Altered Images

Altered Images

Altered Images formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1979, with founding members Clare Grogan (vocals), Gerard “Caesar” McInulty (guitar), Johnny McElhone (bass), Tony McDaid (guitar), and Michael "Tich" Anderson (drums). In 1980 Clare appeared in Bill Forsyth's film Gregory's Girl which helped to bring attention to the band, and after sending a demo to Siouxsie & The Banshees they secured an opening slot for their 1980 tour. This association soon resulted in the choice of Banshees bassist Steven Severin to produce AI's first recorded work. Read more on Last.fm

Appearances

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Performance Statistics

Below is a breakdown of the artist's performance types. Repeat performances are not counted, unless stated otherwise.

Mimed

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Satellite

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Artist Appearances

Episode Performance
14/03/1996 Happy Birthday
Mimed Performance
23/03/1983 Don't Talk To Me About Love
Mimed Performance
15/04/1982 See Those Eyes
Audience Dancing
25/03/1982 See Those Eyes
Mimed Performance
14/01/1982 I Could Be Happy
Mimed Performance
Christmas Day 1981 Happy Birthday
Mimed Performance
24/12/1981 I Could Be Happy
Mimed Performance
17/12/1981 I Could Be Happy
Audience Dancing
12/11/1981 Happy Birthday
Audience Dancing
29/10/1981 Happy Birthday
Mimed Performance
15/10/1981 Happy Birthday
Mimed Performance
01/10/1981 Happy Birthday
Mimed Performance

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This content was taken from the BBC's original TOTP2 website, which was archived and discontinued in 2007. The original content is no longer available, but the TOTP Archive has preserved it. Please note that the content may not be up-to-date and may not accurately reflect today's views and opinions.

Interview date: Circa 2003

Claire Grogan's girlish glee and innocent pout made her the '80s most glamorous frontwoman. Any chance of an Altered Images comeback?

Question

Is pop music better or worse now than in the '80s?

Answer

Well, a good record is a good record, whatever era it comes from. I've always loved disposable pop music. The nature of pop is disposable. It's not supposed to be around forever. The nostalgia fad for the '80s does baffle me but then again I'm hooked on it myself. I think music was far more tribal in the '80s, you had punks, new romantics, Goths, etc. That was interesting. You don't get that now.

Question

Pop Idol TV? Devil spawn or a genuine hotbed of creative talent?

Answer

I have mixed reactions to those Pop Idol and Popstars shows. I like to watch them but at the same time it is manufactured. All this synchronised dancing is a bit stage school for me. Who knows if any of them will have long careers. I do think that record companies should invest more in the long term future of British bands. I do think something will give quite soon with this glut of boy and girl bands. It can't be sustained forever. Something will come along as a reaction to it.

Question

Regrets? Have you had a few?

Answer

I don't have any. I wouldn't be the person I am now if I hadn't gone through those experiences. I didn't do it to be famous or rich. We just wanted to make music. We didn't bother much about contracts or money and consequently we lost a lot of money too. Younger artists now tend to walk around with a pocket calculator and that's good in a way. You have to try and hang on to your money. We were just living our fantasy and not really thinking about a career.

Question

What did you spend your first ever royalty cheque on?

Answer

Well, I only got my first royalty cheque last year! There's been an ongoing legal battle that has lasted years which meant I didn't get paid for ages. But even at the height of our success we were all on a wage. I was earning £45 a week back in 1982! The most I ever earned from Epic Records was £75 in one week. It was frustrating I guess but then you don't miss what you don't know.

Question

Siouxsie Sioux and Steve Severin from the Banshees took you under their wing and helped you get a deal. Do you still keep in touch?

Answer

Not really although I bump into Siouxsie from time to time. I'm still incredibly in awe of her when I see her. I never really know what to say to her. She was brilliant. She had such style and presence. She made such a great pop star.

Question

A little bit of politics? It never really influenced your music did it?

Answer

Well, coming from Scotland everyone voted Labour anyway. I was shocked when I first came to London to meet young people who actually voted Tory. I hated that 'Greed Is Good' ethic of the '80s. But then the band didn't really have a political message. I wouldn't have known how to include politics in our music anyway. We left it to the Sex Pistols to make the big statements. But two of the guys in the band, their dads were Scottish Labour MPs. We were 'political' without being political as a band.

Question

Was there any discrimination towards women in the industry back then?

Answer

Women were treated as a bit of a novelty in the music business back in 1981. There was a certain dismissiveness about female performers. But to be honest I wasn't desperate to be taken seriously. I didn't give a toss what people thought of me. I just wanted to enjoy myself and have a good time. I didn't examine anything too deeply.

Question

So, you're on the Here and Now tour this Christmas. Sad '80s novelty act time or the start of a comeback?

Answer

To be honest, I couldn't have imagined doing this tour a few years ago. My life is very different now to 18 years ago. I have a successful career in acting. I'm married to Shawn who used to be a guitarist in the band. Next year I'm starring in this British movie, a psychological thriller called 10am which is exciting. But to be honest it's just ego making me do this tour. The promoter persuaded me and I couldn't resist the chance of playing Wembley Arena. We didn't play there the first time. I was reluctant at first but then I spoke to Kim Wilde and she said don't worry about it, just enjoy it. I'm only doing four songs, 'Happy Birthday', 'I Could Be Happy', 'Don't Talk', 'See Those Eyes'. It's hardly a gruelling routine each night!

Question

So you're not worried that this tour might diminish the legacy of the mighty Images?

Answer

You know what? I'm 40 years old now and I really don't bother with things like that. It doesn't matter. I've always had a tendency to over analyse things. It's a chance to relive a great moment in my life and you shouldn't take pop music too seriously. It's all nonsense anyway!