Altered Images

Altered Images are a Scottish new wave and post-punk group from Glasgow, active from 1979 to 1983. Their line-up includes Clare Grogan on vocals, Johnny McElhone on bass, Tony McDaid on guitar, Stephen Lironi, and Tich Anderson. The band’s early history also includes Gerard “Caesar” McInulty on guitar and Michael “Tich” Anderson on drums.

Early years and breakthrough

Formed in Glasgow in 1979, Altered Images gain wider attention after Clare Grogan appears in Bill Forsyth’s film Gregory’s Girl in 1980. A demo sent to Siouxsie & The Banshees leads to support slots on their 1980 tour, and this connection results in Banshees bassist Steven Severin producing the band’s first recorded work. After the tour, with support from John Peel, the band signs to Epic.

Their first singles, “Dead Pop Stars” and “A Day’s Wait,” begin to establish their sound. Epic then brings in producer Martin Rushent, whose work with acts including the Buzzcocks, the Stranglers, and Generation X points the band towards a more commercial approach. Rushent and second guitarist Jim McKinven help shape “Happy Birthday,” which becomes the band’s breakthrough hit and gives its title to the album of the same name. Severin produces the rest of the album.

Albums and singles

In 1982 Rushent returns to produce Pinky Blue, a more upbeat record than its predecessor. The album includes the singles “I Could Be Happy,” “See Those Eyes,” and “Pinky Blue,” all of which move further towards a commercial pop sound while keeping Clare Grogan’s distinctive vocal style. The band also records a cover of Del Shannon’s “Little Town Flirt” for the Party Party soundtrack in 1982.

After Pinky Blue, Altered Images replace Anderson and McKinven with Steve Lironi on guitar and drums. Their next album, Bite from 1983, is produced by Tony Visconti and Mike Chapman. It shifts to a slick disco-influenced sound in an effort to reach a wider audience. “Don’t Talk to Me About Love” gives the band further radio success and reaches the Top 10 in the UK.

Image, touring and split

Bite also marks a major change in image, with the cover showing Clare Grogan alone in a black evening gown rather than the whole band. Grogan says in interview that the new look is deliberate and not intended as a permanent uniform. The video for “Don’t Talk to Me About Love” presents a contrasting, informal image.

Following a UK and North American tour in 1983 with added members David Wilde on drums and Jim Prime on keyboards, the group breaks up.

After the split

After Altered Images end, Clare Grogan returns to acting and appears in Comfort and Joy, Red Dwarf, EastEnders, and as host of a Sky Movies television programme. She also records material for a planned solo album called Trash Mad in 1987; only the 12-inch single “Love Bomb” is released from those sessions. From 1989 to 1990, Grogan and Steve Lironi perform occasionally as Universal Love School without issuing recordings. Grogan also makes guest appearances on recordings by other artists, including “This Grudge” on Bionic in 1996 and “Night Falls Like a Grand Piano” on Hyacinths and Thistles in 2000.

Gerard “Caesar” McInulty goes on to form The Wake after the first two Peel Sessions. Johnny McElhone forms Hipsway in 1984, later best known for “The Honeythief” from their 1986 self-titled album, before later forming Texas. Steve Lironi moves into production, songwriting and session work, working with Dot Allison, Black Grape, Hanson and Bon Jovi. In 2002, Altered Images announce a reforming for a series of Christmas shows for the Here And Now 80s revival tour.

Style

The band is associated with jangle pop, new wave, post-punk, sophisti-pop and twee pop, and is an example of an 1980s Scottish new wave/post-punk group.