Biography
The group came together in 1986 through the songwriting team of Deborah Wykes and Hester Smith, both formerly of Dolly Mixture. Born on 21 December 1960 in Hammersmith, London, England, Wykes contributed guitar and vocals, while Smith, born 28 October 1960 in West Africa, handled drums. Completing the original lineup were Nicky Brodie on vocals and percussion, Patricia O’Flynn on saxophone after her time with the Shillelagh Sisters, Leigh Luscious on guitar, and Claire Kenny on bass following her stint in Amazulu; Sophie Cherry later assumed the bass role.
Blending melodic pop with dance rhythms in a manner the members labeled ‘ballroom soul’, the ensemble paired this sound with pointed, sardonic words. In the song ‘I Could Have Been Your Girlfriend (If You’d Asked Me To)’, Wykes sang: ‘She’s so dumb, she’s so sweet/I didn’t think she’d last a week... She’s so pretty she’s so fine, she is such a waste of time/Well so she’s cute, well I don’t care, she’s got stinking underwear!’.
They placed their signature with Billy Bragg’s Utility Records label and delivered a single album in 1989. Already in 1987 the band had performed throughout the UK alongside the pop-socialist collective Red Wedge.
Although lineup adjustments continued, Wykes, Smith and Brodie remained central, reaching a steadier configuration in 1990 by adding Tony Watts on lead guitar, Midus on bass and Jane Keay on saxophone. Disappointment with the industry’s fixation on passing fashions finally brought the project to an end in March 1991, yet a catalogue of enduring pop material remained. Wykes subsequently collaborated with Saint Etienne and formed Birdie alongside that band’s guitarist Paul Kelly.
Blending melodic pop with dance rhythms in a manner the members labeled ‘ballroom soul’, the ensemble paired this sound with pointed, sardonic words. In the song ‘I Could Have Been Your Girlfriend (If You’d Asked Me To)’, Wykes sang: ‘She’s so dumb, she’s so sweet/I didn’t think she’d last a week... She’s so pretty she’s so fine, she is such a waste of time/Well so she’s cute, well I don’t care, she’s got stinking underwear!’.
They placed their signature with Billy Bragg’s Utility Records label and delivered a single album in 1989. Already in 1987 the band had performed throughout the UK alongside the pop-socialist collective Red Wedge.
Although lineup adjustments continued, Wykes, Smith and Brodie remained central, reaching a steadier configuration in 1990 by adding Tony Watts on lead guitar, Midus on bass and Jane Keay on saxophone. Disappointment with the industry’s fixation on passing fashions finally brought the project to an end in March 1991, yet a catalogue of enduring pop material remained. Wykes subsequently collaborated with Saint Etienne and formed Birdie alongside that band’s guitarist Paul Kelly.
Albums
Singles
