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Altered Images – the Scottish new wave post-punk band that rose to prominence and success as a quintet in the early 80s – are back with their first album in 39 years, Mascara Streakz.

Official Charts looks back on the band’s varied career and reveals for the first time the official Top 10 most streamed songs from Altered Images in the UK.

Formed in Glasgow in 1979, schoolmates Clare Grogan (vocals), Gerard “Caesar” McInulty (guitar), Michael “Tich” Anderson (drums), Tony McDaid (guitar) and Johnny McElhone (bass guitar) were invited to playing with British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, after taking a punt and sending a demo to the band’s manager.

It was enough to attract the attention of DJ John Peel, who invited the band to record a Peel Session in October 1980, which offered them a recording contract with Epic Records.

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Altered Images’ first single, Dead Pop Stars, was released in early 1981, modestly debuting in the Top 75 where it peaked at number 67 a week later. Their next single, A Day’s Wait, was not so lucky and ended up missing the chart entirely; it was time to rethink.

Enter Altered Images’ second album; whose title track, Happy Birthday, became their first big hit, spending three weeks at number 2 in late October 1981. “We made a very conscious decision to go a little more pop,” Clare told Classic Pop about their sound change. , “and easier to connect.”

Chart Fact – Happy Birthday was topped by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin’s It’s My Party, and Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police.

Altered Images kicked off 1982 with another Top 10 hit, I Could Be Happy, the first track from their second album Pinky Blue. Much more pop than their debut, Pinky Blue became the band’s biggest hit on the Official Albums Chart, reaching number 12.

The following year saw another reshuffle within the band’s ranks and a brilliant new disco outburst on the third LP Bite. The album reached number 16 on the Official Albums Chart and lead single Don’t Talk To Me About Love which became their third Top 10 hit, peaking at number 7.

Altered Images announced their split towards the end of 1983. Their influence continued, however, as Clare has since been cited as the inspiration for Spandau Ballet’s number 1 hit True.

And that was it…until now.

Altered Images is back, the new album Mascara Streakz. co-written by Clare and produced with husband and band alumni Steve Lironi, marks the band’s first new original music since 1983. Former Suede guitarist (and recent Mercury Prize nominee) Bernard Butler also played a role. decisive in the group’s return to the studio. .

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The new album also features contributions from Bobby Bluebell of the Bluebells.

On the eve of the release of Mascara Streakz, Clare tells OfficialCharts.com readers:

“At midnight tonight my first new music in a very long time is being sent out into the world. I’m incredibly emotional about this for all sorts of reasons. I didn’t do this alone. I was surrounded by people incredibly talented along the way. The love and support I’ve received so far has been overwhelming at times. You see deep down, I’m still that girl in my room dreaming of being a Popstar.

I don’t know what that says about me, I’m so blessed to have you all with me. I have to make a record that I love with people that I love, it was a moment that changed my life. I’m a survivor, I think we all are, but out of all of these survivors, I had the best of times and trust me, I’m really going to enjoy this MASCARA STREAKZ moment. Huge LOVE and THANK YOU to my husband Stephen Lironi, my friends Bernard Butler and Robert Hodgens – you three have kept my dream alive.

Be nice Be real Be you.

love and respect

Claire xxx”

As fans wait for the new record to land, the official charts have been busy analyzing data from the band’s catalog to reveal for the first time which of their tracks are connecting the most with UK audiences in the age of streaming.

Official Top 10 Most Streamed Songs from Altered Images

Their latest Top 10 hit, Don’t Talk To Me About Love, topped the list with 6.6 million audio and video streams. The band’s biggest hit, Happy Birthday, came in second with over 5.1 million streams, while I Could Be Happy was third, with over 3 million streams.

Rounding out the all-time chart is the inclusion of Top 40 hit Bring Me Closer (6), Pinky Blue (8) and the band’s debut single, Dead Pop Stars (9).

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Photo: David Scheinman