Fronted by the hugely charismatic Clare Grogan, Altered Images were briefly one of the biggest, brightest fixtures in British music in the early 1980s. Arriving as spiky New Wave operators, the Glaswegians morphed into a slick pop machine in their four years together. Arguably their strongest LP, the band’s third album 1983s ‘Bite’ which was to be the last of their initial run saw production geniuses Tony Visconti and Mike Chapman helming half of the songs each. Splitting later that year, Grogan resurrected the group name full=time in 2021 and has been touring ever since. The current tour sees the band essay ‘Bite’ in full, alongside hit singles and recent material. Arriving on stage to the strains of ‘Shiny Happy People’, the ‘Images’ output genuinely did embody the ethos of the R.E.M. standard, a combination of Grogan’s instantly recognisable vocals and upbeat guitar jangle. Referencing the cover art of ‘Bite’which featured the singer in full Holly Golightly regalia, Clare enters in an Audrey Hepburn-esque black ballgown and bug eye shades. While their songwriting ability was clearly evident, Altered Images’ early era embodied the DIY ethos of punk. Which, put politely meant their live performances were somewhat erratic. The group’s ramshackle 1981 Old Grey Whistle Test appearance was so disorganised the members almost appear to be playing in different time zones. The polar opposite is true in the present day as Grogan’s impressively ageless voice is backed by a superbly well-drilled ensemble. Teasing out its funk roots, opener ‘Bring Me Closer’ grooves along like Chic, while ‘Another Lost Look’ meshes trebly guitar lines and helter skelter bass work to sterling effect. Possibly the apogee of the group’s career, Donna Summer meets Talking Heads floorfiller ‘Don’t Talk To Me About Love’ is one of the best singles of its decade. With the original album only extending to thirty-seven minutes, the quintet take a fifteen minute intermission and costume change prior to the second set. Supplying the here’s-what-we’ve-been-working-on-recently element, three tracks from 2022’s ‘Mascara Streakz’, the band’s first album in almost forty years features alongside the joyous ‘I Could Be Happy’. The newer material slots into the set seamlessly, Bernard Butler co-write ‘Glitterball’ gleaming brightest. Winding the clock right back to the beginning, what 1981 debut single ‘Dead Pop Stars’ loses in terms of unsettling post-punk abrasion, it gains in rhythmic power courtesy of the pinpoint drummer. The final song of the night with entirely welcome inevitability is the band’s calling card, ‘Happy Birthday’, which sees the crowd emulate the quintet’s formation bobbing around the stage. Excellent proof of how well the Glaswegians’ material has dated, with roughly three albums worth of songs to their name, the ‘Images would be well advised to schedule tours celebrating their rest of their catalogue soon.
Band Links:-
http://alteredimages.band/https://www.facebook.com/ImagesAltered
https://twitter.com/AlteredImages5
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-



intro
Richard Lewis watches post-punk pop of the highest order as the Eighties outfit Altered Images deliver their classic album ‘Bite’ in full
soundcloud
reviews |
Mascara Streakz (2022) |
![]() |
Innovative first album in thirty-nine years from acclaimed Glasgow pop outfit Altered Images |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Sukie Smith - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Kim Wilde - Photoscapes
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Doris Brendel - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Pulp - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jay Reatard - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
related articles |
Hipsway: Interview (2016 |
![]() |
Grahame Skinner talks to John Clarkson about the reissue of his 80's Glaswegian band Hipsway's eponymous debut album in a thirtieth anniversary edition and their decision to reform for shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart