The NME dubbed them 'The Kylie and Dannii of Baby Tears Punk Rock Pop', and prior to embarking on their own career, they produced a fanzine, 'Last Exit', devoted to the Manic Street Preachers, and even appeared in the band's video for 'Little Baby Nothing'.
They met Bob Stanley from St.Etienne, and convinced him to put out a single on his Icerink label. 'Blisters and Bruises' became a Melody Maker single of the week on it's release, offering a punky rock guitar sound and lyrics that were both teasing and tough at the same time.
The follow-up, 'Bouffant Headbutt' was a more aggressive affair, depicting one side of a teenage girl-fight - "When I get you outside . . . you're f**king dead!" - and the music too offered a better production and a rockier, harder guitar sound.
Obviously impressed by this, Food Records took on the band, and they were rewarded instantly with a smash hit in 'Trouble'. The subsequent album 'We Are Shampoo' continued the teenage theme of getting into scrapes and offering contempt to their elders, and spawned further singles 'Viva La Megababes' and 'Delicious'. The BBC helped to further raise their profile by using 'Trouble' to publicise a televised Frank Bruno boxing bout.
The pre-Spice Girls 'Girl Power' single and second album returned to the harder sound of 'Bouffant Headbutt', and featured a cover version of The Waitresses 'I Know What Boys Like'.
The band had also achieved massive success in Japan since their debut album, and the relative disinterest shown by the UK market saw the band concentrate on overseas promotion.
A third album was released under their own steam in 2000, having departed from Food Records, and was written and produced by St Etienne. The album was initially only available via their official website, and was largely ignored by the music press. The duo have remained silent ever since, and may possibly have split, as their official website is no longer online.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE SHAMPOO: Manic Street Preachers, Bis, Spice Girls, Alisha's Attic, Saint Etienne, The Waitresses, Transvision Vamp, Holly & the Italians, Kylie Minogue.