The Pipettes

[Lauren Curtis]

The promoter, performer and guitarist Monster Bobby formed the group in mid-2003 with the intention of reviving the traditional Phil Spector pop sound and giving it a modern twist. According to interviews, it was to this end that he recruited three frontwomen to be the public face of the group.[1] [2] An alternative report has it that the group was founded as an experiment in manufactured pop by Bobby and founder member Julia Clark-Lowes after the latter had read Bill Drummond (and Jimmy Cauty)'s The Manual.[3] The male backing musicians (officially called "The Cassettes", although members have emphasised that the band is officially a seven piece) rarely appear in interviews or promo photos, adding mystique and emphasising the role of the singers. The group settled on a lineup in mid 2004 and after losing founding member Julia (now a member of The Indelicates) in early 2005 have progressed apace. The three frontwomen wear polka dot dresses and synchronised choreography is a major part of their live shows.

Three extremely limited edition vinyl releases were released in 2005, leading to the group being signed to Memphis Industries shortly after touring with the same label's The Go! Team amongst others. They released their first full single and undertook several headline dates of their own in addition to some high profile support slots with the likes of The Magic Numbers and British Sea Power. Debut album "We Are The Pipettes" was released in England on July 17, 2006 and reached #41.