Topless of the Pops.

Music The All Saints have given a typically brilliant interview for the BBC in which they talk about how they had to deal with sexism in the industry offering a specific example of something which happened on Top of the Pops:

The sexism spilled over into their TV appearances, and the band shudder as they recall a traumatic Top of the Pops taping.

"They were filming images of us to use as a backdrop," says Shaznay, "and they wanted us to take our tops off."

The producers, they explain, wanted to shoot the band from the shoulders up, giving the impression they were performing in the nude.

"The vision was that we looked naked and we didn't want that vision," adds Natalie. "But because it was such a huge show, we were told 'if you don't do it, you don't get to go on the show,'" says Melanie.

"The girl that worked with us was in tears because she was trying to fight our corner," Natalie continues. "We ended up having to compromise with the producers. We dropped our tops to here [indicating her armpits] so it would look like we were topless."

"We did it but we were stroppy about it," says Nicole. "Again, we got labelled as being difficult."

The BBC being the BBC have asked the BBC for a quote:

A BBC spokesman said: "We're not able to comment on something that is alleged to have happened nearly 20 years ago, but today we seek to ensure that everyone working at the BBC does so in an environment in which they are comfortable."

Quite right. Here's the clip:



I'd forgotten Melanie used to wear glasses.  You can see what All Saints mean, a few straps but for some reason, yes, bare shoulders all.

All Snaits.

Music All Saints have a cover story in The Observer today and the interview does the usual business. For example they have to explain to the interviewer what Dinner Date is during a discussion about the kinds of television they watch:

What programmes are we talking about? 

Natalie: All the Housewives …

Melanie: Whatever is the worst TV you can imagine – we watch worse than that [laughs]. I like fighting, swearing …

Nicole: She likes fighting, swearing, drinking. A lot of sex. Mel actually got me into a few that I didn’t even know … Dinner Date.

Sorry, what’s Dinner Date?

Melanie: Whaaaaat!

Nicole: It’s amazing. It’s like Come Dine With Me crossed with Blind Date in someone’s house.

Melanie: There’s no sex on that one though. That’s like a daytime one.

There's also a section about Mel's socks. No, me either.  I wonder if they've ever shopped in All Saints.

Video Reviews: All Saints - One Strike.

Music Nice of the All Saints to make their original fanbase feel at home by shooting a homage to Sugababes's Overload video, transferring it to dvd then videoing the result from an black and white analogue television through a letterbox.  At least Flatline had a beach.  But I suppose after Pure Shores they didn't want to seem derivative.  C-

Updated.  I've since been informed that due to the unique way in which this whole escapade is happening, the above video was self-funded which makes me feel a bit guilty.  So I've pre-ordered the album at Amazon by way of karmic balance.  They're apparently signed copies which is quite something.  I'll add it to the set.

Hello Again, All Saints.

Music Here we go then, the first track from the All Saint's second comeback album and the single, One Strike. As PopJustice notices it sounds like the All Saints without sounding dated. But more than that, unlike Rock Steady, the last attempt which was the grower which didn't grow quick enough (on reflection it was probably ahead of its time), this manages, I think, to feel like a cohesive piece of work and party of the legacy.  Even if the first bit of the vocal sounds like Lily Allen's Smile.