 01/04/2005 BORN: RACHAEL - ABERDEEN, JAMES - BIRMINGHAM
AGE:29
MUSICAL STYLE: DIRTY BEATS
Beauty School began life around two years ago as the merging of two existing talents - Rachael Stewart and James Atkin; Rachael previously worked with FC Kahuna and French dance band Telepopmusik, while James was the front man of EMF. Their style is hard to describe - it's electric guitar-based dance with a punky edge, an acid house vibe and pop hooks that even Mylo would be proud of - and they're about to release their debut single, 'Beatbox Baby'.
What is your biggest achievement?
Doing a 60 Second interview in Notion, of course!
Who are your musical heroes?
The Clash, Madonna, The Chemical Brothers, Betty Boo, Beastie Boys, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, New Order and The Smiths.
Tell us about Beauty School…
As Beauty School we don't have a definitive sound and we are quite tricky to pigeonhole. Whatever we produce, it always has a trashy edge to it. We use old drum machines through Marshall Stacks to get the sound as filthy as possible. Add some electric guitar and punky vox and you have the Beauty School sound. Often people classify our sound as electro but we just have to agree to disagree on that one! Live, you'll see James on electric guitar strutting across the stage behind a pair of dark shades and Rachael running around like a Ritalin-induced juvenile delinquent! For the first single we teamed up with Julian Napolitano, also on TCR (one half of JDS) to present the clubbing masses with a breakbeat-tinged track but still with that punk attitude edge. We've already been played on Radio 1 by Judge Jules and Paul Oakenfold contacted the label declaring it a hit! Not that we like to blow our own trumpets or anything...
What do you see yourself doing in the future?
We want to keep our music fresh and keep pushing musical boundaries. Failing that, we will be doing the usual - cousin's wedding party, neighbour's cat's funeral, that kind of thing.
Are there any artists you would like to work with?
We would love to do some work with Jagz Kooner - we actually know him, so Jagz if you're reading this give us a call, mate. Also Plump DJs are consistently good!! Peaches would be cool to do a duet with as long as l [Rachael] get to shout louder than her and swear more! And Liam Howlett from The Prodigy - he's our favourite!
Describe Beauty School in five words…
One big fat hairy noise.
What makes you happy?
Love, peace and harmony. Crisps of the salt and vinegar variety - the stronger the flavour, the bigger the smile! Big fat royalty cheques. Being the only pop stars in the village - that's not true actually, Mark Owen lives round the corner.
And what makes you angry?
Technology not doing as it should! Bombing countries for no reason. Being misunderstood. Being called an electroclash band. Being told that making music isn't a proper job! Having to sit in your Nissan Micra to listen to old dance tapes on a shitty stereo after a night out because your mates are complaining about you making too much noise indoors!!
Who would you invite to dinner and why?
Robert Smith - last time he met James, he fronted him at an award show because he thought James had called him a fat c**t! But if he did come over for dinner we reckon he could eat for England! Bez, coz he's just won 'Celebrity Big Brother' and owes us a tenner! Chas & Dave - for a good old post-dinner knees up around the old Joanna. No dinner party is the same without them!
What was the last CD you bought?
LCD Soundsystem's 'Daft Punk Is Playing At My House'.
If not music makers then what?
Sheep dippers!
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