Shop Assistants

Shop Assistants were a Scottish indie pop group formed in Edinburgh in 1984, originally known as Buba & the Shop Assistants. Their breakthrough came with the single "Something to Do" on Villa21 Records, produced by Stephen Pastel. A new line-up, featuring lead vocalist Alex Taylor, guitarist David Keegan, bassist Sarah Neale, and drummer Laura McPhail recorded the 1985 Shopping Parade EP, released on The Subway Organization, which included the track "All Day Long". In 1986 the band signed to Chrysalis Records’ sub‑label Blue Guitar and released the single "I Don't Wanna Be Friends with You" (UK Number 77) and the album Shop Assistants (UK Number 100), the latter being reissued on CD in 2001 under the title Will Anything Happen and on vinyl with additional tracks in 2024. The group appeared on NME’s C86 compilation with the track "It's Up to You" and recorded sessions for BBC Radio One hosts Janice Long and John Peel, earning spots in Peel’s Festive Fifty in 1985 and 1986. After disbanding in early 1987 when Alex Taylor departed, the band reformed in 1989–1990, releasing the singles "Here It Comes" and "Big 'E' Power" on Avalanche Records and contributing a cover of the Rolling Stones’ "Respectable" to the tribute album Stoned Again – A Tribute to The Rolling Stones. The group dissolved again shortly thereafter, with former member David Keegan later joining the Pastels.

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