Wendy Wu

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(Redirected from The Photos)

For the Disney Channel Original Movie, see Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.

Wendy Wu, 1980
Photo by Tom Sanders

Wendy Wu was the female lead singer of the 1980s band, The Photos.

The Photos were originally a punk band named Satans Rats that formed in Evesham, Worcestershire in 1977. In 1979 Wu took over as singer. The band, with Steve Eagles (guitar & vocals), Dave Sparrow (bass guitar & vocals and Olly Harrison (drums & percussion), released a self-titled album (Epic, 1980) and number of singles. These included "I'm so Attractive" and "Barbarellas" (concerning the closure of a Birmingham nightclub).

The album was successful, reaching number 4 in the UK Albums Chart,^[1] and Wu's picture was briefly a regular item in the music press. The album was supported by the group performing numerous concerts around the UK. The album was later re-released in CD format, although only a limited number of copies were pressed. The CD was re-released in October 2007 by Cherry Red Records, the label originally due to have signed the band before they were contracted to CBS. The re-release includes some additional tracks including "I'm So Attractive".

They released several singles in the UK including "I'm So Attractive". which was added to the U.S. album release. "I'm So Attractive" was not included on the CD that was released in 1999, along with eight additional tracks from the never before released EP known as the 'Blackmail Tapes' (although the 'Blackmail Tapes' was included as a separate 12" vinyl with early releases of the original album in the UK).

Their scheduled appearance on BBC Television's Top of the Pops was cancelled due to industrial action. A second album, Crystal Tips and Mighty Mice, was not released at the time, although a number of test-pressing copies surfaced on the collector's market. The second album was finally released by Cherry Red Records in 2008.

Wu went on to release some generally poorly-received solo singles and joined Steve Strange to form Strange Cruise in 1986. Steve Eagles became guitarist in Ted Milton's Blurt.

The Photos meanwhile continued with various different lead singers, and later reformed with Wu for a one-off gig at London's Marquee Club, before finally disbanding.