...it's apathy on all levels that is depressing this country. Music has been suffering for years, but today apathy is like a disease that is spreading through every area of life. People seem to be retreating into themselves and becoming selfish, rather than going out and actually doing something.
Alex Taylor / Shop Assistants interview, NME, 1985
I accept that as musicians we ourselves can't change anything - we can't become revolutionary leaders - but I think that if we can write songs, songs that we believe in, then we stand a chance of breaking down at least some of that apathy.
The SHOP ASSISTANTS recorded their first of two sessions for John Peel's Radio One programme on this day in 1985 at Maida Vale 5.
The average view is that all girls can do in groups is look pretty and sing. I think it's good that all the girls in The Shop Assistants are instrumentalists, and good musicians too!
Alex Taylor / Shop Assistants interview, NME, 1985
What separates us from other 'girl' groups like, say, Bananarama is anger. I don't want to sound 1976-ish or anything, but there's a lot to get angry about at the moment...