Formed in 1981 London, Bananarama (Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin) is one of the undisputed icons of 80s music. With their melodic pop hooks, outrageous fashion styles and porcelain good looks, the group cracked the international market with "Venus," a catchy dance cover of Shocking Blue's 1970 hit. Combined with a very camp video complete with midriff baring men and wild dance movements, Bananarama instantly became a pop cultural sensation worldwide.
Two years later in 1988, Siobhan would announce her departure from the group. She's replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan, a long time friend who had a cameo appearance together with the girls in the Eurythmics "Who's That Girl" video. Barely months after, Bananarama made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the best selling girl group ever, edging The Supremes off the throne.
As such huge pop culture icons, the facetious comic duo French and Saunders simply had to spoof the band. As Lananeeneenoonoo, the hilarious parody left such an impression that Bananarama teamed up with Lananeeneenoonoo to release "Help" in aid of charity.
In 1991, Jacquie too left the group, leaving Sara and Keren (who had known each other since they were 13) to carry on as a duo. In 2002 however, Siobhan returned to the group for a one-time only reunion performance at London's G-A-Y to celebrate the popular group's 20th Anniversary.
Last year marked Sara and Keren's return to the limelight once more as their single "Move In My Direction" made a comeback to the British Charts. The single can be found in their latest album Drama and MTVAsia's Gabriel Leong gets to chat to Keren in an exclusive email interview all about the drama in their lives.
Your new album's out and it’s called Drama. Why did you choose such an interesting title that rhymes?
To be honest, it's called Drama only because it rhymes, and we couldn’t think of anything else.
Are you ladies a bit of drama queens yourself occasionally?
Not in the sense we make unreasonable demands, but sometimes drama just seems to happen to us.
What's the inspiration behind the songs on Drama?
I'm generally inspired by vibes or sounds from stuff I listen to, then each individual backing track suggests where a track should go as it builds.
I saw the video for "Look On The Floor" and the two of you look amazing. How do you manage to still look so good?
A good lighting cameraman always helps! I don't do that much to stay in shape, just a bit of tennis and horse riding.
It took me years before I realized your "Venus" was a cover of Shocking Blue's version. Did you ever think your version would be such a phenomenal hit? Everyone identifies "Venus" with Bananarama after all. What made you decide to cover this song? And why choose to do a new version of it in your new album?
I wish we had written it. We made the guy who did very rich indeed. It was one of the songs we started doing at the very beginning of the group before we started writing, along with "Really Saying Something." Marc Almond loved the song and wanted to remix it. We loved the mix so decided to put it on the album as a bonus track.
Do you see yourselves as icons of 80's pop music? What about being gay icons helmed alongside others like Madonna, Cher etc? Did you expect to be so popular amongst the gay populace?
People always say we’re 80's icons or gay icons. It's very flattering, but not something I ever really think about. We didn't set out to appeal to the gay market, but gay clubs are my favourite gigs, and I have more gay friends than girlfriends so something obviously clicks.
One of the songs on the new album is called "Rules Of Attraction." Incidentally, you had a brief cameo in the movie with the same title as well. How did that happen? Is there any relation between the song and the movie?
How did you know?! I was having a drink and was introduced to the director (Roger Avary), who was filming that evening so I hung out with them. It was fun, but I turned down the chance to do a sex scene. Which might have meant me being featured a little more than the couple of seconds I was in it for. We just thought it was a good title for a song. The book is also really good.
Bananarama has been a duo for about 10 years now haven't you? Did Siobhans' departure come as a shock? And how did it affect the both of you?
Siobhans' departure wasn't exactly a shock but we were quite upset by it.
Do you still keep in touch with Siobhan or Jacqui?
We sometimes see Siobhan now, but not Jacqui.
Has becoming parents changed you lifestyles much? Do you think it reflects in your music?
Being a mum and a popstar was sometimes tricky to organise, but never a major problem. I think hearing the music your kids listen to helps keep you in touch, which might end up influencing the music we write.
Madonna recently said her daughter's embarrassed by her when she picks her up from school. Do you have the same issue with your kids?
My son thinks it's great. He came to a show and was quite surprised at how wild the crowd went.
What do you think of the girl bands out there today? Like say Girls Aloud, Spice Girls and Sugababes
We've never really thought of ourselves as a girl group. Our beginnings have more in common with an indie band. (In 1981, they were living above the rehearsal room used by former Sex Pistols's members Steve Jones and Paul Cook. with their help, Bananarama recorded "Aie a Mwana" which became an underground hit.)
Would you team up with Jennifer Saunders again?
I love what she does and would love to do something with her.
Bananarama has a significant fan base throughout Asia and especially Japan. Will you be coming over to this side of the globe anytime soon to promote the new album?
We were in Tokyo just before christmas, and can't wait to go back. Hopefully we can do some shows all over Asia