The story of Shampoo, the brash, rule-breaking punk-pop duo of the 1990s, is a tale of vodka-swilling antics, hotel room destruction, and a spicy proposition for Ant and Dec. From their explosive debut to their unexpected influence on modern pop icons, Jacqui Blake and Carrie Askew carved a unique path through the music industry that continues to resonate today.
The Origins of a Punk-Pop Phenomenon
Best friends Jacqui Blake and Carrie Askew first connected at secondary school in Plumstead, London, where the seeds of their audacious musical partnership were sown. Their journey began not with music, but with a fanzine dedicated to indie band The Manic Street Preachers, called Last Exit. This grassroots project saw them follow the band on tour, selling copies and even appearing in their video for Little Baby Nothing.
It was the band's manager, Martin Hall, who recognised their bold attitude and helped birth Shampoo. The duo's playful name originated from a playground nickname—the shampoo girls—because they'd often decline dates by claiming they were washing their hair. In a 2019 interview with Q Magazine, Jacqui admitted, "We didn’t even realise we were in a band. People would just say, ‘Do you want to do this?’ and we’d go, ‘yeah alright then.’ We never thought we’d be in a band because... we can’t sing."
Breaking into the Mainstream with Trouble
Despite their self-professed lack of vocal prowess, Shampoo's punk-inspired debut single, Blisters and Bruises, released in 1993 on a label run by members of Saint Etienne, caught attention. Their follow-up, Bouffant Headbutt, infused with Riot Grrrl influences, won praise from rock music press like NME and Melody Maker.
However, it was their shift to a more mainstream direction on the same label as Blur that propelled them to fame. Their third single, Trouble, soared to number 11 in the UK charts and featured in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, later covered by the cast of St Trinian's. The success of their debut album, We Are Shampoo, landed them on the cover of Smash Hits and performances on Top of the Pops.
The Wild Lifestyle and Legendary Antics
Shampoo's rise to popularity did little to tame their rebellious spirit. They bridged the gap between indie and pop, with Jacqui noting in a 2024 Euphoriazine interview, "Back then, you were either indie or pop, but we managed to kind of do both at the same time." Carrie added, "I couldn’t have just done the pop stuff. It was fun, but it was great being a part of the indie scene as well."
Their love for boozing and partying became legendary. On the Smash Hits tour, while other bands adhered to strict routines, Shampoo were "just sitting there drinking vodka and smoking cigarettes," as Carrie recalled. Their antics peaked during a 1994 interview with journalist Caitlin Moran in Paris, where they trashed a room at the upmarket Paris Hilton Hotel, incurring a £2,000 bill and leaving Moran with stickers on her face and a hangover.
International Fame and the Girl Power Legacy
Simultaneously, Shampoo became a sensation in Japan, where Shampoomania took hold. Fans adored their edgy style—platform boots, brightly coloured PVC trousers, and messy makeup. Japanese pop magazines featured stories about their "mental" Shepherd’s Bush flat, stocked with sweets and collectable dolls rather than food.
In a twist of fate, the band released the single Girl Power in 1996, with an album of the same name, just a week before the Spice Girls' debut Wannabe. While the Spice Girls popularised the mantra, Shampoo had adopted it from their feminist Riot Grrrl roots. Despite this, sales were disappointing, and after releasing Absolute Shampoo in 2000 online, the duo quietly stepped away.
Life After the Spotlight and Comeback Rumours
Carrie explained their hiatus to Q Magazine, saying, "We never said, 'let's split up', we just took some time off. And then that ended up being a bit more time and a bit more and it just fizzed out really. We wanted to settle down and have kids. It just came to a natural end."
Yet, their influence endured. Charli XCX has cited Trouble as an inspiration for her album Sucker, praising Shampoo as "the original Spice Girls" with a "sick look." Miley Cyrus recently covered their single Delicious for a Gucci perfume campaign, which Jacqui called "the best thing that’s happened to us."
A New Generation's Interest
Over three decades after their debut, there's a renewed appetite for Shampoo. Both Jacqui and Carrie's daughters admire their style and encourage a relaunch. The duo have updated social media pages on Instagram and Facebook, released a complete discography box set in 2024, and sell retro merchandise, thrilling fans eager for a comeback.
Carrie remains cautious, stating, "We haven’t said yes, and we haven’t said no. I mean, nothing’s been offered to us yet, so we don’t know. We’re just gonna go with the flow and see what happens." As the punk-pop pioneers reflect on their wild ride from vodka binges to potential revival, their legacy as original girl power icons continues to spark curiosity and admiration.
