Movies

Britpop Icons: Where Are They Now?

BBG News

For the past thirty years, the stars of Britpop have dominated the radio waves – embodying the ultimate cool, both on and off stage, with their youthful charm from the ’90s.

Notable band monikers during that period were Oasis, Blur, Pulp, and The Verve, whose frontmen served as iconic idols within the alternative music scene.

In my perspective, pivotal figures during that era were Justine Frischmann, Damon Albarn, Shirley Manson, and The Gallaghers, who left an indelible mark on our generation with their seemingly effortless style.

This week, a prominent figure from the ’90s indie music scene declared her comeback to the industry, marking two decades since she performed alongside one of the industry giants, Blur.

However, although her announcement was certainly pleasing for fans, Louise Wener, the lead singer of Sleeper, stirred conversations as well due to her significantly changed physical appearance.

The musician, known for his band’s popular songs such as “Nice Guy Eddie” and “What Do I Do Now”, recently graced “The Chris Moyles Show” on Radio X, hinting at their upcoming return.

After examining her, let’s move on to the other luminaries of that legendary period and see what they’ve accomplished since then and their current status.

Justine Frischmann – Elastica

Before moving on to create the ’90s favorites Elastica, she initially garnered recognition with Brett Suede. Elastica subsequently achieved international acclaim, reaching No.1 albums in the U.S. and popular hits like “Waking Up.

Besides her fame in music, Justine is equally recognized for her relationship with Blur frontman Damon Albarn during the peak of the Britpop era.

For seven years, this influential alt-pop duo were romantically involved, and their relationship served as a significant inspiration for Damon Albarn’s songwriting process. This influence was particularly evident in the creation of the songs “Beetlebum” from 1997 and “13” from 1999 on Blur albums.

1998 marked the time when Justine candidly shared with Uncut that she believes Damon found it challenging as Elastica began experiencing some triumphs in the American music scene.

It’s amusing since we both believed ourselves above traditional gender roles, but in hindsight, he considered his role in the group more crucial due to being male. On a subconscious level, I also held that role in higher regard, to some extent.

Since her band Elastica disbanded in 2001, leading to her retirement from music, Justine has resided in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently pursues a career as a visual artist.

She studied art in Boulder, Colorado in 2005 and began exhibiting her work in 2013. 

In 2008, she married Ian Faloona, a professor of meteorology.

Shirley Manson – Garbage

Shirley, recognized for her fiery hair, gained prominence as part of the British group, becoming well-known due to her work with Garbage during the ’90s, where they made a significant impact on the music scene with hits such as “Stupid Girl.

This band, renowned for songs like “I’m Only Happy When It Rains,” embarked on worldwide tours and managed to sell a staggering 17 million records throughout their professional journey.

At the peak of her professional journey, Shirley was primarily stationed in Edinburgh but also divided her time between London and the United States (across the pond).

Mostly residing and employed in Los Angeles, she maintains a residence in Joppa, a suburb located near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Apart from her long-standing dedication to music, Shirley has additionally delved into acting and featured in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles back in 2008.

In 2019, she journeyed to Chile with the intention of contributing to the production of “Peace Peace Now Now,” a documentary that shares accounts of women who defied global armed conflicts.

In the year 2010, Shirley wedded her spouse, Billy Bush, who is a record producer and sound engineer for the band Garbage at that time.

Lauren Laverne – Kenickie

Lauren enjoyed a remarkably prosperous professional journey being associated with BBC 6 Music, yet her beginnings lie in the pop-punk band, Kenickie.

Kenickie, established in 1994, hailed from the city of Sunderland and consisted of four members: lead vocalist Lauren, drummer Johnny X, lead guitarist Marie du Santiago, and bass guitarist Emmy-Kate Montrose.

The band achieved a fair level of fame; their best achievement was reaching number 24 on the Singles Chart with the song “In Your Car.” Their first album, titled “At The Club,” climbed to position 9 in the charts.

On October 15, 1997, the band disbanded after their performance at London’s Astoria. In conclusion, Lauren stated, “We were Kenickie… a group of misfits.

Following her departure from the band, Lauren established herself in the broadcasting industry, becoming particularly renowned for her tenure at BBC 6 Music where she served as the Breakfast Show’s host.

2010 saw the publication of Laverne’s debut novel, which followed the story of a 15-year-old rock enthusiast named Candy Caine as she embarked on a journey to the famous festival site at Glastonbury.

In the year 2005, Laverne tied the knot with TV producer and DJ Graeme Fisher. Since then, they have been residing in Muswell Hill along with their two kids.

More recently, Lauren announced that she’s been diagnosed with cancer and is taking a leave from work for medical treatment.

In November 2024 she announced she had been given the all clear.

Richard Ashcroft – The Verve

Richard is primarily recognized for his role as the emotionally expressive frontman of The Verve, a position that Chris Martin labeled as hosting “the best vocalist in the world.

He’s the mastermind who created the legendary ’90s hit “Bittersweet Symphony,” a song that stirred up controversy due to its sampling of The Rolling Stones’ track “The Last Time.

Consequently, Richard was compelled to transfer ownership of the rights to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. During this period, the song generated approximately $5 million in royalty earnings.

In 2019, Richard’s boss contacted Jody Klein, son of the previous band manager Allen, to ask for the writing credits and royalty payments to be given back.

Jagger and Richards consented to the action, which Richard referred to as “generous” and “gracious” from the rock icons.

After The Verve disbanded in 1999, Richard embarked on a solo career that led to him achieving great success and releasing several UK top-three solo albums.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the legend himself, Richard, continues to captivate audiences with his performances. Notably, he’s been confirmed as one of the opening acts for the highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour.

Since 1995, the musician has been wedded to Kate Radley, well-known from the band Spiritualised. During their union, they’ve become parents to two boys, named Sonny and Cassius.

Jarvis Cocker – Pulp

During the middle of the ’90s, Jarvis, the mastermind behind the band known as Pulp, emerged as a prominent representative of the Britpop music movement.

Originally known as Arabacus Pulp, the band was initially established by him. Over time, the band members experienced multiple changes, and the name was subsequently abbreviated. It wasn’t until the 1990s that they gained widespread recognition.

Initially, Pulp achieved success with their debut albums, His ‘n’ Hers (1994) and Different Class (1995). However, subsequent releases failed to match the same level of popularity.

Notably, Peter Mansell, a past member of Pulp, took action by storming the stage during Michael Jackson’s performance at the BRIT Awards, as a form of protest.

Jarvis, a suspect in an alleged assault case, had Bob Mortimer, a comedian and former lawyer, as his defense attorney during the proceedings. Eventually, no charges were filed against him.

Apart from the group, Jarvis embarked on a solo journey, yet his first solo album titled “Jarvis” didn’t fare well, peaking at position 37 on the music charts. Subsequently, he put out albums in collaboration with others titled “Further Complications” and “Room 29”.

Back in 2017, Jarvis unveiled his plans for forming a new musical group named JARV IS, and he’s been an active member of it up until now.

In the year 2022, Jarv Is unveiled the authentic soundtrack for the BBC’s comedic-dramatic medical series titled “This Is Going To Hurt.

At present, he resides in Shepherd’s Bush, alongside his partner, the creative consultant Kim Sion, whom he has been with since 2007.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share this personal detail about my beloved star. You see, he shares a beautiful bond with his son, born from his marriage to Camille Bidault-Waddington. After their separation, my idol chose to reside in the City of Love itself, Paris, for years on end, ensuring he was an active part of his son’s life and upbringing.

Damon Albarn – Blur

In the ’90s, Damon was often associated with his youthful appearance and mischievous demeanor, as he found himself engaged in a friendly rivalry with the Gallagher Brothers from Oasis.

Unmistakably hip, the band with its distinctive Cockney flair swept through the music charts after unveiling their Parklife album in 1994.

After facing financial hardships and traveling across the U.S. in an attempt to recover their losses, Damon decided to write music that showcased the band’s British roots.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but rave about the legendary record that brought my beloved Blur back to life! The first single off this masterpiece, “Girls & Boys,” earned both critical praise and commercial success, leaving me utterly smitten.

The song “Parklife” debuted at the top of the UK charts and stayed there for an astonishing 90 weeks, making it a significant milestone in the story of Britpop music.

“Parklife” was the number one hit on the UK charts when it was released and continued to be popular for a whopping 90 weeks. This long-lasting success has solidified its place as a key event in the development of Britpop music.

The song “Parklife” achieved the remarkable feat of spending 90 weeks at the top of the UK charts, earning it a spot as a pivotal moment in the history of Britpop.

With an impressive 90-week stint at number one on the UK charts, “Parklife” has come to be seen as a defining milestone in the evolution of Britpop music.

In the world of Britpop, “Parklife” made a lasting impression by spending 90 weeks at the top of the UK charts and is now widely recognized as a landmark event.

The song “Parklife” enjoyed an extended stay at the top of the UK charts for 90 weeks, making it an iconic moment in the history of Britpop music.

Releasing the single “Country House” from their upcoming album contributed to the public feud between Blur and Oasis, famously known as the Britpop War.

Because tensions were escalating among them, Blur and Oasis opted to launch their latest tracks simultaneously, a move that came to be known as the British Heavyweight Championship.

Additionally, Damon is associated with the virtual band Gorillaz, which has garnered widespread acclaim not only in Europe but also beyond.

In my own journey, after parting ways with Justine, I found myself embarking on a 25-year long companionship with Suzi Winstanley – a significant chapter in my personal life.

Or, more casually:
After splitting up with Justine, I’ve been in a 25-year relationship with Suzi Winstanley – quite an interesting turn of events for me!

Although they’ve never tied the knot, this pair has been inseparable since 1998, and they share a 25-year-old daughter named Missy.

The couple split in 2023 with Suzi said to be ‘heartbroken’ over the end of their romance.

The Gallaghers

Back in 1991, I was part of the vibrant Britpop scene that burst onto the music landscape with anthems like “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” and “Stop Crying Your Heart Out.” This iconic group captured the spirit of our generation.

After achieving great success, they became renowned as one of the largest bands in the annals of British music, until disbanding in the year 2009.

The siblings pursued independent and thriving professions, with Noel leading Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds as their main performer.

Supporters of the Manchester-based rock group have been urging the siblings to reunite ever since they split up in 2009, following a fight backstage at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

Back in August 2009, I was absolutely ecstatic to witness them rocking the stage together at V Festival, nestled within Weston Park, Staffordshire. However, just a few days after that unforgettable performance, they shattered my heart by cancelling their headline gig at Rock en Seine festival due to an unfortunate argument.

At that moment, Noel shared: “I’m telling you with a mix of sadness and immense relief that I left Oasis tonight. Many will comment as they wish, but the truth is, I couldn’t bear to work with Liam for even one more day.

Lately, I’ve been utterly fixated on the idea of reconciling with my younger brother and resurrecting our legendary Britpop group. However, every time I try to bring it up, he seems to douse the flame with a bucket of skepticism.

Ever since Noel’s high-profile £20m divorce from Sara MacDonald last year, I can’t help but feel the pull, the magnetic force that seems to be urging us both – me and the band – back together. Apparently, our elder Gallagher has been convinced of the fiscal advantages of this reunion.

Read More

2025-02-02 21:01

Previous post Ethan Suplee’s Shocking Weight Loss Journey: How a Hollywood Star Changed His Life Forever!
Next post Six Invitational 2025 Boston: Teams, format, stream, and results