Altered Images emerged as one of the defining acts of early 1980s Scottish new wave and post-punk scenes. Formed in 1979, the band gained a significant following with their buoyant synth-pop and post-punk sounds punctuated by lead singer Clare Grogan's distinctively silvery voice. The Glasgow-based group originally consisted of Grogan (vocals), Gerard "Caesar" McNulty (guitar), Michael "Tich" Anderson (drums), Tony McDaid (guitar), and Johnny McElhone (bass), though the lineup would undergo changes over the years.

Their breakout came with the release of their debut album "Happy Birthday" in 1981, which was propelled by the success of the infectious title track that remains an iconic new wave anthem. The album earned both critical acclaim and commercial success. Following their initial success, Altered Images continued to leave a mark with albums "Pinky Blue" and the more sophisticated "Bite" in 1983, the latter featuring production by Mike Chapman and Tony Visconti. While their rise was meteoric, Altered Images disbanded a short while later in 1983 following diminishing chart successes and internal changes. Several decades later, their music, including later releases like "The Other Side," "Clara Libre," "Mascara Streakz," and "Glitter Ball," continues to resonate, drawing in a new generation of fans and cementing their place in new wave history.