Growing up "Normal" With Altered Images
At the end of my interview with Altered Images, singer Clare Grogan lets me in on a secret. She’s extremely nearsighted. In fact, so is the whole band. But she doesn’t wear contact lenses. So onstage, I say to her, you can’t see the faces in the crowd.
Growing up "Normal" with Altered Images
by
Richard Grabel
At the end of my interview with Altered Images, singer Clare Grogan lets me in on a secret. She’s extremely nearsighted. In fact, so is the whole band. But she doesn’t wear contact lenses. So onstage, I say to her, you can’t see the faces in the crowd.
“I can’t see a thing,” Clare chirps back.
“You should see all her bruises from tripping over,” adds guitarist John McElhone.
From knocking into the mike stands?, I innocently ask.
“And the boys,” Clare says, grinning mischievously.
In fact, this charming young woman is very accommodating. She stands up to show me the bruises on her thigh. The boys did that?
“Yeah. We’re really blind. From now on, when people ask us ‘how would you describe yourselves,’ we should say nearsighted.’ ”
The interview begins with Clare Grogan meeting me at the door of her hotel suite, with a firm, friendly handshake, and a beautiful sweet smile. It takes a minute to adjust to the real Clare Grogan.