The Pipettes

Lore & Background

The Pipettes were formed in mid-2002 by Monster Bobby, who aimed to revive the Phil Spector pop sound after noticing the reaction girl group songs got during his DJ sets. He recruited Julia Clark-Lowes, Rose Elinor Dougall, and RiotBecki, along with an all-male backing band called the Cassettes. The group's name referenced a laboratory instrument, nodding to their experimental origins, and they emphasized they were not a manufactured studio creation. Their live shows featured synchronized choreography and polka dot dresses, while the Cassettes wore knitted tank tops with initials.

Reader's Guide

The Pipettes' significance lies in their deliberate revival of 1960s girl group pop, blending retro aesthetics with indie sensibilities. Their debut album, We Are the Pipettes (2006), reached No. 41 in the UK Album Chart, and their single 'Pull Shapes' became their biggest hit. Despite lineup changes—original members left by 2008, replaced by Gwenno's sister Ani and others—they released a second album, Earth vs. The Pipettes (2010), which was a commercial flop. The group disbanded in 2011. Their legacy includes influencing later indie pop acts and demonstrating how retro styles can be recontextualized for modern audiences.

Did You Know?

• The group's name is a reference to a laboratory instrument, alluding to their experimental origins.
• The male backing band, the Cassettes, appeared in some promotional materials and live performances.
• Founding member Julia Clark-Lowes left in 2005 to concentrate on her own project, the Indelicates.
• Their second album, Earth vs. The Pipettes, was produced by Martin Rushent and recorded at his home in Berkshire.