All Saints

The Band

All Saints are a British-Canadian all-female vocal group. founded in end 1993, the group consiste of founding members Melanie Blatt and Shaznay Lewis, and sisters Nicole Appleton and Natalie Appleton. They became one of the most successful British pop groups of the 1990s, with 9 top 10 singles (including five number ones), two platinum albums (including a number one), two gold albums and record sales in excess of 10 million worldwide.

Formation

Both Melanie Blatt and Shaznay Lewis started their career by singing backing vocals at sarm west studios, the ZTT Recording Studios near All Saints Road, London. In 1993 Melanie, Shaznay and the original third member Simone Rainford decided to record together. According to Simone, they thought of Spice as a name of their group, but they decided that it wasn't good enough and chose to call themselves All Saints 1.9.7.5. after the street where they met and their year of birth. they were signed to ZTT Records.

In 1994, All Saints 1.9.7.5. performed for their first time at The Touch Magazine stage at The Notting Hill Carnival. They released two singles together, but they were not successful. additionally, Rainford and Blatt had conflicting visions of the band's musical direction which caused tensions in the band.

In the summer of 1995, Rainford left the band and ZTT Records dropped the remaining duo from their label. Regardless, Blatt and Lewis set out to find a replacement for Rainford. Conducting many auditions, Melanie's father met Nicole Appleton whom she knew from her days at The Sylvia Young Theatre School. Shaznay encouraged Nicole to join the band. her sister, Natalie Appleton, was reluctant to join the band, since she had given birth to her daughter Rachel two years prior and did not want to abandon motherhood. However, Nicole and Natalie's parents offered to help raise the baby, enabling Natalie to pursue a career as a popstar.

1997–1998: All Saints

After being united as a newly formed group in may 1996, the four met with Karl Gordon, a former band member of outlaw posse, who recorded a demo for "i know where it's at".

The next task was searching for a new record deal, but most record labels wanted to turn them into a Spice Girls duplicate. Fortunately, the demo made its way to London Records, where john benson finalised the recording deal in november 1996.

In summer 1997 "i know where it's at", their debut single, went to #4 on the uk single charts.

The second single, "never ever", launched them worldwide, peaking at #1 in the uk for 2 weeks and in australia for 7 consecutive weeks. The single went on to sell a million copies only in the uk. the song won them two brit awards in 1998, for best single and best video.

Their debut album all saints was released on november 24, 1997, reaching #2 on the uk album charts. the third single was a double a-side "under the bridge / lady marmalade" which was their second uk number one single, topping the charts in may 1998.

The same month the album was re-released with a slightly different tracklist and after the success of "never ever" its nice hat remix was replaced by the all star remix, "let's get started" renamed to "if you want to party (i found lovin')" and "beg" and "trapped" were re-edited and re-mastered.

"bootie call" was the fourth single off the album and their third uk number one.

"war of nerves" was chosen as the fifth and final single released from all saints' debut album. It was out on november 23, 1998 and peaked at #7.

In november 1998, All Saints also won as breakthrough artist at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Milan and were one of the live acts, performing "lady marmalade" without melanie because she was close to give birth to her daughter.

2000–2001: Saints & Sinners and Cinema

In early 2000 All Aaints were back with a new single called "pure shores", a collaboration with William Orbit taken from the soundtrack of the movie The Beach with Leonardo Dicaprio. The single was their fourth number one in the uk and became the second best-selling single of 2000. It was also their first and only number one single in ireland. The song was later performed at the 2000's mtv europe music awards in Stockholm.

2000 also see Natalie, Nicole and Melanie being involved in the shoot and on the soundtrack of their first movie. The girls played main roles in the former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart directed movie Honest. The film is an edgy black comedy set in swinging London in the late 60s with the girls playing three street wise sisters who head 'up west' to rob and generally cause trouble.

After almost eight months since the release of "pure shores", on october 2, 2000 the girls released the second single from their second album, "black coffee", which became their fifth and last until now number one in the uk. The song was performed and premiered worldwide in september in Italy when they took part at the Festivalbar Show.

On october 14, 2000 their long-awaited second studio album Saints & Sinners was released and went straight to #1 on the uk album chart, selling 950,000 copies in the uk alone.

The third and final single from the album was "all hooked up" released on january 27, 2001 and peaked at #7 on the uk singles chart.

2001: Split & All Hits

In early 2001 All Saints split up due to an increasing rivalry within the band members which brought the group broken in two: Melanie and Shaznay from one side and the Appleton sisters on the other. In november 2001, London Records, their record label, released a greatest hits titled "All Hits" containing all the hit singles released from the band's two studio albums and Melanie Blatt 's first solo single "twentyfourseven". The album peaked at #18 on the uk albums chart.

2001–2005: Solo Careers

Melanie Blatt

Melanie was the first All Saint to make it solo. In september 2001, just few months after All Saints' split, she collaborated with Artful Dodger on the track "twentyfourseven", peaking at #6 on the uk singles chart.

In february 2002 she replaced Kelis' vocals on the uk release of the track "i'm leavin'" by Outsidaz and Rah Digga, peaking at #42.

Her third single "do me wrong" was released on august 25, 2003 through London Records. It peaked at #18 in the uk. Due to this poor result in the charts Melanie was dropped by the label and the album she was working on at the time never materialised.

On april 11, 2005 Melanie returned to the music scene with a new single "see me", which was included on The Robots soundtrack and peaked at #78 in the uk singles chart. The single was released through Swollen Ankle ltd and Melanie was then working on a new album to be released with this record company.

During summer 2005 she played small venues in the uk which featured songs from the new album. Blatt's solo record 'Shine' was shelved when All Saints reunited in early 2006.

*In november 11, 2011 Melanie show us one new demo called "i'll be fine".

Appleton

After All Saints' split, Natalie and Nicole started to write and record their own album. They went on to form duo Appleton and signed a contract with Polydor.

In september 2002, the Appleton sisters launched their first single "fantasy" written with Andy Hayman and Gareth Young which reached #2 in the uk singles chart.

Their autobiography "Together" came out in october 2002.

Their second single "don't worry" was out on march 10, 2003 and reached #5 in the uk before the release of their first album "everything's eventual" on march 24, 2003 which peaked at #9 on the uk album chart.

The last single off the album was "everything eventually" released on july 2003 and charted at #38 in uk. after that, Appleton and Polydor had parted ways.

Shaznay Lewis

Shaznay released her first solo single "never felt like this before" on july 5, 2004 which peaked at #8 in the uk singles chart.

Her album "open" followed two weeks later and make it in the top30, peaking at #22.

The second and final single off the album was "you" which charted at #56. 

Lewis' solo releases were through London Records.

On november 14, 2004 Shaznay was involved in the Band Aid 20 re-recording of "do they know it's christmas".

*In early 2008 shaznay collaborated with Wideboys on the track called "daddy o".

**In 1998 Shaznay recorded vocals in the K-Gee's remix of "i wanna be your lady" with the singer Hinda Hicks.

2006–2007: Reunion & Studio 1

After months of speculations as in 2005 the girls were seen together outside a restaurant in Hampstead, London, on january 24, 2006 it was announced that the band had reformed. All Saints signed a deal with Parlophone, as Shaznay was working as songwriter for the record company. From january to august 2006 they wrote and recorded their third studio album titled "Studio 1" and released it on november 13, 2006.

The first single, "rock steady" was released on november 6, 2006. The song was given its first ever radio airplay on the Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 on 21 september 2006.

NME announced that the newly re-formed band will be launching an extensive uk wide tour in 2007, to promote their new album.

For their first performance since splitting up, the group performed the song "rock steady" on ITV's Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on 21 october 2006. They also performed a little gig for the mobile phone company 3's "3frontroom", a series of intimate gigs with well-known bands.

Following the #3 charting of "rock steady", it was thought that the album would be a great success as its predecessors. When released the album made it only into the top 40, peaking at #40 before falling to #74 the following week. A second single from the album was planned. The girls shot a video for "chick fit" before Christmas and it was scheduled to be released on 26 february 2007. The appearances of the girls planned to promote the single never materialised and, at the end, the physical release of the single was cancelled. It only had a digital release and failed to make the top 200. It was subsequently confirmed that All Saints and Parlophone Records had parted ways and the girls didn't embark on the announced tour.

2007–2008: New Album & Unknown Record Label

At an event in september 2007 (Kraken Arsenal Opus at the Emirates Stadium), Nicole, Natalie and Melanie announced that All Saints were recording a new album together. No further information was revealed about another record label, but they said it was definitely in the works.

In january 2008, Nicole Appleton and Melanie Blatt were hijackers on e4's Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack where Blatt declared they had a record deal with an undisclosed company in a conversation with housemate Nathan Fagan-Gayle. However, the name of the record label was bleeped out during transmission for unknown reasons.

On 22 february 2008, in a press release for the Wideboys' single with Lewis posted in the official website of All Around the World it was stated that the girls were recording in the studio and they would be back with new material before the end of the year.

'The Sun' site published a text saying that new All Saint's record label was the All Around the World. The fans joined the two news and believed in a new All Saints' album with All Around the World.

In june 2008 Melanie and Nicole were in another tv show, the F Word, with their mothers and the Nicole's husband Liam Gallagher.

However, on the 12th of september 2008, All Around the World discredited claims that all saints had been signed with them with a post in their official website.

Melanie and Nicole were in the 'Britsh Awards' making interviews in the backstage and recording more interviews to the music show 'The Hot Desk' .

And more, Nicole was in a 'Radio One' show in any mornings.

Shaznay is working like a composer songs to other artists.

Although in 2008 new material was promised by All Saints, as of june 2009, no information or conformation of any such releases has ever been announced. Nobody knows the All Saints' future.

Once the four were photographed by paparazzi entering in the same restaurant. But Nicole, Natalie and Melanie are constantly seen together, including in family travels.

2009-2013: Second plit

Likely end but no official announcement yet. The fourth studio album was left unreleased.

Melanie and Nicole are working as tv presenters and Shaznay is writting songs for others artists.
On september 2010 the All Saints released a double cd with 36 tracks: 'Pure Shores The Very Best of All Saints'. The record label is Music Club Deluxe of the Demon Music Group. No new songs are in compilation.

Melanie is recording a new work. The songs will be dance.

2014:
The All Saints are back in a reunion, specially to 'Backstreet Boys UK tour'. The girls are working hard to prepare live performances. Will be hits like pure shores and never ever! They will be in 'Virgin Festival' and 'G-A-Y'.
We hope more performances... We dream with new songs and a exclusive All Saints tour.