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The Photos were formed in Evesham, Worcestershire, in 1977 by vocalist Paul Rencher, guitarist Steve Eagles, bassist Roy Wilkes and drummer Olly Harrison; the band later added female vocalist Wendy Wu (born Wendy Cruise on 29 November 1959) after the departure of Rencher and Wilkes. Their first single, "I'm So Attractive" (CBS, 1979), introduced the group to a wider audience and led to a contract with Epic Records, under which they released their self‑titled debut album The Photos (1980), which peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album’s singles, including "Barbarellas" and "Irene" (the latter reaching number 56), were supported by television appearances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and a stadium tour with The Police in 1981. A second album, Crystal Tips and Mighty Mice (Epic, 1981), was issued only in promotional form and later reissued by Cherry Red Records in 2008. After Wendy Wu departed in 1981, the band released the single "There's Always Work" (1983) before disbanding later that year. Subsequent projects saw members join other acts such as Bang Bang Machine and the duo Strange Cruise, while the original Satan's Rats lineup briefly reunited as Satan's Cats in 2022. The Photos’ chart success and early 1980s visibility remain notable markers of their contribution to the UK new wave scene.
