17 October 2023 , 09:44
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Shelly and Karen Poole may not be household names today, but they were once big deals in the UK music industry.
The British sisters shot to fame in the 1990s as the pop duo, Alisha's Attic, gaining a BRIT Award nomination for their debut single and even supporting Jon Bon Jovi on tour. As the daughters of Brian Poole of 1960 musical band the Tremeloes, Shelly, now 51, and Karen, now 52, were likely also familiar with the glitzy showbiz world from a young age.
Alisha's Attic I Am, I Feel and Indestructible and their album Alisha Rules the World gained platinum status, while their third album, Illumina, saw them land a silver certification. Unfortunately for fans, the pair went their separate ways in 2003 and the band's journey in showbiz came to an end. They have since built careers as successful songwriters, penning lyrics for stars including Will Young and Kylie Minogue. Karen has been particularly popular in the writing studio, with credits on No. 1 tunes for Zara Larsson, Becky Hill and Alesso.
Sisters Shelly McErlaine (left) and Karen Poole (right), of English pop duo Alisha's Attic, at home in Camden, London, January 1997Followers of the Poole sisters have also noticed how different the two women look today from their Alisha's Attic days. Back in the 90s, Shelly, 51, was known for rocking a short black hairdo with red streaks, which she often paired with dramatic eye makeup and facial jewellery.
Today, the composer has ash blonde hair that she typically wears in a bob. Shelly also tends to don lighter makeup and more colourful clothing these days, reflecting a major style change from the grungy outfits of her twenties.
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The pop duo enjoyed huge success in the 90s
Karen has ditched the grunge look (instagram/@kazpoole)Meanwhile, Karen has kept the blonde hair she rocked in the 90s, but has ditched the black roots and razor sharp layers for a softer finish. Today she lives in North London with husband David Etherington, a TV music composer, and their seven-year-old daughter, Rose.
Karen opened up about their style on stage back in the 90s, revealing the secret to their rocker-chic aesthetic in an interview with 90s and 00s teen magazine, J17 magazine. "When we're going out on stage, we're doing it ourselves, it literally is – we've got a bowl of glitter and a bowl of like, black and we stick the black on with our fingers then put the fingers in the glitter and stick that over the top," she explained.
Shelly Poole has blonde hair today, but was known for her dyed red back black tressesShe added: "And it literally is just like that, so our tour is totally bodged up affair, but when you we're on TV we get it done professionally you see." Despite Alisha's Attic ending, the talented sisters haven't called it quits on performing altogether.
Shelly and her husband Ally McErlaine, previously of the band Texas, are now in a British alternative country band called Red Sky July, which they formed in 2009. Karen has also continued to hold an important status in the industry, even being named the best music creative at the MusicWeek Women in Music awards in 2021.