S Club 8

S Club 8

S Club 8, previously known as S Club Juniors, were a spin-off of the highly popular UK pop music group S Club 7. The group's members, Jay Asforis, Daisy Evans, Calvin Goldspink, Stacey McClean, Aaron Renfree, Hannah Richings, Frankie Sandford and Rochelle Wiseman, were all in their early teens or younger when they were chosen from thousands of hopefuls on the S Club Search (2001) television series. The group were originally intended only as a support act on as part the competition to perform at Wembley Arena on S Club 7's S Club Carnival Tour. The group also had their own documentary series, S Club Juniors: The Story.

Frankie Sandford and Rochelle Wiseman are now part of the pop group, The Saturdays.

History

Formation/Tour

S Club Juniors were formed in 2001, through an auditioning process. The auditions were aired on CBBC. The original concept was that the group would all be children and would perform at Wembley as a support act to S Club 7 on their Carnival tour. S Club Juniors' appearances at Wembley were considered a success and consequently 19 Entertainment, the management company that had created S Club 7 and auditioned S Club Juniors, decided they should perform as a support act at all of the venues on S Club 7's carnival tour.

Together

By the end of the tour, S Club Juniors had created a following and, with the encouragement of 19, Polydor Records signed the group. Their first single was called "One Step Closer". The single was promoted by the TV series S Club Junior: The Story. The first single "One Step Closer" was released in the UK on 22 April 2002 in a chart battle with the Sugababes who released their comeback single the same day. Although the Juniors remained Number One in the midweek charts, the single dipped over the weekend and managed to sell 73,000, compared to the Sugababes 85,000. The Juniors stayed at Number 2 for a second week selling a further 60,000, compared to Holly Valance's 143,000. An excess of 250,000 copies were sold in the UK and stayed in the UK Top 75 for 11 weeks — the youngest ever by an under 16 artist One Step Closer sold over 2,517,275 copies worldwide, as of August 2008. The group began working on their studio album in June 2002 following the success of the single. A second single was named "Automatic High", filmed in Spain, while S Club 7 began their 4th TV Series. Released on 22 July 2002, the single reached Number 2 in the UK Charts selling 52,000 copies, and spent 8 weeks inside the UK Top 75 and sold an excess of 110,000 copies in the UK. Automatic High sold over 3,473,025 copies worldwide, as of August 2008.

Their 3rd single "New Direction" originally set for release on 23rd September but was delayed until 07 October reached Number 2 in the UK Charts selling 55,000, copies in its first week the single became their 3rd consecutive top ten hit selling 130,000, copies in its six week run more than previous single. Despite selling more in the UK, the single sold less copies worldwide, selling over 1,732,592, as of August 2008. The juniors released their debut album "Together" on 21 October reaching Number 5 in its first week of sale and selling 40,000, the album fell out of the Top 40 within weeks. The album has sold over 613,102 copies worldwide, as of August 2008.

Their 4th single "Puppy Love" was released on December 9th, 2002. The single debuted at number #5 in the UK Charts, with 18,000 sales. In its second week sold 23,000, the single sold 85,000, copies in the UK and spent 8 weeks inside the UK Top 40. A fifth single was planned for March 2003 but was scrapped following the low sales of "Puppy Love". Despite low sales in the UK, Puppy Love sold over 1,341,511 copies worldwide, as of August 2008.

Sundown

The Juniors began work on their second album in January 2003 but Polydor wanted a complete change after high expectations for their debut album, a format with Simon Fuller wanted a massive improvement and there was even plans to axe members after negative reviews.

The band joined S Club on their S Club United tour in April 2003 where the announcement came of a name changed to S Club 8 and an upbeat fifth single Fool No More which was praised by Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles quoting "I hate the Juniors, but this song is good". The single released on 30 June reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Charts selling 26,000 copies in its first week and overall 75,000, copies in the UK. Fool No More sold over 1,806,976 copies around the world, as of August 08. A second single "Sundown" was released in the UK on 29 September 2003 reaching Number 4 in the UK and became their sixth and final top ten hit and selling 37,000, copies in its first week and 80,000 altogether. Sundown sold over 1,305,695 copies worldwide, as of August 08.

Their second album "Sundown" was released on 13 October 2003 to negative reviews. The album reached Number 13 in the UK Charts falling to 40 the second week, The album sold 60,000, in the UK and 315,859 worldwide, as of August 08. A Sixth Single "Don't Tell Me You're Sorry" was released in the UK on 29 December 2003 and reached #11 in the UK becoming their first single to miss the Top Ten. Even though it was the first single to chart out of the top ten, Don't Tell Me You're Sorry became their most successful song in sales worldwide, as of August 2008, with sales of 3,527,239 copies. After the low chart position in the UK, S Club 8's management decided to drop the name and form "I Dream".

I Dream

Main article: I Dream

After the failure of Sundown, 19 Management chose to send the group in a radical new direction. Consequently in 2004, S Club 8 returned as cast members in the BBC children's television show I Dream. Unlike the S Club (7) shows which focused upon the band's fictional exploits, I Dream saw S Club 8 as members of a larger ensemble cast (see side bar). I Dream revolved around the summer school Avalon Heights, run by Professor Toone (played by Christopher Lloyd), where the characters tried to improve on their talents in the performing arts. Not surprisingly, the show featured many songs and dances: normally two songs per episode.

Additional Cast
Matt Di Angelo	Felix
Rachel Hyde-Harvey	Amy
Helen Kurup	Khush
Lorna Want	Natalie
George Wood	Ollie

In the run-up to the shows airing it was marketed as an S Club 8 TV show. However it emerged that the show would actually mainly feature five additional actors, to whom S Club 8 would play second fiddle. It was in this manner that S Club 8 were rebranded iDream.

On 15 November 2004, the shows theme tune, "Dreaming" was released as a single, and was sung by Frankie and Calvin. The single flopped charting at number 19, falling to 36 the next week then out of the UK Top 40. The album was released 2 weeks later and also failed charting at 133. Even with failing the UK Charts, the single still managed to sell over 1,268,081 copies around the world, as of August 2008.

On 29 November 2004 an album titled "Welcome to Avalon Heights" was released, containing songs from the show performed by S Club 8 members and the rest of the cast. The album debuted to a poorly #133, with sales of 700 copies. The next week it was out of the chart. Around the world the album didn't sell poorly, especially in the USA and France (where the show was a big hit). Welcome to Avalon Heights sold 432,899 copies worldwide, as of August 2008.

Discography

Note: Sales are from above in the article.

Singles

Single	Released	Country	Chart Peak
"One Step Closer"	22 April 2002	UK	#2
"Automatic High"	22 July 2002	UK	#2
"New Direction"	7 October 2002	UK	#2
"Puppy Love/Sleigh Ride"	9 December 2002	UK	#5
"Fool No More"	30 June 2003	UK	#4
"Sundown"	29 August 2003	UK	#4
"Don't Tell Me You're Sorry"	22 December 2003	UK	#11

Albums

Album	Released	Country	Peak	Worldwide Sales
Together	21 October 2002	UK	#5	613,102
Sundown	13 October 2003	UK	#13	315,859

Members

Calvin

Calvin Goldspink (born January 24, 1989). At the age of 12 Goldspink auditioned for the chance to perform onstage with the hugely successful S Club 7.

Jay

Jay Asforis (born October 30, 1989) is an only child. Instead of going to the S Club Juniors auditions, he sent a video tape of himself to S Club 7 who allowed him through to the final auditions. He trained at The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School and attended [http://www.roding-sec.essex.sch.uk/ Roding Valley High School. It was rumored that Jamal Billings was 'Jay' when the band started however these proved to be untrue.

Daisy

Daisy Evans (born November 30, 1989) attended Warren Junior School and starred in the UK tour of Annie.

As of 2007, Evans had joined the "Score Angels"; a group of football cheerleaders sponsored and organised by the News of the World newspaper.

Since early 2007, Daisy has been a member of new 5 piece band, From Above. They have toured the UK, performing in more than 60 clubs, and have reportedly been linked with some important people in the music industry. Since the start of October 2007, Ms Evans' latest project in From Above has been an embroiled in a cloud of confusion, due to several line up changes. The group has scrapped previous material and have opted for a different musical direction. In late 2007 it was confirmed Daisy was to remain an official member and the group have since record their debut UK single "Hummer." From Above have confirm on their myspace September 2008 that they are signed by Matthew Knowles and Music World Records. The girls are moving to United States late this year. On top of that the girls will also have their first reality show and debut album.

Stacey

Stacey McClean (born February 17, 1989) hails from Blackpool, Lancashire and was a prominent singer in S Club 8 , as well as being a cast member of I Dream.

In mid 2007 McClean had a photo shoot with James Nader and has been hailed as the next R&B sensation. She has recorded 'I See You', a dance track, but is currently searching for the right management in order to work with the right producers to take her in the direction she most wants. She states that her influences include Mýa and Rihanna.

Aaron

Aaron Renfree (born December 19, 1987) was the oldest member of S Club 8. He starred in I Dream but did not appear in every episode due to studying for his GCSEs at the time of filming.He also wore braces during his time in S Club 8.

After S Club 8 split in 2004, he joined dancing company TK Spin, who work at Pineapple Dance Studios in London. He left the company a year later.

As of 2007, Aaron is a member of dance group Jongleurs, created by Aaron & Courtney McGrath. All members of the group have had professional training at Surrey based dance college Laine Theatre Arts, where Aaron is currently studying. He recently played the part of Dandini in Cinderella, Assembly Halls Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.

Aaron will be appearing in Flashdance the musical as of July 2008.

Hannah

Hannah Richings (born November 30, 1990) was the youngest member of S Club 8, and also a cast member on I Dream. She was never given a distinct solo during her time in the group, arguably due to her younger age, but had solo parts in two unperformed songs which were recorded as B-sides for their singles Sundown and Automatic High (within the songs "Wherever Your Heart Beats" and "We Got You" respectively). She also had a solo in the song, "Here We Go", which was not released commercially but appeared on a free CD with a summer S Club Juniors magazine special. Richings participated in Miss Teen Queen UK in early 2007.

Since the group split, Hannah is believed to have returned to the clere school to complete her GCSEs' and spend time with her family and friends, before she gets back into showbiz.

Frankie

Frankie (Francesca) Sandford (born January 14, 1989) was the second oldest member of S Club 8 and was one of the group's more prominent singers. Since the group disbanded, she was said to be coming back as a solo artist but nothing was heard from her until a few years later.

In 2007 Frankie added two tracks to a Myspace Music page, these tracks were called 'Bored' and 'Swallow'. Although they were just rough vocals, the fans loved them and she got thousands of plays. Later on that year she auditioned and got into a new girlband along with Rochelle. Frankie and Rochelle's new band are called The Saturdays and they toured with Girls Aloud in May 2008 as the support act for the 'Tangled up' tour. The group's first single - If This Is Love, was released on the 28th July 2008 and reached number 8 in the UK. On 9th October 2008 Frankie appeared as a guest panelist on BBC Two quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks. She has recently been spotted out and about with young, high-flying big brother star glynn wise.

Rochelle

Rochelle Wiseman (born March 21, 1989) was a member of S Club 8 and a cast member on I Dream. She is part Sierra Leonean. She attended Coopers Company and Coborn School in Upminster.

During her time in the group, she had a stint as presenter on the now defunct BBC children's programme Smile.

In February 2007, Wiseman appeared briefly on the BBC Two quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks as part of the show's regular Identity Parade feature, where contestants guess which person out of a lineup of five was featured in an old music video played only to the audience and viewers. The team, consisting of Bill Bailey, Russell Howard and Romeo Stodart (from the band The Magic Numbers), correctly picked Rochelle from the lineup.

Charley Uchea; a Big Brother 8 UK 2007 housemate, claimed to be best friends with Rochelle during her time in the Big Brother house, however Rochelle has denied these claims. Wiseman is frequently spotted with her good friend Danielle Lloyd a model who was part of the race scandal of Celebrity Big Brother UK 2007.

She is now a model and is a regular model for Love Me Love My Clothes (LMLC). Wiseman also took part in the Miss England contest, gaining third place.

In late October 2006 it emerged Wiseman was a member of a group called The TigerLilys, who had a MySpace page displaying two tracks. The group disbanded without being signed by a label or releasing any material commercially.

Rochelle and Frankie are currently in a new band called The Saturdays.

External links

• I Dream at IMDb
• Official From Above Myspace (Official Myspace)
• Aaron Renfree's personal website

S Club 8 World