In 1981 Susan Sulley and Joanne Catherall, two fashion conscious Sheffield schoolgirls, were spotted dancing at their local disco, the Crazy Daisy, by Philip Oakey, front man of the Human League.

At the time, the League were an innovative electronic pop outfit, whose formative members, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, went on to form BEF (British Electric Foundation) and later Heaven 17.

Joanne, Phil and Susan

Philip asked 17-year old Susan and 18-year-old Joanne to join the band for a European tour; to dance and sing and to add some visual glamour.

Philip Oakey: Style Icon

The arrival of the 'dancing girls' was met by typical scepticism, mainly from the music press, after all, the Human League had created the seminal Being Boiled - a stark slab of electronica that would influence many artists to come, and the irresistible Empire State Human.


Despite the short lived hostility, the new look Human League went on to become one of the most respected and innovative electronic music acts in UK pop history.

Almost three decades later, the Human League is synonymous with electro-pop classics such as 'Don't You Want Me?' taken from the cult album Dare, which also spawned the hit 'Love Action' to 'Open Your Heart'.

Joanne and Susan's instant stardom has always held a certain fascination; if only I'd been there, dancing at the Crazy Daisy that fateful night. Maybe, just maybe?

So, when I heard that the Human League were to be playing Newcastle in December, I immediately started planning my outfit - what would I wear? Would Phil notice me this time?

There was only one way to find out - call up an expert for advice, and who better to put me in the picture than the Human League's Susan Sulley.

Yve: What's been the most outrageous thing you've ever heard about you?

Susan: Actually, I honestly can't think of anything. Though a journalist did once imply that Joanne and I were groupies. That was quite upsetting and it upset my parents, and that's probably the most outrageous thing, because it was so untrue.

When you first joined the Human League, were you aware of any bad feeling from existing fans or school mates?

Everyone hated Joanne and me at school. We were in the Sixth Form when we joined the group. Everyone there were into, sort of, Motorhead, Saxon and Whitesnake.

In the common room it was always a fight to play on the tape deck what you wanted, and they couldn't understand how Joanne and I could like someone like Gary Numan. We used to get really dressed up for school. We didn't wear leather jackets and stuff, so no-one particularly liked us that much - so we didn't really care. They stuck our picture on the dart board the first time it was in a magazine.

In the 80s, you and Susan were the fashion icons - everything punk wasn't - slick, ladylike and polished. It was a great look on a Saturday girl's budget - as vintage clothing was original and inexpensive. Where did you shop?

We shopped anywhere that we could. We were on budget (£32 per week) at that stage. Everyone thinks we were really rich. I was still doing my Saturday job whilst being in the Human League, and getting pocket money from my parents, so everything we bought was really cheap. We shopped at Oxfam.

I raided my mums wardrobe. I used to wear her old shoes. The first time we appeared on Top of the Pops, the dress Joanne wore was actually ones of my mum's old ones. It was all second hand. We couldn't afford new clothes.

My mum really got into it. She used to go out and buy our clothes. Whenever she went on holiday, in England, she used to visit second hand shops and come back with bags of stuff for us. It was great.

Talking of your look - it's all come full circle again. Girls want to be ladylike again and the look you had then would fit in now.

But I won't be wearing it again. It wouldn't suit me! I still buy second hand things. You can get some fantastic bargains. I bought some brilliant boots the other day, for about £20; lovely round toes, big platforms, really, really nice. But I tend to buy new things for work

Joining the band so young must have been a very exciting experience - but looking back - is there anything you regret missing out on?

No - because we had a ball. We had a whale of a time. What better job could a seventeen year old want, than to be in a pop group?

It was a fantastic time, I was incredibly lucky. I don't think I really missed out on anything.

What's your best Human League moment to date?

I think it's still happening. I think the fact we're still doing it now. After all these years - I'm 41 now, and really, I shouldn't be in a pop group any more, but I am and it's still my job. I wake up in the morning and I haven't got to go to a nine-to-five. I've got this life and I'm very, very lucky.

Why, after almost 25 years, is the Human League still as popular?

I really don't know. I do think Phil and the band wrote some really good songs. It was more about the music, and people liked the music. Also, we're obviously not in it for the celebrity, and I think people can tell that when they see us on stage. We all look like we're having a good time, and we are. It's not forced. We're not doing it for the money. We're not paid that much. All my friends earn a lot more than I do. We do it 'cause we love it.

Have you ever written any songs?

No - and that's one of the reasons we're still here, because the biggest arguments erupt over song writing, and Joanne and I decided to take a back seat, which has been bad for us in one way - because financially we're not as secure as Philip is. But it's been a good thing, 'cause the group is still together.

You're about to embark on a 20 date tour. How do you prepare for that?

We rehearse! Personally, I go to the gym everyday to try and get my body in some sort of shape, so it's able to be seen. We both go to the gym, and I'm very conscious of what I eat.

But have you always been that conscientious?

No. I enjoy the occasional drink - it's my only vice. I'd be lying to you, and everybody who knows me; but nothing else really. I don't eat crap food, and I stopped smoking.

When you're on tour, do you honestly take off your make-up every night?

Yeah, I do actually. You know what it is? When you're in a hotel room you lay everything out when you get there, and all your toiletries are neatly laid out; and you also know you have to put it all back on the next day - so you take it off! Mind you, I sometimes go to bed with my make-up on after a night out with my mates, and I'm really tired, and I just get into bed. In the morning your eyes are stuck together with mascara! But I tend not to do that on tour. I'm quiet good.

What can fans - old and new expect on this tour?

A bit of everything really. Some old stuff, some stuff from before Joanne and I joined the group, some newer stuff, we're even contemplating doing a cover version, but we don't know what - we've not decided yet.

A few costume changes. We have a proper stage set - but we're not kitsch. We don't do kitsch. It will be white - it will look nice and pretty.

And, 25 years on - who are your idols, who do you listen to?

If you ask who my idols are and who I'm listening to at the moment - they're very different things. My idol's probably Madonna and Roxy Music, and Gary Numan and David Bowie, though I tend not to listen to them as much anymore, because it's all a bit old. The last album I bought was A Grand Don't Come For Free by Mike Skinner and the Streets, and I listen to Radio 1 all the time, I'm really keen on Snow Patrol and Razorlite, and I like Jamelia. I like a bit of everything - I'm not a music fascist.

What's your plans for 2005?

We've been talking about writing some new music and going back into the studio. We've got a 2 day festival in Germany, which we're headlining. We're also playing Barcelona, so things are already trickling in. A bit of studio work and lots of live work.

And how long do you expect to be going on for?

I don't know. I think it's something that scares us all, that we might have to get proper jobs, and we're not qualified to do anything else. As long as we're still filling concert halls, and people still want to see us. Who knows?