The Start
Popular group Atomic Kitten consists of Natasha Hamilton, Jenny Frost and Liz McClarnon—better known as Tash, Jenny and Liz. Kerry Katona was one of the group's original members, but she left in order to make motherhood her full-time career, and was replaced by Jenny Frost in January 2001.
The girls are all from Liverpool4, UK. You may wonder how Atomic Kitten come to be in the first place.
Kerry, one of the original pussycats5, was a backup6 singer in a band near Liverpool, and wasn't completely fulfilled7—she knew she wanted a band of her own. She met Liz in 1998, and Natasha joined them in 1999. The girls were inspired8 by the clothing label9 “Automatic10 Kitten” and wanted to go by11 that name, but they later changed their band name to “Atomic Kitten.”
Happy Times
Kerry, Tash and Liz signed with Innocent Records in the summer of 1999. December of that year saw the release of their first single, 'Right Now'. This became an immediate success scoring12 a number 10 position in the UK singles charts13. Atomic Kitten quickly gained popularity and wide recognition in the UK. They had their first release of the album called 'Right Now' in Japan early in 2000. By the end of 2000, they were well established in the Far East. In October 2000, this album was finally released in the UK and received highly rated14 attention.
The start of 2001 saw a reformation15 with former PRECIOUS16 member, Jenny Frost taking up Kerry's place when it was announced that Kerry was pregnant17. February 2001 was a big month for the Kittens as it marked their first No. 1 single, 'Whole Again', which stayed on top for a total of 4 weeks.
'Eternal18 Flame19' was the next hugely20 successful single. This went straight to No. 1 in the UK singles charts when it was released in July 2001. This single also won high acclaim21 in other countries.
By early 2002, Atomic Kitten were mainstream22 artists, a household23 name in the world of pop. They then began a big concert tour24 across the UK and Ireland. It was a sell-out tour that received huge applause from fans and the Kittens proved they were powerful on stage with their massive25 performances and their beautiful singing.
In September 2002, their second album 'Feels So Good' was released. It features26 a whole set of 27 new and exciting tracks28 including 'The Tide Is High' and 'It＇s OK!'. This brand-new29 album enjoyed great success and made it to the UK No. 1 albums position.
Now the Kittens continue on what is an extremely successful music career. Just as 'The Tide Is High' receives its Brit Awards 2003 nomination for Best UK Single30, they get ready to launch31 their new single 'Love Doesn＇t Have to Hurt' and they are also recording their third album. They are undoubtedly32 one of the hugest and most popular bands to date. The success of all their singles and their albums prove that they've got what it takes to rock the pop and dance world.
Interview
How did you feel about ＇Eternal Flame＇ getting to Number One?
Jen Ecstatic33! Especially as we managed to beat some huge acts!
Nat Very excited! And cried a lot!
Liz Shocked! But so pleased， never thought that would happen to us, especially for four weeks!
Did you ever dream of getting a number one single when you were younger?
Jen I think everyone dreams of that, when you watch Top Of The Pops as a little girl or boy.
Nat All the time! It was my biggest ambition34 and now I've fulfilled it!
Liz Yeah! I think everyone does.
How have your lives changed since joining Atomic Kitten?
Jen It's been non-stop35 work, but also non-stop fun, so that's well cool!!!
Nat I've got a very busy, hectic36 lifestyle now—non-stop and exciting!
Liz Less sleep! And I don't get to see my family as much—but oh boy, all the showbiz parties make up for37 it!
What are your plans for the future?
Jen My hope for the future is to get a number one album!
Nat Hopefully have a huge successful album with the girls, then conquer the world!
Liz Have an album which is a massive hit38 and maybe a few more number ones please!
Is it fun being a pop star?
Jen Yeah!!
Nat Yes!!
Liz Definitely39!
What advice would you give to kids who want to become pop stars?
Jen Practice makes perfect40.
Nat Keep at41 it, don't get disheartened42 and as long as you always give 100% you will stand out from the crowd.
Liz If you send demo43 tapes to record companies, it would be a good idea to send them to the smaller companies, as they have less to plough through44, so will give more attention to yours.
What are your interests outside of being pop stars?
Jen Watching Eastenders45 and relaxing on my couch46!
Nat Reading and socialising47.
Liz Football, football and football!
What advice would you give to any kids with problems at school or home?
Jen Don't be afraid to talk to someone. You'll be very surprised to see how many people are going through the same thing as you. Whether it be a friend, teacher or family member, talk to someone.
Nat Talk to an older person you trust about it.
Liz Just remember, when you leave school you're gonna be something special and everyone will regret what they did or said to you then.
创建之初
流行乐队组合“原子猫”由纳塔莎·汉密尔顿，珍妮·弗罗斯特和利兹·麦克拉农组成，人们常称她们为塔什，珍妮和利兹。凯芮·卡托纳是“原子猫”发起人之一。但为了做全职妈妈，她离开了乐队， 2001年1月，珍妮·弗罗斯特接替了她的位置。
这几个女孩子都来自英国的利物浦。你也许想知道“原子猫”究竟是如何取得今日首屈一指的地位的。
猫咪队的发起人之一凯芮曾是利物浦附近一个乐队的候补歌手。但她并不满足于此，她知道自己想拥有一个自己的乐队。1998年，她结识了利兹，1999年，纳塔莎也加入了她们的队伍。一个标识为“Automatic Kitten”（“自动猫咪”）的服装商标激发了三个女孩儿的灵感，她们想参照这个商标为乐队起名，但后来将乐队更名为“原子猫”。
辉煌历程
1999年夏天，凯芮、塔什和利兹签约纯真唱片公司，并于同年十二月推出了她们的第一首单曲《就在此刻》，当即获得巨大成功，创下全英国金曲排行榜第十名的佳绩。“原子猫”迅速走红，在英国受到广泛认可。她们的首张唱片《就在此刻》 2000年初在日本发行，年底乐队便在远东地区站稳了脚跟。这张唱片最终于2000年10月在英国登台亮相并获得高度评价。
2001年初，前宝贝乐队成员珍妮·弗罗斯特的加盟带来了乐队的重组，她是在凯芮怀孕的消息公布后接替她的位置的。对全体猫咪成员来说，2001年2月是个特别的月份。在这个月她们迎来了第一首冠军单曲《神采重现》，这首单曲稳居榜首整整四周。
《永恒的激情》是她们获得巨大成功的另一首单曲。2001年6月一经推出，旋即登上英国金曲排行榜榜首。这首单曲在其他国家也获得高度评价。
2002年初，“原子猫”已成为主流乐队，成了流行音乐圈内家喻户晓的名字。随后她们在英国和爱尔兰举办了大型巡回演唱会。演唱会场场爆满，赢得了歌迷的热烈掌声。猫咪姑娘们用她们出色的表演和美妙动人的歌声充分展示了她们在舞台上的实力。
2002年9月，她们推出第二张唱片《感觉如此美妙》。这张唱片以一组新颖而激动人心的歌曲为主，包括《心潮高涨》和《没关系》。这张全新的唱片获得了巨大成功，成为英国冠军唱片。
现在，猫咪姑娘们正继续着她们极其成功的音乐事业。正值《心潮高涨》获得“2003年度英国最佳金曲奖”提名之际，她们已经为下一首新单曲《爱不一定会伤害》的推出做好了准备，并正在录制第三张唱片。她们无疑是时下最流行最火爆的音乐组合之一。在单曲和唱片上获得的骄人成就证明她们已经拥有了足以震撼音乐和舞蹈界的魅力。
对于《永恒的激情》跃升为冠军歌曲你们怎么看？
珍妮：简直太棒了！特别是当我们成功打败其他大制作的时候！
塔什：太兴奋了！哭了个够！
利兹：很震惊！但真高兴！从没想过这会发生在我们身上，尤其是高居榜首整整四周！
你们小时候有没有梦想过有一天能获得最佳金曲？
珍妮：我想人人都那样想过吧，在你还是个小女孩儿或小男孩儿，收看“流行音乐冠军榜”的时候。
塔什：一直都有！这是我最大的理想并且现在我已经实现了！
利兹：当然有！我相信每个人都有过这样的梦想。
加入“原子猫”组合后，你们觉得自己的生活发生了怎样的变化？
珍妮：不停地工作，但同时也有无限的乐趣，感觉很棒！
塔什：现在我的生活很繁忙紧凑，没有停歇，很令人兴奋！
利兹：睡觉时间减少了，和家人聚在一起的时间减少了。不过你瞧，演艺圈的那些晚会弥补了这一点！
你们对未来有什么计划？
珍妮：我希望将来能录一张白金唱片！
塔什：希望能和姑娘们制作一张横扫乐坛的专辑，然后征服世界！
利兹：出一张最成功的唱片或者再出几首冠军单曲！
做一个流行音乐歌手有意思吗？
珍妮：当然！！
塔什：肯定啊！！
利兹：那还用说！
对那些想成为流行音乐歌手的孩子们你们有何建议？
珍妮：熟能生巧。
塔什：坚持下去，不要气馁。只要你始终保持百分之百的付出就一定能脱颖而出。
利兹：如果你寄样带给唱片公司，不妨寄到小一点的公司。因为他们没有那么多样带要筛选，这样你就能得到更多的关注。
在做流行歌手之外你们有什么兴趣爱好？
珍妮：收看《东区人》，躺在沙发上放松一下自己！
塔什：看看书啊，参加一些社交活动啊！
利兹：足球，足球，足球！
对那些在学校或家庭中遇到难题的孩子你们有什么建议？
珍妮：不要害怕同人交谈。你会吃惊地发现他们也正经历着和你同样的问题。不论是你的朋友，老师还是家人，总之找个人好好谈谈。
塔什：找个值得你信赖的长者谈心。
利兹：请记住，当你离开学校，你会变得与众不同。那时每个人都将为对你所说过的话和所做过的事情后悔。
1. atomic adj． 原子的
kitten n． 小猫
2． innocent (of) adj． 天真的
3． trio n． 三重唱
4． Liverpool n． 利物浦（英国英格兰西部港口城市）
5． pussycat n． 猫
6． backup adj． 候补的
7． fulfil v． 满足（愿望、要求）
8． inspire v． 激发，产生灵感
9． label n． 商标
10． automatic adj． 自动的
11． go by 参照，依照
12． score v． 记分
13． UK singles charts 英国金曲排行榜
charts n． (pl)流行音乐排行榜
14． release v． 发行 rate [reit] v． 评价
15． reformation n． 改革，革新
16． precious adj． 宝贵的，贵重的。此处为乐队名
17． pregnant adj． 怀孕的
18． eternal adj． 永恒的，永远的
19． flame [fleim] n． 火焰，光辉
20． hugely adv． 巨大，非常
21． acclaim n． 喝彩，赞扬
22． mainstream n． 主流
23． household adj． 家喻户晓的
24． concert tour 巡回演唱会
25． massive adj． 巨大的
26． feature v． 以…为特色
27． a set of 一组， 一套
28． track n． (录音带中的一首)乐曲
29． brand－new adj． 崭新的
30． Brit Awards 2003 nomination for Best UK Single 2003年度英国最佳金曲奖提名
nomination n． 提名
31． launch v． 发起
32． undoubtedly adv． 无庸置疑， 的确
33． ecstatic adj． 狂喜的
34． ambition n． 野心，雄心
35． non－stop adj． 不停的
36． hectic 兴奋的，激动的
37． make up for 补偿
38． hit [hit] n． 风行一时的作品
39． definitely adv． [口]的确，一点没错
40． Practice makes perfect． [谚语]熟能生巧。
41． keep at 保持，继续
42． dishearten v． 气馁，沮丧
43． demo n． 样本唱片
44． plough through 费劲地阅读
45． Eastenders 节目名，《东区人》。伦敦有伦敦东区East End和伦敦西区West End
46． couch n． 睡椅，长沙发椅
47． socialise v． 社交