Ace Rejects

Ace Rejects are a Urapopstar Awards winning British/Irish girlband first formed in 2010 and who came into public focus in November 2010. The group is currently made up of three members: Nicola O'Neill, Monique DiVine and Ama Slater.

The group, in their short span, have so far achieved a 7 Top 10 singles, which would includes 4 Number #1s. They have also achieved one diamond selling album and platinum album.

The group's first album, Shattered Dreams produced Top 10 single Top of the World, Number 1 single Jealous Games and Number 2 Double A-Side The Game/You Want What?! and single Sparks. The album also debuted at Number 1 in the UK Albums charts and Number 7 in the Irish charts. The group have also supported Alesha on tour. The band have sold over a million singles in the UK, and over 1,000,000 copies of their debut album since it was released in February 2011. They have achieved a further three number one's from the release of their sophomore album Queen of Hearts.

In 2012, the girl group decided to take a short break in order for each of the girls to do work outside of the band. It is believe that the girls will return in 2013/early 2014 to record new music.

Formation
The girls met each other when Nicola O'Neill moved from Belfast to Manchester. Ama Slater and Kelly Dando already knew each other through family friends. It is when all three came together that they decided that they would like a career in music. After months of trying, a local record label in Liverpool called Rejectum signed the girls up.

Shattered Dreams (November 2010 - October 2012)
In September 2010, Rejectum Records confirmed the signing of Ace Rejects and had already set motions in place concerning their debut. In November 2010, the girls were revealed to the general public and shortly after, their first single Top of the World was premiered on radio.

Later on in December, the girls confirmed that they would be releasing their single on the 27th December 2010. Also during December, the girls put the finishing touches to their debut album. They confirmed they were working with a number of different writers including Elice Claire, Genevere Johnson, Sienna Martinez and Violetta DiNozzo, as well as working with a range of producers including Xenomania and Starsmith. On 12 December, the group's management confirmed that their debut album would be entitled Shattered Dreams. It is due to be released on 21 February 2011. The album has been described by the band as a mix of pop and electropop, and also includes a cover of TLC classic, "Unpretty".

On 2 January 2011, the girls debuted at No.10 in the UK Chart with their debut "Top of the World" whilst reaching No.1 in the Download Chart. The following week, the single peaked at No.7. The single has so far been certified as Gold.

On 14 February 2011, the group released their second single Jealous Games. It was a track written for the band by singer Elice Claire. The single was also the group's first release in the Republic of Ireland. On the 18th February 2011, it charted at Number 4 in the Irish Charts, but a week later peaked at Number 1. The single was also the girl's first number 1 single when it debuted in the UK at Number 1, and also scoring the girl's second No.1 Download.

On the week of the release of their debut album, Ace Rejects left record label Rejectum Records and signed to Fusion Records. On 27th February 2011, the group's debut album Shattered Dreams debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album chart, selling over 80,000 copies. It also debuted in the Irish Albums chart at Number 7.

The group also were the support act for Alesha's Heathen Tour, performing on the European Leg of the tour.

The group released their third single, a double A side of The Game/You Want What?! on 13 June 2011 in the UK and Ireland, whilst releasing You Want What?! as their debut single in continental Europe. The single went Top 5 and Top 10 across Europe and secured the girls a Number 2 hit in the UK. It was certified Platinum, selling over 267,000 copies.

The girls were intially meant to release a re-release of Shattered Dreams to be released in Europe, however they have now decided to leave it until their second album.

The girl group have confirmed that Sparks is to be the fifth song (and fourth single) to be released from Shattered Dreams. It charted at #2 with over 100,000 copies being sold in its first week. So far it has been certified Platinum, selling over 306,000 copies being the girls' biggest hit to date.

The girls won the Best Group award at Urapopstar Awards 20 beating competition from the likes of Dante.

Lineup change & Queen of Hearts (October 2012 - Present)
After initial reports had suggested that the group had split up, it was confirmed on 07 October 2011, that Kelly Dando had left the band and had been replaced by Monique DiVine. The girl group had originally planned on releasing new single Sojourn before Christmas however this was shortly changed to January instead and the girls enjoyed their second UK number 1 with the Elice Claire penned track.

The girls returned with a more electropop manic sound via 'Queen of Hearts' from their soon to be released album of the same name. The track was hailed by the critics for its manic electronic mash up sound along with a 90s club sound. It scored the girls another number one track. The girls released their sophomore album 'Queen of Hearts' which was hailed by critics as a 'a bit more of a mature pop' sound compared to their debut but still undeniably Ace Rejects sound.

Shortly before the release of the double a side 'Kiss You Goodbye/Dreams', the girl group confirmed rumours that they were going to take a break. Band member Nicola O'Neill confirmed that she would be working on her solo album whilst Ama Slater moved into fashion and Monique looked at both singing and acting for the break. 'Kiss You Goodbye/Dreams' scored the girls a further UK number 1 for the group.

Even though 'Kiss You Goodbye/Dreams' was confirmed as their final proper release before the break, in November 2012, band member Monique DiVine confirmed on Radio 1 that the band would release a special Christmas EP release before their official break as a download only release.

Albums

 * Shattered Dreams (2011) - Diamond - #1
 * Queen of Hearts (2012) - Platinum - #1

Singles

 * Top of the World (2010) - Gold - #7
 * Jealous Games (2011) - Platinum - #1
 * The Game/You Want What?! (2011) - Platinum - #2
 * Sparks (2011) - Platinum - #2
 * Söjourn (2012) - Platinum - #1
 * Queen of Hearts (2012) - Platinum - #1
 * Kiss You Goodbye/Dreams] (2012) - Platinum - #1

Ace Rejects: Off The Record
The group were the subject of a one hour documentary on E4. About a month before the air date, the band were confirmed to be the subject of the documentary Ace Rejects: Off The Record. The documentary followed the girls for a week whilst they were promoting their second single, Jealous Games. It offered an insight into the lives of the girlgroup. The documentary achieved viewing figures of 900,000 and was a hit for the channel. Neither the group or E4 have confirmed whether the documentary was just a one-off.

Media Depiction
From their incarnation, the girl have been considered "tabloid darlings". The group have been opinionated about other acts. The girls are also known for their drinking antics and have professed to them in several magazine and newspaper interviews. They have also been described by some critics as "Chav-chic" because of their unique dress sense and the fact that they are quite opinionated. The girls have also been described as "poundland" versions of other bands such as Thorn City. However, many critics have also been supportive of the band. Newspaper The Guardian have been particularly praiseworthy of the band, commenting that they "are bringing a new freshness to British pop music." Many music artists such as Alesha, Gabriel Dresden, Violetta DiNozzo and Elice Claire have also declared themselves as fans of the band and their music