Hey, read this in black and white: the girls in red, rock

Every once in a while a pop group comes along that blows you away and makes you reassess everything that has gone before. This was the case the other night when I took a break from Paralympic action to find out what was new on Channel V.

A good thing about the music channel is you only have to watch it once a month because it's so packed with repeats. Anyway, up popped Hey Girl (pictured), eight young model-type ladies dressed in red and black uniforms. They shimmied, sang an occasional line and pouted for the required three-and-a-half minutes of airtime.

They looked so similar the only way to tell them apart was by concentrating on the haircuts, which are intended to show off individuality and "girl power". According to Warner Music, the business behemoth behind the band, they are popular with girls because of their emphasis on being "sisters". Their appeal to boys, I guess, is obvious.