Strawberry Switchblade was one of the most distinctive female synth-pop acts to emerge from Scotland in the 1980s, best known for their 1984 hit “Since Yesterday.”
My heart skipped a beat last night when I came across a YouTube video showing Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson, members of Strawberry Switchblade, appearing together in the same frame. I don’t recall ever seeing them in modern appearances together after their split in 1986. For me — and probably for many fans — it was a moment to cherish.
The occasion was the premiere of the 2024 documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands. After the screening, they appeared together in a Q&A session, discussing their music and the video for “Since Yesterday.”
It wasn’t a musical reunion, but it was wonderful to see them again — and to see how they look now. I’ve seen Rose in some recent live performance videos, but this was the first time I’ve seen Jill since the Strawberry Switchblade days more than 40 years ago. They were barely recognizable, having clearly aged and no longer as slim as they once were, especially Rose, yet they carried themselves with the same charm. Still, I appreciated that they made the effort to dress in the style that made them iconic, with Jill even wearing the polka-dot dress that became synonymous with the band.
One small detail I noticed was Rose subconsciously twirling her hair ribbon with her finger — just like she did in the “Since Yesterday” video. Old habits die hard. It only lasted about two seconds, so you had to be quick to catch it, but it was a delightful little nod to the past.
I have to admit, back in the day I was infatuated with them — they looked absolutely gorgeous and amazing in their outfits. Their Gothic Lolita style, which later directly inspired the birth of the Japanese Gothic Lolita fashion movement, made them unforgettable. I still own my original “Since Yesterday” single, and seeing them together again brought back a flood of memories.
For those of us who grew up in the 1980s, Strawberry Switchblade was more than just another synth-pop act. Their unique blend of sweet melodies, dark undertones, and striking visual style made them stand out. Songs like “Since Yesterday” still carry that unmistakable sound of the era. Seeing Rose and Jill together again after so many decades reminded me how deeply music from our youth can stay with us.
While this wasn’t a musical comeback, one can’t help but hope they might reunite for a live performance someday.
