The hat is so stupid, it almost hurts.

In 1993 East 17 released their first album,Walthamstow, which had the hits It’s Alright and House of Love on it. It was actually in 1994 that these became hits in Australia, when I used to listen to commercial radio and tape the songs onto cassette, but I’m going with the release date here anyway.

You were either an East 17 fan or a Backstreet Boys fan. East 17 had a slight edge to them, political songs, baggy clothes, hints of party drugs and ‘tuffness’ of East London. I thought they were so cool and they appealed to my 11 year old serious self who could never be a part of the pretty cool group, so I picked the baggy, edgy, politically aware group for myself.

1993 was also the year Rage Against the Machine hit the scene with Killing In The Name Of, a song that would be played by every high school rock band for the next decade at least. I wasn’t a RATM fan then and I’m not now. I really think they’re one of the most overrated bands of the 90s. Not being a RATM fan has cost me friends.

World events that stuck in my brain from 1993

Of course, a lot happens in 12 months, but only a few things have stayed in my brain for whatever reason.

I remember the coverage of the James Bulger murder where two 10 year olds, about my own age, kidnapped and murdered a 2 year old. It shocked the world and footage of the two boys leading the toddler away on CCTV footage is unforgettable.

I also remember seeing news reports of tennis player Monica Seles was stabbed on court during a match in Germany. I remember my mum being particularly shocked that someone would do that.

The other event that stays in my mind was Sydney being named the host city for the 2000 Olympics. I think it’s mostly stayed in my head because of the horrible Southend song.

Mememememememe

It was another not-particularly amazing year for me. My parents remained separated, the twins continued to be little, my older sister was 16, moody and fighting with my mum aaaaallllll the time and I was spending a lot of time listening to the radio, taping my favourite songs on cassettes.