And tattoos are only the half of it for the sassy pop star who's one third of R&B girl group sensation .

There are the saucy lyrics, the eclectic dress sense and girl-power attitude... and the nerve to turn down Simon Cowell.

The London trio, Courtney, 20, and 22-year-olds Karis Anderson and Alexandra Buggs, were put together two years ago by their creative director, Jo Perry, a former girl-group member herself, who now writes and manages.

Karis, a Brit School alumni, was contacted by Jo, while Alex and Courtney were scouted when shopping in Topshop.

"I'd literally just finished school and went shopping with my friend," said Courtney.

"Our now stylist, Di, and Jo came over and said they wanted to put a girl band together. Di said 'you look good, can you sing?'

"I didn't take her seriously but I gave her my details and ended up going down to the studios and singing for them and was put in the band."

Their first single, Love Me, was released early last year and was met with mixed reviews, although the video proved to be an internet hit, gaining more than 100,000 views on YouTube.

Their second single, Betty Woz Gone, quickly earned a place on BBC Radio 1's In New Music We Trust playlist and the group were championed as the next big thing by the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and T4's Rising Stars.

A re-release of Love Me featuring Travie McCoy from Gym Class Heroes and the Motown influenced Black Heart has provided the band with top 10 chart success and they supported singer Nicki Minaj on the UK leg of her Pink Friday tour this summer.

"It's pretty overwhelming," said Courtney. "We are new and we haven't been out that long, but people have accepted us for who we are and our music. It's nice to be recognised."

They have a distinctive image and sound, but there's a nod to the influential girl bands of yesteryear.

"We want to take influence from every kind of girl band around," said Courtney.

"From their work ethic to their music – groups like TLC, The Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, to early Motown like the Supremes."

The band's name originates from the word 'Stoosh', an urban term used to describe something expensive and, despite it meaning a fight in Scots slang, the girls have great chemistry and get on like a house on fire.

"We're all similar and we've moulded this friendship that goes beyond. We're family now," said Courtney.

"There's nothing we don't know about each other, we're like sisters."

A pivotal moment for her came with the earlier x-rated version of Love Me, where lyrically, she came out to the public and her family as gay.

"Everyone else around me knew and I thought there wasn't any point in trying to hide it any more and when I did come out it was all over the internet," she said.

"It turned out to be a good thing. My mum is so supportive and cool with it but what a way to come out. If it wasn't for the naughty version we wouldn't be where we are now as people noticed us."

It was the naughty version that sparked the interest of pop svengali Simon Cowell, who tried to sign them up last year.

"We showcased to the whole of Syco and him, it was quite nerve-wracking," said Courtney.

"He offered us a deal on the spot but the type of band we are we wanted creative control, which is important to us."

AND she went on: "We didn't want to be changed or moulded into something we're not and we couldn't come to an agreement.

"It's cool though, we still have a good relationship with them."

With their daring attitude and brash and bolshy tunes, Courtney is keen to state they are by no means a cliche.

"I've come up with a motto which is 'do what you want, when you want and how you want to do it, as long as it doesn't hurt somebody'.

"You can't live your life trying to please everyone."

With their debut album due out later this year, the trio are looking forward to showcasing a few new tunes in Glasgow.

"It's going to be fun, I hope Scotland gives us a warm welcome."

n Stooshe will perform at Silverburn Shopping Centre on September 22 at 2pm.

It will be a wristband only event, with free wristbands available from the mall until Friday.

Five wristbands per person and under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.