Appleton (music duo) became students at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in North London, which was to tutor their fellow All Saints colleague and Nic's schoolmate, Melanie Blatt as well as Denise van Outen, Emma Bunton, Letitia Dean and Samantha Janus. The sisters were back in the UK in 1994, and, together with Shaznay Lewis, joined with former schoolmate Melanie Blatt to form All Saints. In 2000, both sisters appeared in the poorly received film "Honest", directed by ex-Eurythmics member Dave Stewart. In 2001, All Saints disbanded. Natalie and Nicole formed the band Appleton, and in September 2002, issued their first Appleton single
Rock Steady (All Saints song) tracks. The song is upbeat and contains prominent 2 Tone, dance-pop, reggae fusion, rocksteady and ska or as described by the "Huddersfield Daily Examiner", "sassy reggae pop" musical characteristics. The song is constructed in verse-chorus form. The first verse is sung by Shaznay and the second verse is sung by Nicole. Melanie Blatt leads the song's middle 8 along with Natalie. All the verses are sung in call and response with the chorus being sung as a combined vocal by all group members with Shaznay on lead. Surrounding the release of "Rock Steady" was controversy regarding its sound after Cheryl