A Flock of Seagulls are an English new wave band formed in Liverpool in 1979. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds, hit the peak of their chart success in the early 1980s.[4]
In an Interview with the Worchester Magazine (2017) , Mike Score explain explains where the band name comes from –
my favorite band was The Stranglers. One of their songs was called “Toiler on the Sea.” We were at one of their concerts (The singer) yells out, “a flock of seagulls.” We were in the front row. He looked like he looked right at us and called out, “a flock of seagulls.” We took it as a sign. Originally, were called Level 7, but Level 42 has just put their album out. We knew we were going to have to change our name … Strangely enough, from that moment on, everybody noticed us. Everyone was like, 'Wow, what a strange name.' I think the name made people want to hear what we were about.[5]
In 2018, the members of the original lineup assembled to record the album Ascension with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.[8] In 2021, the original lineup again reunited temporarily to record another album with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, String Theory.
History
1979–1982: Formation and debut album
The band A Flock of Seagulls was formed in Liverpool, England, in 1979 by Mike Score, Frank Maudsley and Ali Score. Mike was a hairdresser when he bought a second-hand Korg MS-10synthesizer and invited his friends to form the band. Frank played bass and Ali drums, even without prior experience. After testing six guitarists, Willie Woo joined the band and brought in Mark Edmondson to replace Ali on drums. Later, the Score brothers had a falling out, and Mark Edmondson left. Ali returned to the band and shortly afterwards Woo left, being replaced by Paul Reynolds, a 17-year-old friend of Mark Edmondson. Initially, the band did not have a vocalist. Mike, who was the composer of the songs, sang just to show how he thought the song should sound. However, Frank suggested that he be the band's official lead singer. Mike was reluctant at first, but ended up accepting the suggestion.
The band began playing local clubs and eventually got a record deal with Jive Records. In 1981, they released their first single, "Talking", which was produced by Bill Nelson. The single was a moderate success in the United Kingdom. In 1982, the band released their second single, "Telecommunication", which was also produced by Bill Nelson. The single was an even bigger success than the first and became a club hit. The band's third release was the EPModern Love is Automatic. Released in the US, it included the single "Telecommunication" as well as "I Ran (So Far Away)" — which became the band's biggest hit and was in heavy rotation on the new cable channel, MTV.[9] The video for "I Ran" was low budget (even for the time), but it provided enormous exposure for the band, and it is well-remembered in part because MTV played it frequently.[10]
The band's debut album, A Flock of Seagulls, was released in 1982. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number 1 in Australia and the Top 10 in the US and New Zealand. The album was praised for its new wave songs, which were influenced by styles such as synthpop, post-punk and new romantic. The band was also praised for their image, which was characterized by slicked-back hair and colorful clothing. The album was influential in pop music in the 1980s.[citation needed] The band was one of the pioneers of synthpop and helped popularize the style.[citation needed]
1983: Listen and the peak of popularity
In late 1982, A Flock of Seagulls finally achieved commercial success in their home country with the single "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)", which reached the top 10. The song was inspired by a short romance that vocalist Mike Score had with a girl on tour in the United States. The girl had a Polaroid camera, and Score asked her to take a picture with it. She said if he had the photo, he would leave and the romance would be forgotten. They broke up soon after, and Score wrote the song about how he wished he had a photo of her to remember her by.
The band began 1983 at the Palladium in New York playing the MTV New Year's Eve Rock n' Roll Ball[11] with "Space Age Love Song" still climbing the charts in the U.S. following the top ten success of "I Ran".
Listen, the follow-up to band's debut album, was released at the end of April 1983 and also received positive reviews. AllMusic critic Tom Demalon praises the single "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" as "multilayered and hypnotic" and also has written favorably about the songs "Nightmares" and "Transfer Affection".
Three more singles were released for Listen in 1983, but they were only moderately successful. The band began to lose popularity in the late 1980s, but they continue to perform and record.
1984: The Story of a Young Heart and Reynolds' departure
Following the commercial success of their debut album, A Flock of Seagulls decided to change direction on their third album, The Story of a Young Heart. The band ventured into a new style, wanting to make a concept album based on themes such as suicide and heartbreak. The album was produced by Steve Lovell and featured more accentuated guitars and a more polished sound. The song's lyrics were written by Mike Score, who had lost a close friend to suicide. The song "Remember David" was written in honour of his deceased friend.
Despite the band's efforts, The Story of a Young Heart was not as commercially successful as their debut album. The singles "The More You Live, The More You Love" and "Never Again (The Dancer)" reached the top 40 on the US and UK charts, but "Remember David" was not as popular and had moderate success.
During the album's tour, the band's guitarist Paul Reynolds became involved with drug abuse. His drug problems worsened, resulting in his exit from the band mid-tour. The tour ended early. The band was without a guitarist. Reynolds' departure was a blow to A Flock of Seagulls. The band never again managed to achieve the same success as their early years.
1985–1986: New lineup, Dream Come True and hiatus
After Paul Reynolds' departure, A Flock of Seagulls underwent a revamp. Gary Steadman, former Classix Nouveaux guitarist, was hired to replace Reynolds. Chris Chryssaphis, keyboardist, also joined the band. With the new lineup, the band recorded their fourth album, Dream Come True. The album was released in 1985 in the UK and in 1986 in the US.
Dream Come True was a commercial failure. Reviews were negative, with some critics calling the songs "lifeless" and "ineffective". The band dissolved in 1986 after the album's failure.
1988–1998: Various formations and The Light at the End of the World
In 1988, Mike Score formed a new band with local Philadelphia musicians. This lineup released the single "Magic" in 1989.
In 1994, Score formed a new band with Ed Berner, A.J. Mazzetti and Dean Pichette. This lineup recorded the album The Light at the End of the World, released only in the US in 1995. The album was a commercial and critical failure. Critics called it "tedious" and "embarrassing", while fans claimed it was "misinterpreted". Score said the album was an unsuccessful attempt to bring the band into the grunge era, which dominated popular music at the time.
1998–2018: Touring and Ascension years
In 1998, Mike Score formed a new band with Joe Rodriguez, Darryl Sons and Rob Wright. The band re-recorded Madonna's song "This Used to Be My Playground" in 1999 for Madonna's 2000 tribute album, The World's Greatest 80s Tribute.
A Flock Of Seagulls live, 2012.
In November 2003, the band's original lineup reunited for a one-off performance on the VH1 series Bands Reunited. In September 2004, they reformed again and went on a brief tour of the United States.
In 2013, Mike Score launched a solo career. He released the singles "All I Wanna Do" and "Somebody Like You".
In 2016, Kevin Rankin replaced Michael Brahm on drums. In December 2017, Gordon Deppe (from the Canadian band Spoons replaced Joe Rodriguez.
In 2018, the band's four original members reunited to record a new album, Ascension. The album was released in July 2018 and received positive reviews. Since the album's release, Mike Score expressed a desire to reunite the original lineup for a tour.
2019—: Inflight and String Theory
In 2019, the original members of A Flock of Seagulls reunited to record a new album, Inflight (The Extended Essentials). The album was released on 12 July 2019 and featured extended versions of some of the band's biggest hits, such as "I Ran (So Far Away)", "Space Age Love Song" and "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)".
In the same year, Mike Score revealed in an interview with Classic Pop magazine that he was working on a new solo album, Space Boy. However, the album has yet to be released.
In 2021, the band announced that they would release a new orchestral album, String Theory. Scheduled for release on 20 August 2021, the album features orchestral versions of some of the band's hits, such as "Messages", "Remember David" and "Say You Love Me". The album's first single, "Say You Love Me", was released on 23 July 2021. The single was released in seven different versions and featured a music video released on YouTube.
On 9 August 2024 the band announced their first album of new songs since The Light At The End Of The World, releasing the single titled Some Dreams. The sixth album of new songs will be released in December 2024 and will be called Some Dreams. The band's current lineup features Mike Score on vocals, Pando on bass, Gordon Deppe (The Spoons) on guitar and Kevin Rankin on drums.[13][14][15]
Legacy
Owing to their memorable and unusual style and appearance, A Flock of Seagulls are sometimes referred to with ironic appreciation. The New Musical Express wrote: "Of course, everyone remembers this group now for singer Mike Score's ridiculous back-combed haircut and the fact that they are mentioned in Pulp Fiction. So now they're kind of cool, but in the early 1980s it was a different story."[16]
The band was featured on Viacom's VH1 and Sony's BMG Legacy Recordings' 2006 revival CD series and multi-platform marketing campaign, "We Are the 80's".[17] In a 2007 article for The Guardian, Alfred Hickling described the group as "dreadful", and unfavourably compared them to new wave peers OMD and other Liverpool acts of the time.[18]
The band is also noted for creating their debut album, a successful concept album which alludes to an alien invasion of earth.[19]Billboard writer Robert Christgau applauded their "mechanical lyrics, about a mechanical end of the world," while noting the "aural pleasure" of both the band's debut album and the follow-up.[20][21]
Cryptic Rock writer Alfie Mella praised the band as the "poster band of new wave music" due to the flamboyant hairstyle of its members, particularly the so-described "waterfall bangs" of its frontman. He also noted the band's "flanger and reverb-heavy, angular guitar strums; melodic keyboard lines and synth washes; dancey drumbeats; groove-driven bass lines; and icy, low-register vocal styling" as defining the genre.[22]
Personnel
Current members
Mike Score – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1979–1986, 1988–present)
Synth-pop is a music genre that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic, art rock, disco, and particularly the Krautrock of bands like Kraftwerk. It arose as a distinct genre in Japan and the United Kingdom in the post-punk era as part of the new wave movement of the late 1970s.
Eurythmics were a British new wave duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel " and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.
"I Ran (So Far Away)", also released as "I Ran", is a song by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. It was released in 1982 as their third single and it was the second single from their self-titled debut album. It topped the chart in Australia, and reached number seven in New Zealand and number nine in the United States. It was not successful in Europe and only reached number 31 in Germany. In the band's home country of the United Kingdom it reached number 43. However, the song was certified silver by the BPI.
A Flock of Seagulls is the debut studio album by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released in April 1982 by Jive Records. It hit No. 10 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 32 on the UK Albums Chart. The album includes the single "I Ran ", which reached the top 10 in the United States and New Zealand, as well as No. 1 in Australia. "Space Age Love Song" also reached the US top 40.
Listen is the second studio album by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released on 29 April 1983 by Jive Records. It once again teamed the group with record producer Mike Howlett—who produced their self-titled debut album—except on "(It's Not Me) Talking", which was produced by Bill Nelson. The album includes the UK top-10 single "Wishing ". Other singles released from the album include "Nightmares" and "Transfer Affection". The face on the cover is that of the band's drummer, Ali Score.
New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) is the fifth studio album by Scottish band Simple Minds. The album was released in September 1982 by record label Virgin. It is considered one of the defining albums of the new pop movement of the early 1980s. It spawned the commercially successful singles “Promised You a Miracle” released in April 1982, “Glittering Prize” released in August 1982, and “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” released in November 1982. The albums title track, "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)", saw a limited release in Italy in March 1983 following the bands Italian leg of their supporting tour.
"Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" is a 1982 song by A Flock of Seagulls, the opening song and only hit single from their second album Listen.
Michael Gordon Score is an English singer, songwriter and musician who achieved fame as the founder, lead vocalist, and keyboardist of the new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. He released a solo album on 1 March 2014 titled Zeebratta.
Paul Reynolds is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame as the lead guitarist of the new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. AllMusic writer Tom Demalon praised Reynolds for his unique guitar style, which set his band apart from other synth-heavy acts of the time.
Dream Come True is the fourth album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in March 1986 by Jive Records.
The Light at the End of the World is the fifth studio album by A Flock of Seagulls, released by Big Shot Records in 1995. It was the band's first album since 1986's Dream Come True and was released in the US only.
"(It's Not Me) Talking" is the debut single by British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, originally recorded in 1981. It was re-recorded in 1983 and is featured on their second album Listen. The song is about a man who hears voices in his head, who believes that he is being contacted by aliens from outer space, and who cannot run away from his emotions; wherever he goes, the voice is there.
The Story of a Young Heart is the third studio album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in August 1984 by Jive Records. It was their last album—until 2018's Ascension—to feature the original line-up of the band, as guitarist Paul Reynolds left shortly after the album's release. Three singles were released from the album, some only in select countries: "The More You Live, the More You Love", "Never Again " and "Remember David". The album was reissued in 2008 by Cherry Red Records with bonus tracks.
"Space Age Love Song" is a 1982 single released by the British band A Flock of Seagulls. It was their fourth single. Lead guitarist Paul Reynolds remarked on their 1984 video album Through the Looking Glass that, as the band could not come up with a title for the track, he suggested "Space Age Love Song" because he thought it sounded like a space age love song. The song reached the top 30 in the UK and the US in June 1982 and February 1983 respectively. The music video was directed by Tony van den Ende at Danceteria NY City.
The Second British Invasion was a sharp increase in the popularity of British synth-pop and New Pop artists in the United States. It began in the summer of 1982, peaked in 1983, and continued throughout much of the 1980s. MTV began in 1981. Its popularity was the main catalyst for the second British Invasion. According to Rolling Stone, British acts brought a "revolution in sound and style" to the US.
I Ran: The Best of A Flock of Seagulls is an album by new wave band A Flock of Seagulls released in 2004. The album has subsequently been reissued under the titles Space Age Love Songs and Greatest Hits.
Zeebratta is the debut album of Mike Score, the lead singer of A Flock of Seagulls. It was released on digital download on March 1, 2014, and later released on physical copies. Two singles were released from the album, "All I Wanna Do" and "Somebody Like You".
Ascension is the sixth studio album by English New wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released on 6 July 2018 by August Day Recordings. It is the band's first album since 1984's The Story of a Young Heart that features all four original members. It contains 12 songs re-recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The album debuted and peaked at No. 8 on Billboard's Top Classical Albums chart for the week of 21 July 2018 and at No. 29 on the UK Independent Albums Chart for the week of 13 July 2018.
"Heartbeat Like a Drum" is a song by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released by Jive in 1986 as the second and final single from their fourth studio album Dream Come True. The song was written by Mike Score, Ali Score and Frank Maudsley, and produced by Mike Score and Wayne Brathwaite.
String Theory is the seventh studio album album by the English band A Flock of Seagulls, recorded with the Slovenian Symphonic Film Orchestra. Released on 20 August 2021, it is the band's second album featuring orchestral renditions of their songs, following the 2018 album Ascension. String Theory was recorded at Tokyorama Studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Loop Studio in Trieste, Italy.
↑ Christgau, Robert (26 July 1983). "A Flock of Seagulls: Listen". The Village Voice. Christgau's Consumer Guide. Retrieved 6 August 2014– via robertchristgau.com.
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