Flag of Convenience (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Steve Diggle, John Maher, Dave Farrow, Dave "D.P." Prescott |
| Defunct | 1989 |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Steve Diggle, John Maher, Andy Couzens, Chris Goodwin |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Flag of Convenience emerged as a rock ensemble in 1982, founded by ex-Buzzcocks members Steve Diggle and John Maher, accompanied by bassist Dave Farrow and keyboardist Dave "D.P." Prescott. Initially managed by music critic and author Michael Gray, their debut single was produced by Hugh Murphy, known for co-producing Gerry Rafferty's work. The group experienced multiple personnel changes until disbanding in 1989, during which time they also released material under the names F.O.C. and Buzzcocks F.O.C. The final roster featured Andy Couzens (formerly of the Stone Roses) and Chris Goodwin (previously with Inspiral Carpets), who went on to establish The High. The band ultimately split when Diggle reunited with Pete Shelley in a reformed Buzzcocks, following disagreements regarding the use of the "Buzzcocks" name in promotional contexts.
A critique of the compilation The Secret Public Years 1981-1989 by AllMusic emphasized the later output of F.O.C. as a testament to Diggle's considerable yet often overlooked impact on British music throughout the 1980s.
Singles and EPs
- "Life on the Telephone" (1982) Sire
- "Change" (1984) Wierd Sisters
- "New House" (1986) M.C.M.
- "Last Train to Safety" EP (1987) M.C.M.
- "Should I Ever Go Deaf" EP (1987) M.C.M. (credited as F.O.C.)
- "Exiles" EP (1988) M.C.M. (credited as F.O.C.)
- "Tomorrow's Sunset" (1989) Thin Line (credited as Buzzcocks F.O.C.)
Studio albums
- The Big Secret (1984) Not on label (cassette format only)
- Northwest Skyline (1987) M.C.M. (credited as F.O.C.)
- War on the Wireless Set (1988) MCM America (credited as F.O.C.) – a collection of outtakes from 1981–1986, including the 1986 single "New House"
Compilation albums
- The Best of Steve Diggle and Flag of Convenience - The Secret Public Years 1981-1989 (1994) Anagram (credited as Steve Diggle and the Flag of Convenience)
- Here's One I Made Earlier - Best of Steve Diggle, Flag of Convenience, F.O.C. and Buzzcocks F.O.C. (1995) Ax-s (credited as Steve Diggle)