Flop (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Flop was a rock ensemble originating from Seattle, active from 1990. They issued music through Frontier and Sony 550 labels and made a brief appearance in Doug Pray's film Hype!.
Formation and Early Years (1990–1991)
The founding members of Flop consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Rusty Willoughby, guitarist Bill Campbell, bassist Paul Schurr, and drummer Nate Johnson. Willoughby, Campbell, and Schurr lived together in a Craftsman-style home located in Seattle’s University District, close to the University of Washington campus.
As their respective previous bands—Pure Joy, Chemistry Set, and Seers of Bavaria—were winding down, these three musicians began working together. Johnson, who played drums for the Seattle punk group The Fastbacks, joined after regularly attending their sessions, completing the lineup. Initially an informal collaboration, they adopted the name "Flop," inspired by a local theater review headline.
Their debut live show was as the opening act for Game Theory at the Husky Union Building of the University of Washington. Although they were originally scheduled to perform as Pure Joy, Flop took the stage instead, marking the conclusion of Pure Joy. Early performances were characterized by heavy alcohol consumption and instrument destruction, which resulted in bans from venues in Vancouver and Bellingham.
Flop’s first official release was the 1990 7-inch EP The Losing End, containing four tracks including "The Losing End" and "Somehow." This was issued by Lucky Records with cover artwork created by Rusty Willoughby’s brother Randy. Following this was the single Drugs, which featured a rendition of The Sweet’s "Action." Willoughby later expressed dissatisfaction with this release, citing poor editing and subpar song quality; notably, its sleeve displayed autopsy images sourced from Schurr’s pre-medical textbooks.
Following the Drugs release, Johnson took a year-long break in Alaska, leading to a temporary halt in band activities. After his return, Flop proceeded to record their 1992 debut full-length album Flop and the Fall of the Mopsqueezer!.
Flop and the Fall of the Mopsqueezer! (1992–1993)
The album Flop and the Fall of the Mopsqueezer! was primarily tracked at Egg Studios in Seattle under the guidance of producer Kurt Bloch. It was released through Lisa Fancher’s Frontier Records, with vinyl editions available on Dashboard Hula Girl Records. Four songs—"I Told A Lie," "Anne," "Tomato Paste," and "Hello"—were subsequently issued on the band's 7-inch EP We Are You via Munster Records. Rusty Willoughby recalled that most basic tracks were laid down shortly after a concert in Vancouver; Johnson’s return from Alaska revitalized the group’s creative energy during recording.
Whenever You're Ready (1993–1994)
This album caught the attention of Stuart Meyer from A&R at Epic Records, who signed Flop amid the height of alternative rock's mainstream success and Seattle’s music scene prominence. Their only major label album, Whenever You're Ready, was produced by Kurt Bloch with mixing handled by acclaimed producer Martin Rushent. Released in 1993 under Sony 550—a subsidiary of Epic helmed by industry executive Polly Anthony—the record showcased intricate lyrics alongside innovative song arrangements.
Despite promising beginnings, Flop’s independent mindset conflicted with Epic’s corporate strategies, resulting in minimal promotional efforts. Consequently, the album did not achieve commercial success, leading to their dismissal from the label. After extensive touring—including opening for acts such as The Lemonheads and The Screaming Trees—bassist Schurr left the band. He was succeeded by former The Posies bassist Dave Fox, who joined following a European tour alongside The Posies.
World of Today (1995)
Flop returned to Frontier Records to issue their third and final full-length album, World of Today. The record included tracks addressing topics ranging from the death of Kurt Cobain to narratives inspired by arsonists. Shortly after this release, Johnson, the band's principal member, departed for Europe. The group dissolved soon thereafter, concluding their career with a farewell performance at The Casbah in San Diego.
Reunion Show (2012)
On August 18, 2012, Flop came together once more for the "Annual Country Mouse / City Mouse House Party" held at Whiting Tennis in north Seattle. Their setlist comprised 18 songs—14 performed with original bassist Paul Schurr and 4 featuring Dave Fox, who played bass on World of Today. This reunion coincided with Nate’s visit from Budapest to celebrate his parents’ 50th Wedding Anniversary. Nate had not played drums in six years, while Paul and Bill had been inactive as musicians for over a decade. A poster created by Edwin Fotheringham was screen printed and sold to approximately 100 attendees, with all proceeds supporting Music for Marriage Equality.
Critical reception
Critics have characterized Flop as a band exhibiting "dangerous tendencies toward dubious ostentation," delivering "dry-witted, intelligent pop," and possessing an identity "too idiosyncratic to be categorized alongside what most consider 'the Seattle sound'."
Musical style
Michael Sutton from AllMusic described Flop’s sound as "pure power pop," evoking the punk vigor reminiscent of The Jam and Buzzcocks.
Influences
Among the varied artists influencing the band were Buzzcocks, Patsy Cline, David Bowie, and the Beatles.
Albums
- Flop and the Fall of the Mopsqueezer! (Frontier Records, 1992)
- Whenever You're Ready (Sony 550, 1993)
- World of Today (Frontier Records, 1995)
EPs and singles
- The Losing End (Lucky Records, 1990)
- Drugs (Dashboard Hula Girl Records, 1990)
- Anne (1993)
- We Are You (Munster Records, 1993)
- Regrets (Sony 550, 1993)
- The Great Valediction (Sony 550, 1993)
- Act 1 Scene 1 (Super Electro, 1995)
- Place I Love (1995)
Compilation albums
- Another Damned Seattle Compilation (Dashboard Hula Girl Records, 1990)
- American Pie 2 (Rubber Records, 1996)
- Hype! soundtrack (Sub Pop, 1996)