The Flies (English band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Wanstead, East London , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Psychedelic pop music, singles |
The Flies, alternatively recognized as No Flies on Us, were a psychedelic pop ensemble originating from Wanstead, East London, established in 1965. Their discography includes three singles, with their rendition of "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" standing out as the most notable. Although they did not achieve commercial success at the time, their music later attracted attention following the inclusion of this track on the early psychedelic compilation Chocolate Soup for Diabetics, Volume 1.
History
Initially named the Rebs, the group comprised Robin Hunt (lead vocals, drums), Ian Baldwin (bass guitar), George Haywood (lead guitar), Brian Gill (lead guitar), John Da Costa (rhythm guitar, keyboards), and Peter Dunton (drums). In 1966, performing as In-Sect, they recorded an album for RCA Records titled Introducing the In-Sect Direct from London, which primarily featured covers of popular British Invasion songs. Later that year, adopting the name No Flies on Us, they auditioned for Decca Records with demo tracks including their take on Paul Revere and the Raiders' "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" and "Just Won't Do". After shortening their name to the Flies, they secured a contract with Decca.
Their October 1966 release was a psychedelic pop cover of "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" backed by "Talk to Me". This single gained regional popularity, reaching number 11 on Wonderful Radio London's Fab 40 chart. The Flies served as opening acts for major British groups such as the Move, the Who, and the Moody Blues. They also shared the stage with the Jimi Hendrix Experience at London's Roundhouse in February 1967. Known for their provocative live performances, during the April 1967 14-Hour Technicolor Dream festival, they showered the audience with exploding flour bags. Additionally, they became notorious for heckling Pink Floyd as "sell outs" at the UFO Club; Syd Barrett responded by referencing them in his solo projects and album artwork.
In mid-1967, their follow-up single showcased a heavier rock style with "House of Love" alongside the pop classic "It Had to Be You," reflecting a musical direction akin to Sopwith Camel or the New Vaudeville Band. Robin Hunt's solo effort under Alexander Bell produced "Alexander Bell Theme," featuring guitarist Jimmy Page. The Flies' last single, "The Magic Train," was released through RCA Records in 1968 but failed to attract significant attention. Despite exploring organ-centric arrangements in unreleased demos, the band dissolved by the end of that year.
While not standing out distinctly within England’s psychedelic movement, the Flies have retained interest primarily due to their "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" cover appearing on influential compilations such as Chocolate Soup for Diabetics, Volume 1, The British Psychedelic Trip: 1966 - 1969, The Electric Crayon Set, and Rubble, Volume 3. In 2002, Won-Sin Records released The Complete Collection: 1965 - 1968, assembling their official releases along with alternate takes, demos, and recordings from their time as In-Sect.