The Flys (British band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Coventry , England |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles, EPs |
The Flys were a punk rock group originating from Coventry, England, established in 1976. Initially, they independently released their EP Bunch of Fives before securing a contract with EMI Records. Under EMI, they produced the albums Waikiki Beach Refugees and Own. In 1980, the band transitioned to Parlophone but disbanded shortly thereafter.
History
The Flys evolved from the Coventry-based band Midnight Circus, which included Dave Freeman on guitar and vocals, Joe Hughes handling bass, Neil O'Connor contributing vocals, guitar, and keyboards, alongside a rotating lineup of drummers. The lineup solidified in 1976 when Pete King joined as drummer, officially forming Flys.
Their early performances involved supporting the punk outfit the Buzzcocks. By late 1977, with Lyn Dobson adding saxophone, they self-published the EP Bunch of Five, featuring the track "Love and a Molotov Cocktail". This release caught the attention of EMI Records, who signed them despite having previously declined Midnight Circus.
January 1978 saw their first EMI release: the EP Love and a Molotov Cocktail, which included two songs from their initial EP plus "Civilisation". The single garnered favorable critiques. Following this, in April, they issued "Fun City" with "E.C.4." as its B-side.
Their debut album, Waikiki Beach Refugees, arrived in October 1978 and contained a reworked version of "Fun City", the single "Beverley", and the title track—previously released as a single. Early in 1979, they toured alongside bands such as The Psychedelic Furs, Pretenders, and Black Slate. Drummer Pete King departed and was succeeded by Graham Deakin. EMI also compiled their earlier recordings in The Rare Stuff.
October 1979 marked the release of their second album Own, comprising 14 new tracks; this was their final project with EMI. Despite steady output, none of their singles or albums entered UK charts. They then signed with Parlophone Records, releasing the EP Four from the Square, which included two songs from Own. Their last single was "What Will Mother Say?" before the group dissolved.
After Neil O'Connor left to join his sister Hazel O'Connor's band, Flys disbanded in 1980. In 1990, See for Miles Records released a compilation titled Love and a Molotov Cocktail, which Q Magazine characterized as "angry, angsty guitar tunes with power chords." The debut album was reissued in 2001 featuring bonus material. The German band Die Toten Hosen covered "Love and a Molotov Cocktail" in 1991. Later on, Joe Hughes and David Freeman collaborated in the 1980s new wave ensemble The Lover Speaks.
Influences and musical style
Emerging from the British punk movement of the 1970s and drawing inspiration from bands like The Damned and the Buzzcocks, their sound integrated strong melodic elements. Their music is often classified as power pop or described as blending punk with pop sensibilities, which more accurately captures their style.
Members
- Dave Freeman – guitar, vocals
- Joe Hughes – bass
- Neil O'Connor – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Pete King – drums
- Graham Deakin – drums
- Lyn Dobson – saxophone
Discography
- Bunch of Five EP released in 1977 (Zama)
- Love and a Molotov Cocktail EP issued in 1978 (EMI)
- Fun City album from 1978 (EMI)
- Waikiki Beach Refugees released in 1978 (EMI)
- Waikiki Beach Refugees LP launched in 1978 (EMI)
- Beverly (Edited Version) single from 1979 (EMI)
- Name Dropping track issued in 1979 (EMI)
- We Are The Lucky Ones/Living in the Sticks single released in 1979 (EMI)
- Own LP published in 1979 (EMI)
- Four From the Square EP from 1980 (Parlophone)
- What Will Mother Say released in 1980 (Parlophone)