Flag of Convenience | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1982–1989 |
| Labels |
|
| Past members | Steve Diggle John Maher Dave Farrow Dave "D.P." Prescott Gary Hamer Mark Burke Steve Mac Dean Sumner John Caine Gaz Connor Chris Goodwin Andy Couzens[1] |
Flag of Convenience were a rock group formed in 1982 by former Buzzcocks members Steve Diggle and John Maher, along with bassist Dave Farrow and keyboard player Dave "D.P." Prescott.[2] Through their first two line-ups they were managed by the writer and music critic Michael Gray, shortly after his personal management of Gerry Rafferty. Hence the band's first single was produced by Rafferty's co-producer Hugh Murphy. The band continued with changing line-ups until 1989, with later incarnations releasing records under the names F.O.C. and Buzzcocks F.O.C.[2] The final incarnation of the band included former member of the Stone Roses Andy Couzens and former Inspiral Carpets drummer Chris Goodwin, who both went on to form the High.[2] The band ended when Diggle joined Pete Shelley in a re-formed Buzzcocks, the reunion prompted by controversy over the use of "Buzzcocks" in the billing of Diggle's band.[3][4]
In a review of the 'best of' compilation The Secret Public Years 1981-1989, AllMusic described the later F.O.C. work as proof that Diggle was "one of the most important and overlooked artists in all of Britain during the '80s".[5]
- ^ McGartland, Tony (25 May 2017). "Steve Diggle and Flag of Convenience: Solo Discography". Buzzcocks: The Complete History. John Blake Publishing Ltd. p. 327. ISBN 978-1-78606-520-9.
- ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
- ^ Jack Rabid "Flag of Convenience", Trouser Press
- ^ Dannelley, Ronnie (1996) "Never Mind the Pistols, Here's the Buzzcocks", Pop Culture Press, Issue 40
- ^ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover "The Secret Public Years: 1981-1989 Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation