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Subject: A Flock Of Seagulls
I heard through the grapevine that the original AFOS was reuniting for a show. It was on VH1 on 10/27. Too bad I missed it!
I never got to see them in their original incarnation. They were my *favorite* band from 1981 through 1984, when I discovered Depeche Mode.
Anyway, I was psyched when they toured again in 1988. I waited with baited breath at the Paradise in Boston for AFOS to take to the stage. When they finally did, I was crestfallen.
Four goofy guys appeared, and none of them were Paul Reynolds, Frank Maudsley, or Ali Score. I heard a girl gasp, "There He is!" It was Mike Score, but what happened to him? He had put on about seventy-five pounds and his hair was gone. I mean, he wasn't wearing the post-impressionistic seagull style I used to imitate. Instead, it was all stringy and hangind down over his shoulders.
"How is Boston these days?," he murmured, and lurched into a rendition of "Nightmares" that was a nightmare itself. "Space Age Love Song," "Wishing," it was like he wasn't even trying to carry the tune. And that band? Where did he find those idiots? The show jerked along in fits and starts. He pulled out some new songs, real dogs like "Magic," and "Setting Sun." I felt a tinge of pity. Mike looked about as debauched as David Crosby.
Did they do "I Ran"? I don't know. My girlfriend tugged my arm, she wanted to leave early so we could catch the streetcar. I put up no fight. :'(
I wish I'd seen them in '83, at their peak and opening up with The Fixx on the Police tour. I was only 14 then, and you can't always get there at that age.
I'm still a diehard fan of their early years, though, and I've got better AFOS memories.
AFOS 1983, btw, 1983 was my favorite year in pop music. British synth pop was at its hight and MTV played good videos, so many good ones I could watch it for six hours without blinking! I'm not the only one who noted the greatness of 1983. Rhino Records put out a double disc called MTV: Class of 1983, an '80s comp worth seeking out.
Max
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
Wow! It's hard to believe that they could change so much in just a few short years! :o
I saw them in 1984 and they looked pretty much the way I remembered them from their music videos. The show was good...it was actually my first concert! ;D
Ah, memories....
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
I also recommend the MTV: Class of 83 2 CD set. A lot of good stuff on there. My favorite Flock Of Seagulls song is Space Age Love Song.
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
You didn't miss it Max. The concert was filmed in October but it won't be airing on VH1 until January. Check out their official website, there is tons of information. http://www.airbornedivision.com/index.php Did you know they won a Grammy award in 1983 for the song D.N.A.?
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
There was a bit of hyperbole in my description of the 1988 concert. ;D
I wasn't expecting it to be like 1983, but I didn't know Mike was the only one of the original four left. I didn't see him until years later, when VH1 started doing '80s retro. He looked much better in '95 than he did in '88. That year ('95) he was pushing the album "The Light at the End of The World." The record was total schlock, but Mike's radiantly optimistic attitude can warm you up to anything. "You can't get rid of Flock of Seagulls," said he, "Doesn't happen!"
Everything I've read about the four original members makes them out to be really nice guys. Mike lives in Florida and does quite well for himself. No word on his day job, or even if he needs one beyond the AFOS business. Ali lives in Boston and works for computer company that makes touch screens. Paul and Frank are in the UK and remain close friends. Frank owns a newstand, "Frank's News," in Liverpool. I heard Frank had a terrible alcohol problem, but I don't know the full skinny on that. Paul took up various jazz and rock gigs, and I can't remember what else. There's a neat interview page with "Paul "Reno" Reynolds somewhere, I'll post the link if I can find it again. This all could be old news.
Yes, I knew about DNA winning the Best Instrumental Grammy for '83. They weren't at the ceremony to accept it because their management screwed them up. Mike speculates they might've seen greater success had they gotten the prestigious exposure from the ceremony.
My favorite AFOS song has got to be "Wishing." As a bona-fide fan, I'd rather it was a deep cut or a B-Side, rather than one of the hits, but "Wishing" has a hypnotic beauty to it that I never tire of. The longer the mix, the better! The song "Over the Border" is a much stronger track than "Transfer Affection." They should have released it as the third single after "Nightmares." I'm also very fond of the "Listen" instrumentals, "2:30," "Rosenmontag," and "The Last Flight of Yuri Gagarin." I always wished they continued in that direction.
Trivia: their producer Mike Howlett played bass in the prog rock group Gong. He also produced for OMD. The late Conny Plank produced Brian Eno, Cluster, Ultravox, and many others. It's no wonder "Listen" leaned in a more electronic-progressive direction! Bill Nelson, who produced, "(It's Not Me) Talking" is a world of music unto himself. I have a bunch of his records. I recommend seeking out the early single "Talking"b/w "Factory Music." This was on Nelson's Cocteau label. "Talking" is a harder edged version of the song that would be "(It's Not Me)..."
I could drag this post on ad nauseam, but I'll be merciful! :P
I'll keep my eyes peeled for AFOS on VH1 next month.
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
BACK SO SOON, EH?
AFOS 1983, Thanks for posting the Airborne Divison link, I missed it the first time I read your post!
Class of 1983 includes Spandau Ballet's "Gold," I didn't like it then, but I sure like it now! It's also got Planet P's "Why Me," which has a great cheesy reggae beat, and one of the best ominous synth riffs. I do reccomend collecting all fifteen volumes of Rhino's "New Wave Hits of the '80s." Easy to do now that you can find 'em in all the cut out bins and flea markets!
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
Wow you know your stuff Max! Do you have the Listen CD? I just got it last week from eBay, boy do they go for top dollar, I paid $81.00. A record company called Beehive released it on CD in 1992. The Story of a Young Heart CD isn't as expensive, I got one for $38. I was able to find the Self Titled and Best Of at Best Buy. Dream Come True has never been released on CD. There were rumors that 250 copies of the album were pressed on CD, but no evidence has surfaced to back this up. I love the instrumentals from Listen. Rosenmontag has hints of industrial, I'm guessing an emulator was used in the song. Last Flight Of Yuri Gagarin has some strange stereo separation effects throughout the song, it sounds like 3D. They were doing some innovative things back then.
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
I LOVE this band, one of my absolute favorites from the 80s. I Ran may have been their biggest hit, but I don't even think that's their best song. It is a good song, mind you, but not as good as some of their others. I too wish I could have seen them at the zenith of their fame. :( Oh well. Now if only the record companies would release all their albums with rare tracks and B-sides. One can only hope. :-/ I have all of them except for Listen and Dream Come True. I absolutely love their Story of a Young Heart album, especially the title track and European (Wish I Was). It may not have done that well at all, but I always enjoy listening to it. Does anyone else enjoy that album too? I'd have to say my favorite is Wishing too. A wonderful hypnotic song. Very cool. 8)
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
AFOS 1983,
Holy cow! You paid $81.00 for the "Listen" CD? I got mine from a flea market about eight years ago. I paid ten or twelve bucks for it. The inlay card lists the same tracks as the vinyl album, but the CD itself lists the instrumentals (Rosenmontag, Last Flight...) which were previously appended to the cassette.
However, If you can find a copy of the Nightmares 12," snap it up (assuming you have a turntable). These versions of the instrumentals are a bit longer. You also get the full version of Nightmares, which extends the creepy interlude by about a minute. Did you know "Nightmares" was inspired by "Mommie Dearest?" "I Ran" was inspired by "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
Mike Score deliberately routed the sci-fi image from the band after the "Listen" album. He said he didn't want AFOS to become the next "Hawkwind." I just wish they hadn't tried to be a love balladeering rock band. I DO like most of the songs on "Story of a Young Heart." "The More You Live..." is a masterstroke of Fairlight computer engineering. The texture is just delicious. I also like the title cut, "European," "Remember David," "Suicide Day," and "The End." I can do without "Never Again (The Dancer)," it's ANNOYING, "Over My Head," and "Heart of Steel," what are we, Foreigner? I don't yet have it on CD.
If you have the "Best Of..." album, "Who's That Girl?" is indicative of the rest of "Dream Come True," a record I found hokey and ANNOYING. It's full of luuuv song cliches, lines like "it takes a whol lot of lovin' to make this world go 'round," and "cry like a baby "Say So Much" -- "I wish I could take you home and lay you in my bed/I wish I could teach you all the things your mother never did....Oh, you're just sweet sixteen, but I still love you..." Mike, please! Oh, the song "Love on Your Knees" should never have seen the light of day! ("Sometimes when I love you, I L-O-V-E love you, I do anything to getcha on your knees" Yeeesh!)
The "Best of..." album erroneously lists the instrumental version of "The More You Live..." as "Story of a Young Heart." There are three compilation AFOS records that look worthwhile, "20 Classics," "Telecommunications," and "Platinum and Gold." I don't have any of these myself. The remix album is obviously horrible. KMFDM remixing "Space Age Love Song"? No thanks. Oh, the band Sunshine Blind does an excellent synthless version of S.A.L.S.
My current favorite on the first album is "Man Made." I love the apocalyptic lyrics and the psychedelic mix of synth and guitar that goes on for th last few minutes.
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
Quoting:
AFOS 1983,
Holy cow! You paid $81.00 for the "Listen" CD? I got mine from a flea market about eight years ago. I paid ten or twelve bucks for it. The inlay card lists the same tracks as the vinyl album, but the CD itself lists the instrumentals (Rosenmontag, Last Flight...) which were previously appended to the cassette.
However, If you can find a copy of the Nightmares 12," snap it up (assuming you have a turntable). These versions of the instrumentals are a bit longer. You also get the full version of Nightmares, which extends the creepy interlude by about a minute. Did you know "Nightmares" was inspired by "Mommie Dearest?" "I Ran" was inspired by "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
Mike Score deliberately routed the sci-fi image from the band after the "Listen" album. He said he didn't want AFOS to become the next "Hawkwind." I just wish they hadn't tried to be a love balladeering rock band. I DO like most of the songs on "Story of a Young Heart." "The More You Live..." is a masterstroke of Fairlight computer engineering. The texture is just delicious. I also like the title cut, "European," "Remember David," "Suicide Day," and "The End." I can do without "Never Again (The Dancer)," it's ANNOYING, "Over My Head," and "Heart of Steel," what are we, Foreigner? I don't yet have it on CD.
If you have the "Best Of..." album, "Who's That Girl?" is indicative of the rest of "Dream Come True," a record I found hokey and ANNOYING. It's full of luuuv song cliches, lines like "it takes a whol lot of lovin' to make this world go 'round," and "cry like a baby "Say So Much" -- "I wish I could take you home and lay you in my bed/I wish I could teach you all the things your mother never did....Oh, you're just sweet sixteen, but I still love you..." Mike, please! Oh, the song "Love on Your Knees" should never have seen the light of day! ("Sometimes when I love you, I L-O-V-E love you, I do anything to getcha on your knees" Yeeesh!)
The "Best of..." album erroneously lists the instrumental version of "The More You Live..." as "Story of a Young Heart." There are three compilation AFOS records that look worthwhile, "20 Classics," "Telecommunications," and "Platinum and Gold." I don't have any of these myself. The remix album is obviously horrible. KMFDM remixing "Space Age Love Song"? No thanks. Oh, the band Sunshine Blind does an excellent synthless version of S.A.L.S.
My current favorite on the first album is "Man Made." I love the apocalyptic lyrics and the psychedelic mix of synth and guitar that goes on for th last few minutes.
End Quote
Yeah the Listen CD has gone way up in value, It would be nice if their entire back catalogue was released, a box set would be awesome. The Listen and Story CD's weren't in print very long. I think they only released in Europe, I don't know. I'd like to get the Nightmares single, which has the extended version of Rosenmontag. You don't like Never Again? It's one of my favorite songs from Story. Do you notice that the version of The More You Live... on the Jive Best Of CD is the 7" Remix? It sounds somewhat hallow to me, I prefer the original version which is on the Story CD. I don't know why The More You Live, the More You Love (Full Moon Mix) is listed as The Story of A Young Heart on the Jive Best Of CD. Their is also another Best Of released by Music Club that has some rare B-sides. I would recommend the 20 Classics of The 80s CD. It has 5 songs from Dream Come True, you know I like some of the songs from this album. I think they were trying to go for a more mainstream pop sound. I think How Could You Ever Leave Me could have been a hit. They released a B-side from DCT called Cosmos (Effects of The Sun) It's over 12 minutes long! It's a pretty cool song. I've heard some of the new remixes by other artist they blow :P
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
I've never heard "Cosmos," (Heartbeat Like a Drum B-Side) but someone on Airborne described it as a bit of a return to an earlier sound.
I might try to find a copy.
I might burn "Story of a Young Heart" to CD from the vinyl. We have the software at my radio station (I work for a university radio station) to do it. There are a TON of records that will never be released on CD that I'd like to do that with.
You see, I don't have a turntable anymore. I gradually replaced as many records as I could with CD, and sold or traded my vinyl. I also donated a bunch to my station, including AFOS. I maintaining a turntable, and taking up all that space with records. I have more music than I can possibly listen to as it is!
I would like to get their videos. "Nightmares" is a great video, I still remember it, though I haven't SEEN it in 19 years. Yes, it's been that long, my God! The "Wishing" video imitates the set of "Aliens," and does it just right. "The More You Live..." is a beach video. I don't mean like Huey Lewis "If This is It" (though that would have been interesting), it's just them in a montage of beach scenery.
I actually wrote to the Airborne Division in Minneapolis back in '83, but the fan club never got back to me. :'(
Besides "The More You Live..." my favorite on "Story" is "Remember David." I like its passion and urgency. Never found out who the hell this David was.
Sometime around '97 a record marketer sent me a compilation with a song credited to "Scorey." I don't remember the title, but it was Mike Score and someone else. It was sort of a dreamy pop melody with just a few lyrics. Jeez, I gotta see if I can find that compilation again. College radio stations get so many bad rock comps. The promoter was running a contest with a prize for whoever could identify the band "Scorey" used to be in. He's the one who told me about Frank Maudsley's alcoholism.
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
I've started burning all the AFOS vinyl onto CD. I listened to "Story of a Young Heart" last night. That record is a lot better than I remembered it. I don't like it stylistically as much as the earlier records, but "Story" is musically more melodious and complex. I take back what I said about "Never Again (The Dancer)." That's a great song! The other "Story" songs I said I didn't like, "Over My Head," and "Heart of Steel" are pretty good too! ;D
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
What an intense reunion show! I really enjoyed watching the four guys after twenty years. No one at the time mentioned Paul Reynolds suffering a nervous breakdown, or that Mke and Ali Score were in a heated rivalry. Neither revelation comes as a surprise.
Frank Maudsley gives off a strangely boisterous air, likable but a little off-putting. He looked better than I thought, though, since I heard the rumor about his alcoholism.
Ali Score used to live up in Boston, so it was surprising to see him working at a "plastics plant" in NC. He's got this "average bloke" look to him, like he's your friend's dad. He looked kind of like that when he was 25!
I wish they'd spent more time interviewing "Reno," he's an intense guy, and a bit more insightful than the others. He was also the biggest talent in the band.
It was funny seeing the family resemblance in "Mum" Score.
This is the only Bands Reunited episode I've seen. You'd think they would get to play at least three songs without interruption. The whole point was to get them together for a gig. It's ironic that Mike Score has been gigging all this time because his voice sounded like he hadn't even tried to sing for fifteen year. Man, he was hitting sour notes up there!
Overall though, this AFOS fan is pleased as punch with the program. ;D
Subject: Re: A Flock Of Seagulls
I agree... The reunion VH-1 show was intense. I was happy for them. They were able to re-create something magical again. Mum Score enjoyed the show...but I'm sure she was very pleased to see her two sons back in the same room again after so many years and tears...
Man...I bet there were so many different kinds of emotions. My heart went out to the guys... In a personal way, it made me realize it was time for me to bury the "hatchet" and mend things between me and a brother. I don't wanna see 20 years go by like the Score brothers did. Life is short... Can't turn back time... :(