Jammerzine Exclusive: An Interview With A Flock Of Seagulls

Many of us who lived in the realm that was the 1980s remember the music. We also remember the memories that music became the soundtrack for. It is forever timestamped in our minds. And for those of you who were born after that glorious decade of MTV, FM radio, Pepsi Free, and time-traveling DeLoreans, that music still touched you in a more nostalgic sense. For many of you that came just before or right after the ‘Reagan years’, one band that consistently comes to mind when conversation strikes of that era or A Flock Of Seagulls. Let’s face it, they dominated the airwaves, both radio and tv with some of the highest amounts of plays on FM and MTV, which is a record that stands to this day.  And now they are about to re-image a substantial part of their catalog of hits with their new album, the first to feature all four original members in 34 years, titled ‘Ascension’. The album will also feature the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to create a new, full spectrum of sounds, giving a new interpretation to each and every track as well as a new song courtesy of the flock!

Today we get to talk with Frank Maudsley, the original bassist of A Flock Of Seagulls about ‘Ascension’, the reforming and creative processes behind the new album as well as what the flock has in store.

‘Ascension’ comprises twelve tracks from across the band’s catalog, recorded by the full original line-up in studios around the world, all featuring the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The band has lost none of their power or majesty in the intervening years since their last recordings as a collective.

‘Ascension’ is set to be released on June 29th on the August Day label. See links below for details.

About A Flock Of Seagulls & ‘Ascension’
For the first time since 1984, all four original members of one of the most iconic bands of the 1980’s appear on a record together for their new album “Ascension”. The recording puts a new and unique spin on their greatest hits by performing orchestral versions with the renowned Prague Philharmonic Orchestra providing the backing. Growing out of the synth-heavy and ruthlessly stylish new romantic movement, Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) along with his brother Ali (drums); Frank Maudsley (bass) and guitarist Paul Reynolds have transcended the music scene to become icons for the whole decade.

A Flock of Seagulls may well be known for their bizarrely extravagant haircuts as much as their hit single “I Ran”, but legions of their fans from their early days, as well as those who have joined their musical cult in the years since, recognise that their musical influence on countless bands has been under-appreciated for far too long.

@seagullsrunning [rotatingtweets screen_name=’seagullsrunning’]

After initially making waves in the underground dance scenes of Europe, their signing to Jive and the release of their debut album in 1982 led to heavy MTV rotation with their singles “I Ran” and “Wishing”, with the latter hitting the US Top 40 and the Top Ten in the UK. Further hits, “Space Age Love Song” and “The Story of a Young Heart” couldn’t prevent the band from going their separate ways in 1984, though their iconic sound and image permeated into popular culture, from TV (Chandler’s haircut in Friends); computer games (“I Ran” was the standout track on Grand Theft Auto Radio) to film (the band and haircuts are referenced in Pulp Fiction, X-Men and The Wedding Singer).

LINKS:
https://soundcloud.com/aflockofseagulls
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcluFtLtRzipm7CdtERnceA
https://facebook.com/seagullsrunning
https://twitter.com/seagullsrunning
https://instragram.com/seagullsrunning
http://www.aflockofseagulls.org