“Our relationship drives everything we do — ” so says the lead singer of indie-rock band FLIGHT BRIGADE Ollie Baines.
This seven-piece band, from London & Hampshire, with violin, keyboards and electric guitars, boast some impressive intermixing of male/female vocals, and with their retro synths, are bound to be compared to Arcade Fire or Fleetwood Mac. Ollie’s evocative story-milling sets these artists apart from their peers… and they’re an an actual family unit too: Ollie (vox & rhythm guitar) and Miriam (vox & synth) are married. Miriam and violinist Dorry are sisters.
They grew-up on a hippy commune in Hampshire where Ollie’s family settled, having moved to the U.K. from Ohio. Bassist Tom Clay, lead guitarist Thomas Pink, keyboardist Jonny Barker and drummer Neil Blandford were childhood friends who lived nearby.
Their eulogising single, “Fury Road” tells of the fragile beauty of life; it has flexible creativity, a quantifiable thrust, and in some respects it is jazzy, semi-classical and avant-garde — yet the piece develops as a complete entity. We have described it as: “A holy extravaganza of rock…”
The band’s second album “Chased By Wolves” will be released 13th September 2019 and includes this single and other provocative & atmospheric stories… we had a listen:
With a rumble of troublesome drums, the title track: “Chased By Wolves” haunts into existence with its edgy, jangly guitars creating a highly-strung atmosphere. “Have you ever been chased by wolves...” they sing. This song is about being scared (in the music industry?) so you guess that yes they have. If you like lush-lite pop ‘n’ folk harmonies and stylishly sleek 1970s style adult rock — especially the 1977 incarnation of Fleetwood Mac — this is sure to impress.
The jouncing and visionary showpiece “Tinderbox” is about arguing with a person we love the most. This number is first and foremost an ethereal, perhaps almost secular, chorale with fragmentary flakes of sound that connect to one another to create a cohesive musical form. It’s satisfying and distinctive.
The soft and wonderfully addictive “Sirens” — a song about how addicts hide their habits — was first released in 2014. Back then we thought the song was “svelte and purified” and it reminded us of the output from English progressive rock band “Renaissance” (post their reorganization in ‘71) . It has the same folk, rock, jazz and classical tendencies. We think the song-mechanics — especially the strict rhythm forms — are beautified by the honeyed textures and rendered with heavenly, angelic blush. Depicted here is true happiness of the soul. But only if you open your heart with honesty and expose your vulnerability.
“Where Eagles Dare” has a distinctive, driving beat and reminds us of something you might have found on an early Miami Vice soundtrack. It’s about a band’s journey and also about (perhaps) losing an identity while pursuing a dream. The guitar here is sparkling and the vocals are delicious. After hearing it, the ear-worm chorus: “silver bullet to the heart…” will stay inside your nugget for weeks!
“Alligators” is a grand tribute to the D-Day veteran’s in this anniversary year and especially to Leslie James Pink (the guitarist’s grandfather.) Many vets of the war witnessed horrific scenes yet they lived privately with the nightmare consequences (PTSD was largely unrecognized in the 1950s) and this sympathetic ballad helps to alleviate the guilt. The voices are compassionate and the keys are trembling, helping to remind us of the sacrifices that were given.
If you demand quality and sophistication in your sounds and you’re forever longing for Phil Collins, Godley & Creme and maybe Glenn Frey, then FLIGHT BRIGADE will be right up your street. Very highly recommended.
Words: @neilmach 2019 ©
FB fans can PRE-ORDER the new album here, to get a free track instantly: https://www.flightbrigade.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/flightbrigademusic/
FLIGHT BRIGADE OCTOBER 2019 UK TOUR DATES
Manchester, Retro
Thursday 3 October
Chester, Telford’s Warehouse
Friday 4 October
Newcastle, Head Of Steam
Saturday 5 October
Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
Thursday 10 October
Reading, Readipop
Saturday 12 October
Southampton, Joiners
Sunday 13 October
Bath, The Bell
Wednesday 16 October
Bristol, Mr Wolfs
Thursday 17 October
Isle of Wight, Strings
Friday 18 October
Exeter, Cavern
Saturday 19 October
Brighton, Latest Music Bar
Wednesday 23 October
London, O2 Academy 2 Islington
Thursday 24 October
Birmingham, Centrala
Friday 25 October
Guildford, The Star Inn
Saturday 26 October
RAW RAMP 