Flag of Convenience (band)

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 D.P.^[1] 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.^[1] 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.^[1] 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.^[2][3]

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".^[4]

Discography

Singles

• "Life on the Telephone" (1982) Sire
• "Change" (1984) Weird Systems
• "New House" (1986) M.C.M.
• "Last Train to Safety" (1987) Flag of Convenience
• "Should I Ever Go Deaf" (1987) M.C.M. (as F.O.C.)
• "Exiles" (1988) M.C.M. (as F.O.C.)
• "Tomorrow's Sunset" (1989) Thin Line (as Buzzcocks F.O.C.)
• "Heated and Rising" (1993) 3:30 (as Steve Diggle & the Flag of Convenience)

Albums

• Northwest Skyline (1987) M.C.M.
• War on the Wireless Set (1988) MCM America
• Here's One I Made Earlier (1995) Ax-s (as Steve Diggle & the Flag of Convenience)
• The Best of Steve Diggle and Flag of Convenience - The Secret Public Years 1981-1989 (2000) Anagram

References