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]

Flag of Convenience
Origin	Manchester, England
Genres	Alternative rock, post-punk, new wave, indie rock
Years active	1982–1989
Labels	Sire, M.C.M.
Associated acts	Steve Diggle Buzzcocks The High
Past members	Steve Diggle John Maher Dave Farrow D.P. Gary Hamer Mark Burke John Caine Andy Couzens Chris Goodwin

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

1. Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
2. Jack Rabid "Flag of Convenience", Trouser Press
3. Dannelley, Ronnie (1996) "Never Mind the Pistols, Here's the Buzzcocks", Pop Culture Press, Issue 40
4. Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover "The Secret Public Years: 1981-1989 Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation