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The Flex (band)

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The Flex
The Flex performing in 2022
Background information
Also known asRick Flex (2012)
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
GenresHardcore punk, tough guy hardcore
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • Quality Control
  • Painkiller
  • Milk Run
  • Video Disease
  • Bleeding Edges
  • Lockin' Out
Spinoff ofViolent Reaction
Members
  • Sam Laycock
  • Liam Fox
  • Dave Egan
  • Andy Jones
  • Tom Pimlott
Past members
  • Rick Savage

The Flex (formerly known as Rick Flex)[1] are an English hardcore punk band from Leeds, West Yorkshire. In an article by NoEcho, they were cited as one of the progenitors of the New Wave of British Hardcore.[2]

History

[edit]

The band formed in 2012 under the name Rick Flex from members of other UK hardcore bands (including Arms Race and Violent Reaction),[3] playing different instruments to those that they were used to,[4] for the original guitarist Rick Savage's birthday party, however due to in-band tensions, he was eventually replaced by then-drummer Liam Fox and Tom Pimlott of Violent Reaction was recruited to play drums.[5] On 10 May, they released their debut demo.[6] In February 2013, they opened for Rotting Out on their UK tour.[7] On 23 March 2013 they released their debut EP Scum On The Run through Video Disease and Milk Run Records.[8] In May 2014, they toured the U.S. with Violent Reaction.[9][10] On 19 March 2015, they released their second EP "Flexual Healing Vol.5: Do Ya Think I'm Flexi?"[11] and 23 March released their third EP Don't Bother with the Outside World.[12] Between April and May of the same year, they toured the U.S. supporting Red Death,[11] followed by a European Headline tour in June and August.[12] On 1 June 2016, the band opened for Power Trip at the Boston Music Room in London.[13] In April 2018, they played Damaged City festival in Washington D.C.,[14][15] followed by releasing their EP Flexual Healing Vol 7: Perhaps the War is Over? Perhaps it's Peace? on the 19th of the same month.[16][17] In June 2019, they opened for Have Heart at their matinee Leeds reunion show.[18]

Musical style

[edit]

The band have been described as hardcore punk[7][19] and tough guy hardcore.[16][20] Their music is influenced by the sound of '80s New York and Boston hardcore like Agnostic Front and SSD.[21] Max Cussons of Contactmusic described their sound as "clobbering two-stepping punk".[22] Gav Russell of CVLT Nation described them as "a band who trim away all the fat to leave a no-frills, 80’s infused hardcore battering of the finest order".[4]

Members

[edit]
The Flex performing in 2020. From left to right: Dave Egan, Sam Laycock, Andy Jones, Tom Pimlott, Liam Fox
Current
  • Sam Laycock – lead vocals (2012–present)
  • Liam Fox – guitar (2013–present), drums (2012)
  • Dave Egan – guitar (2012–present)
  • Andy Jones – bass (2012–present)
  • Tom Pimlott – drums (2013–present)
Former
  • Rick Savage – guitar (2012)

Discography

[edit]
Studio album
  • Wild Stabs in the Dark (2014)
  • Chewing Gum for the Ears (2022)
EPs
  • Scum on the Run (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.5: Do Ya Think I'm Flexi? (2015)
  • Don't Bother with the Outside World (2015)
  • Flexual Healing Vol:7: Perhaps the War is Over? Perhaps it's Peace? (2018)
Demos
  • Demo (2012)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.1 (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.3: T.H.E. F.L.E.X. (2014)
Live
  • Flexual Healing Vol.2: in the Doghouse (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.4: Live in the Flex House (2015)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.6: Live from the Pain Cave (2016)

Accolades

[edit]
Nominated work Year Award Result
Wild Stabs in the Dark 2014 CVLT Nation - Best UKHC Album #4[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ THE FLEX - Interview & Live Multicam HD. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  2. ^ Alva, Freddy (26 February 2015). "The New Wave of British Hardcore". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  3. ^ Gardner, Noel. "It's Noel's Straight Hedge! The Latest Punk & Hardcore Reviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c RUSSELL, GAV (16 December 2014). "CVLT NATION'S TOP 6 DIY UKHC RELEASES OF 2014". CVLT Nation. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  5. ^ "TOM PIMLOTT (THE FLEX) INTERVIEW BY CHILLER THAN MOST FANZINE / PART I." 18 March 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  6. ^ Kamiński, Karol. "THE FLEX – [DEMO] (2012)". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b Lohan, Aaron (March 2013). "Live Review: Rotting Out, Expire, The Flex and Survival – The Star and Garter, Manchester – 25/02/2013". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. ^ "The Flex Scum On The Run". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  9. ^ "UK Hardcore Band Violent Reaction Say "Leave Me Out" on New Revelation LP". Vice Media. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  10. ^ Chainey, Ian (7 May 2014). "Violent Reaction touring w/ The Flex". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  11. ^ a b Kamiński, Karol (25 March 2015). "THE FLEX streaming their new EPs!". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  12. ^ a b Hereth, Simon (20 July 2017). "THE FLEX ARRIVE ON SUMMER EUROPE TOUR". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  13. ^ BUSHELL, GLEN. "LIVE: POWER TRIP / THE FLEX / BLISTERED @ BOSTON MUSIC ROOM, LONDON". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  14. ^ PESSARO, FRED (27 October 2017). "HARDCORE AND PUNK FESTIVAL DAMAGED CITY REVEALS 2018 LINEUP". Revolver. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  15. ^ Gotrich, Lars. "What Does An Inclusive Hardcore Punk Festival Look Like?". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  16. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (19 April 2018). "Stream The Flex Flexual Healing Vol. 7". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  17. ^ Gautier, Alexis. "THE FLEX – FLEXUAL HEALING VOL 7". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  18. ^ Kamiński, Karol (27 February 2019). "HAVE HEART reunite; playing exclusive reunion shows this Summer! [UPDATE]". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  19. ^ Kamiński, Karol (14 March 2018). "British hardcore crew THE FLEX return with new EP". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  20. ^ Camp, Zoe (24 February 2017). "You'll 'Relate' to Higher Power's Blend of Grunge, Funk and Hardcore". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  21. ^ Moyer, Matthew. "U.K. hardcore standouts the Flex blaze into town for Monday night moshing". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  22. ^ Cussons, Max (2 August 2019). "Have Heart - The Stylus, Leeds 21.07.2019 Live Review". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
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