Namesakes #35: The Flies / Flys

I blame The Beatles. But then, I blame The Beatles for lots of things. It might be more proper to blame The Crickets, but I won't have a word said against Buddy Holly. Whoever is responsible for starting the craze of naming bands after insects (even mis-spelled insects) has a lot to answer for. I mean, flies? Who the hell likes flies? It's no wonder none of these guys ever made the big time. Still, as you'll no doubt be aware, there are a lot of flies out there. Here's a swarm for you to choose from...

THE FLIES #1

First maggots to hatch, an Aussie band from the 60s led by Ronnie Burns. Didn't last very long, though they were hailed "the first long-haired band" in Australia. Bloody hippies. Clearly destined to be Flies-by-night.

THE FLYS #2

Flying in from West Virginia in 1966, these Fly Guys cut two singles of bluesy garage rock and then buzzed off, although some members did evolve into The Third Row. 

THE FLIES #3

London psychedelic band from the mid-60s who achieved moderate success with a cover of (I'm Not Your) Stepping Stones (Number 11 on the Wonderful Radio London Fab 40 charts... ah, the 60s). Also known as No Flies On Us, they released a couple more singles, including this one from 1968. Imagine a late 60s psychedelic pop song called The Magic Train. You don't even need to press play: it sounds exactly the way it does in your head.

THE FLIES #4

Larry Norman (and why not?) is considered one of the pioneers of Christian Rock, but let's not hold that against him. His music has been cited as an influence on everyone from The Pixies to Guns n Roses to That Irish Band (let's not hold that against him either). For a short time in the late 60s, he also fronted a band called The Flies, releasing a single called Blow In My Ear (And I'll Follow You Anywhere). Sadly, that particular fly has yet to be caught in the interweb, but I did find this...

The Flies - Stink

THE FLYS #5

Pupating from Coventry in 1976, these punky power-pop Flys were signed to EMI and looked on the verge of a big break-through for the next few years... but never quite took off. 

THE FLIES #6

Instrumental Flies from either 1972 or 1979, depending on which source you believe. No idea where they came from or why they couldn't afford a singer.

 

THE FLIES #7

Early 80s post-punk from Boston, Massachusetts. It's nearly 40 years since this was recorded. How time flies.

THE FLYS #8

1985, Santa Cruz, California. These guys were originally known as The Medflys, but did release one single as The Flys... on Buzz Records, naturally. Can't find the A side anywhere, but the B-side leans heavily into ska.

THE FLYS #9

On Mean Midget Records - you wouldn't get away with that today - American punks The Flys released one album in 1986 before their career ambitions were swatted.

THE FLIES #10

Flying in the face of fashion - obscure Italian Garage Punk/Psych band from 1990.

THE FLYS #11

Grungey 90s alt-rockers from Hollywood, two sons of "The First Family of Surfing" (their dad was Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, a physician who quit medicine to found his own surfing school) achieved moderate success in the US, particularly when their tunes were fly-papered into movie soundtracks. 

THE FLIES #12

Bristolian Flies, formed in 2003, but still trying to get in your window 11 years later when they released the tune below. Their lead singer clearly wants to be Ian McCulloch.

THE FLIES #13

Contemporary teenage rock band from Roscommon, Ireland. So young they're still riding their bikes in the video. Still, it's good to see the young uns still making tunes like this...

Which flies would you welcome into your home... and which ones call for the fly spray?