A Flock of Seagulls
A Flock of Seagulls was a British New Wave band that found success in Europe and the U.S. in the early 1980s.
Mike Score, with his friend Frank Maudsley and brother Ali Score formed the band in Liverpool, England in 1980 with Paul Reynolds (see 1980 in music). Their debut recording, "Telecommunication", was an underground hit and the band soon released A Flock of Seagulls in 1982 (1982 in music). "I Ran (So Far Away)" quickly became a hit single, bolstered by a stylish music video on MTV.
In the UK, "Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)" was just as popular as "I Ran (So Far Away)" in the US, though "I Ran (So Far Away)" sold poorly in comparison. Listen in 1983, was almost as successful. 1984's (1984 in music) The Story of a Young Heart produced two more singles, but Paul Reynolds, the lead guitarist left soon after due to some personal problems. The next album Dream Come True, recorded as a trio and released in (1986) failed to chart. The remaining band broke up but Mike Score kept the name and in 1989, Mike and three new members recorded The Light at the End of the World, but this had little success. The band continue to tour and record.
In November of 2003, the original line-up (Mike Score, Paul Reynolds, Frank Maudsley and Ali Score) announced they would reunite for a one-time performance on the VH1 series, Bands Reunited, after having played a live session in London.
Then in September 2004 the original band reformed and played a few live shows in the United States, but broke up immediately after. A part of the reunion included a performances at Nike Run Hit Wonder, a 5K and 10K road race series featuring popular one-hit-wonder bands playing along the race course (including Devo, General Public, Tone Loc, and Tommy Tutone).
Mike Score has continued the band with his new line-up and the rest have gone back to their normal lives. The new A Flock of Seagulls line up has Joe Rodriguez as the lead guitarist, Robbie Hanson as the bassist, and Albert Cruz as the drummer.
"I Ran (So Far Away)" also was the title track for the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
In June, 2005, the current line-up appeared on the debut episode of the American edition of NBC's Hit Me Baby One More Time. Besides performing "I Ran (So Far Away)", they also performed a cover of Ryan Cabrera's "On the Way Down".
Discography
- A Flock of Seagulls (1982)
- Listen (1983)
- The Story of a Young Heart (1984)
- Dream Come True (1986)
- The Light at the End of the World (1989)