Return of Brit ProgRockers Flash, Reissues & Video

Nice timing. Added Peter Banks post-Flash experiment Empire to the database here about a week ago ;-)

There's a new album, and I hope they tour too! Please Sherry, you're Ray's wife, make them book a gig July 26th in London!

Because July 24th and 25th there's the High Voltage Festival, and a Flash gig afterwards would be the cherry on top.

That would make my day! If this can happen I'll be more than pleased!

Yes, some called "Flash" a "Yes" sound-alike, but for those who knew Pete Banks was the original guitarist for Yes - and a true originator and contributor to the Yes sound -  it was no surprise to hear Flash and notice similarities.  Flash copied no one.  This version without Pete will sound different, I'm sure, but Ray and Colin wrote most of Flash's material....so, it'll be interesting.

Thanks for your comment.  i think Colin sounds better than ever.  His voice has grown richer with age and experience. 


Edited by sherrynoland - January 05 2010 at 14:34

ASAP!!!!!  It's nearly done, but there are still questions about label, financing and distribution, so no date set yet.  It may be released on iTunes first.  I'll keep you posted.

All the latest news and music from Flash....


http://reverbnation.com/flashbennettcarter

http://myspace.com/flashbennettcarter

Edited by sherrynoland - February 12 2011 at 16:12

Thanks for your comment, Joel.  Your profile says you're 16.  I love it!!

You might enjoy reading something that just surfaced on the web about Flash's Ray Bennett and Yes' Bill Bruford when they were about your age.  Their first band - "The Original Breed Blues Band" was banned from playing at a local hall.  The article has pictures imbedded, too, but I can't figure out how to cut and paste them.  I'll have to see if there's a way to post them here.  They're terrific!

      
Bruford’s old band banned
Posted by Sid; 23 November, 2009

Having had a rummage about in an old biscuit tin up the attic recently, Bill has emerged with an article from the Sevenoaks Chronicle. Dated September 15th, 1966, it sheds light on a  previously undocumented band that Bill used to belong to before joining Yes.

Getting into trouble with officialdom is always a godsend to the edgy, street-cred reputation of any young group.

Although it didn't grab the sensational national headlines which The Rolling Stones managed when they famously took a leak against the wall of the Romford service station in 1965, The Original Breed Blues Band, probably did their public profile no end of good when they fell foul of the local Urban District Council, when trying to book the local youth club at Knole Paddock for a gig.
 
The band used to offer up a variety covers from the likes of Herbie Hancock and Cannonball Adderley through to the earthy blues of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. However, this seemingly agreeable musical combination was deemed to be too incendiary a mix to be heard, falling foul of bureaucratic regulations.


In what must surely be his first interview with the press, Bill is quoted in the article as saying “We’re not a load of yobos trying to break up a youth club.”

The front page piece records the other members of The Breed as Doug Kennard (guitar, piano, harmonica and vocals), Mike Freeman (alto sax), Ray Bennett (bass and vocals), Pete Skinner (percussion) and Stu Murray (guitar, vocals and harmonica). Interestingly, BB is credited as playing drums and vibes.

The Sevenoaks Chronicle (the same publication where BB had spotted an advert that lead him to his first kit for 17 guineas) notes that the band “have been playing together for two years, developing a unique style, which has made them popular in and out of Sevenoaks. ‘We have been practising for weeks, specially for this dance,” said Bill. “But if we don’t find another hall, then we’re finished in Sevenoaks, anyway”.

Thats hilarious!

Also, how's it going with the Flash-on-HVF thing, is it gonna happen?