“Criminal Waste”, Flowers

This way: Criminal Waste

The Earcom compilations of the late 70s and early 80s were solid gold. Somehow there were available even in the backwoods of Phoenix AZ. So many great bands, some are so etched into my brain. This one stands out.

The Flowers active from 1978–1980, were a punk band from Scotland, part of the Edinburgh scene which spawned bands such as Scars, Josef K and The Fire Engines. They are known for their feminist lyrics and "astringent" music. The band, and the musical scene of which they were a part, are profiled in the 2015 film Big Gold Dream.

The Flowers formed in 1978, when local band The Dirty Reds split into two offshoot bands, The Dirty Reds Two and the group which would become The Flowers.This latter group included Dave Carson (later of Boots for Dancing) on bass, Andy Copland on guitar, and drummer Russell Burn (later of The Fire Engines and Win). Carson invited Hilary Morrison to join as vocalist. Morrison was also the co-founder of two influential independent record labels, Fast Product and Pop:Aural, with then-partner Bob Last. The Flowers' music would be released on both of these labels. Within a year, founding members Carson and Burn had left. By the time of their first recording in 1979, the band had settled into the following lineup:

Hilary Morrison (credited as “HL Ray”) – vocals, Andy Copland – guitar, Fraser Sutherland – bass, Simon Best – drums

The band played regularly throughout the UK, often opening for Human League and The Mekons, and also touring with The Beat and OMD. The Flowers played the 1980 Futurama Festival in Leeds, which was headlined by Siouxsie and the Banshees. 

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