The Flatmates have always been one of those beloved and iconic acts from the sacred C86 scene of intricate and immense influence (the extents of which could easily fill encyclopedic volumes of histories). Their original pressings have been coveted and collected, reprinted, with many singles included on numerous home-spun CD-Rs that would boast the collections of the greatest independent underdogs that paved the way for today's artful dodgers and garage-geared aesthetes. Reuniting seven years back after disbanding in 1989 — the motley crew of Rocker, Martin Whitehead, Brian Price and friends have re-banded with frontwoman Lisa Bouvier bringing a re-energized spirit that connects the current pop scene era with the anachronistic underground pantheon of 80s DIY.

Celebrating the advent of The Flatmates’ self-title release through HHBTM (Happy Birthday to Me Records) / The Subway Organization (EU); we present the premiere of the energetic and existential inquiry, “Do the Angels Care”. The Bristol band’s trademark rhythm & fuzz is on full display as Bouvier leads a song about the interest of angelic and otherwise metaphysical intersections, interjections and interventions with matters of romance and heartaches. With a philosophic angle and wit on par with McCarthy’s eternal “Should the Bible Be Banned”; The Flatmates brilliantly bridge a tale about love on the rocks with an articulated angst aimed at systems of belief/faith and the like that can be heard in the catchy chorus line of, why are angels something that you still believe? The original independent pop era champions return in all their biting glory, pulling out all the stops to bring us the record that we have waited 34 years for.

The Flatmates introduced us to their new self-titled in the following exclusive reflections on the group’s own long and winding road:

The Flatmates are no strangers to vinyl.  Debuting on the indie Subway Organization label with “I Could Be in Heaven” in August 1986, barely 6 months after their first gigs, the release reached a creditable number 11 in the NME’s UK indie chart.  It was played by John Peel who invited the band to record a session for his BBC Radio 1 show. “I Could Be In Heaven” also ended up being voted into the Festive 50 for 1986, the run-down of John Peel’s listeners favorite tracks of the year. A pretty good first 12 months for the band.

Released in the spring of 1987 - “Happy All the Time” took The Flatmates into the top 5 of the Indie charts and earned a second BBC session, this time for the Janice Long show. In autumn 1987 the third single, “You’re Gonna Cry”, repeated the success of “Happy All The Time”. Now, with three single releases all placed comfortably in the upper reaches of the Indie charts and a regular on the playlists of the cooler BBC DJs (and a good number of US college radio shows), it must be time to head into the studio to complete the debut LP? 

Whooooah...slow down there.  Success brings its’ own burdens.  Following their indie chart and radio success, The Flatmates picked up a management team they shared with The Heart Throbs, Milltown Brothers and indie heavyweights The Wedding Present. Focusing on the big prize, they were advised to keep their long-playing powder dry and let the majors compete for the chance to be the label that would bring the world The Flatmates. Fourth single “Shimmer” took the indie chart top spot, earned a second John Peel session and a further place in 1988’s Festive 50. With all the major (and many big indie) labels showing a lot of attention, the plan was unveiled.  Fifth single “Heaven Knows” would get the VIP treatment. Radio and press pluggers, expensive video, press ads, TV...and a two-week tour taking in the whole UK, culminating at a London show at the 600 capacity University of London Union (a.k.a. ULU) attended by the most prestigious A&R names to grace any guest list.

Enter stage left...the law of unintended consequences.  Second guitarist Tim, recruited to fill out the live sound, having enjoyed the pre-gig hospitality a little too much after two weeks away from home, stumbled and staggered onstage...then punches were thrown. Further gigs (without Tim) followed, but after the events of ULU singer Debbie kept experiencing anxiety attacks. A few months away from gigging turned into a few years. Past releases got reissued, unreleased tracks got released. Families happened, careers happened, life happened, but still the core members of the band hung out together, went to gigs together and met up regularly for a curry together. Then in 2014 someone said: You know, instead of just meeting for a curry, we could write some songs and make that album we never got round to making...?

At long last The Flatmates’ long anticipated self-titled is available now via HHBTM.