The Flex (band)

The Flex (formerly known as Rick Flex)[1] are an English hardcore punk band from Leeds, West Yorkshire. In an article by NoEcho, they were cited as one of the progenitors of the New Wave of British Hardcore.[2]

The Flex
The Flex performing in 2022
Background information
Also known asRick Flex (2012)
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
GenresHardcore punk, heavy hardcore
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • Quality Control
  • Painkiller
  • Milk Run
  • Video Disease
  • Bleeding Edges
  • Lockin' Out
Spinoff ofViolent Reaction
Members
  • Sam Laycock
  • Liam Fox
  • Dave Egan
  • Andy Jones
  • Tom Pimlott
Past members
  • Rick Savage

History

The band formed in 2012 under the name Rick Flex from members of other UK hardcore bands (including Arms Race and Violent Reaction),[3] playing different instruments to those that they were used to,[4] for the original guitarist Rick Savage's birthday party, however due to in-band tensions, he was eventually replaced by then-drummer Liam Fox and Tom Pimlott of No Tolerance was recruited to play drums.[5] On 10 May, they released their debut demo.[6] In February 2013, they opened for Rotting Out on their UK tour.[7] On 23 March 2013 they released their debut EP Scum On The Run through Video Disease and Milk Run Records.[8] In May 2014, they toured the U.S. with Violent Reaction.[9][10] On 19 March 2015, they released their second EP "Flexual Healing Vol.5: Do Ya Think I'm Flexi?"[11] and 23 March released their third EP Don't Bother with the Outside World.[12] Between April and May of the same year, they toured the U.S. supporting Red Death,[11] followed by a European Headline tour in June and August.[12] On 1 June 2016, the band opened for Power Trip at the Boston Music Room in London.[13] In April 2018, they played Damaged City festival in Washington D.C.,[14][15] followed by releasing their EP Flexual Healing Vol 7: Perhaps the War is Over? Perhaps it's Peace? on the 19th of the same month.[16][17] In June 2019, they opened for Have Heart at their matinee Leeds reunion show.[18]

Musical style

The band have been described as hardcore punk[7][19] and heavy hardcore.[16][20] Their music is influenced by the sound of '80s New York and Boston hardcore like Agnostic Front and SSD.[21] Max Cussons of Contactmusic described their sound as "clobbering two-stepping punk".[22] Gav Russell of CVLT Nation described them as "a band who trim away all the fat to leave a no-frills, 80’s infused hardcore battering of the finest order".[4]

Members
The Flex performing in 2020. From left to right: Dave Egan, Sam Laycock, Andy Jones, Tom Pimlott, Liam Fox
Current
  • Sam Laycock – lead vocals (2012–present)
  • Liam Fox – guitar (2013–present), drums (2012)
  • Dave Egan – guitar (2012–present)
  • Andy Jones – bass (2012–present)
  • Tom Pimlott – drums (2013–present)
Former
  • Rick Savage – guitar (2012)

Discography
Studio album
  • Wild Stabs in the Dark (2014)
  • Chewing Gum for the Ears (2022)
EPs
  • Scum on the Run (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.5: Do Ya Think I'm Flexi? (2015)
  • Don't Bother with the Outside World (2015)
  • Flexual Healing Vol:7: Perhaps the War is Over? Perhaps it's Peace? (2018)
Demos
  • Demo (2012)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.1 (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.3: T.H.E. F.L.E.X. (2014)
Live
  • Flexual Healing Vol.2: in the Doghouse (2013)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.4: Live in the Flex House (2015)
  • Flexual Healing Vol.6: Live from the Pain Cave (2016)

Accolades
Nominated work Year Award Result
Wild Stabs in the Dark 2014 CVLT Nation - Best UKHC Album #4[4]

References
  1. THE FLEX - Interview & Live Multicam HD. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  2. Alva, Freddy (26 February 2015). "The New Wave of British Hardcore". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  3. Gardner, Noel. "It's Noel's Straight Hedge! The Latest Punk & Hardcore Reviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  4. RUSSELL, GAV (16 December 2014). "CVLT NATION'S TOP 6 DIY UKHC RELEASES OF 2014". CVLT Nation. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  5. "TOM PIMLOTT (THE FLEX) INTERVIEW BY CHILLER THAN MOST FANZINE / PART I." 18 March 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  6. Kamiński, Karol. "THE FLEX – [DEMO] (2012)". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. Lohan, Aaron (March 2013). "Live Review: Rotting Out, Expire, The Flex and Survival – The Star and Garter, Manchester – 25/02/2013". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. "The Flex Scum On The Run". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  9. "UK Hardcore Band Violent Reaction Say "Leave Me Out" on New Revelation LP". Vice Media. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  10. Chainey, Ian (7 May 2014). "Violent Reaction touring w/ The Flex". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  11. Kamiński, Karol (25 March 2015). "THE FLEX streaming their new EPs!". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  12. Hereth, Simon (20 July 2017). "THE FLEX ARRIVE ON SUMMER EUROPE TOUR". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  13. BUSHELL, GLEN. "LIVE: POWER TRIP / THE FLEX / BLISTERED @ BOSTON MUSIC ROOM, LONDON". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  14. PESSARO, FRED (27 October 2017). "HARDCORE AND PUNK FESTIVAL DAMAGED CITY REVEALS 2018 LINEUP". Revolver. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  15. Gotrich, Lars. "What Does An Inclusive Hardcore Punk Festival Look Like?". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  16. Breihan, Tom (19 April 2018). "Stream The Flex Flexual Healing Vol. 7". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  17. Gautier, Alexis. "THE FLEX – FLEXUAL HEALING VOL 7". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  18. Kamiński, Karol (27 February 2019). "HAVE HEART reunite; playing exclusive reunion shows this Summer! [UPDATE]". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  19. Kamiński, Karol (14 March 2018). "British hardcore crew THE FLEX return with new EP". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  20. Camp, Zoe (24 February 2017). "You'll 'Relate' to Higher Power's Blend of Grunge, Funk and Hardcore". Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  21. Moyer, Matthew. "U.K. hardcore standouts the Flex blaze into town for Monday night moshing". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  22. Cussons, Max (2 August 2019). "Have Heart - The Stylus, Leeds 21.07.2019 Live Review". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
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