Flannel (band)


Flannel were a 1990s band based in Brighton, England. Their style has been described as "anarcho-narco", meaning that they were influenced by anarchist politics and narcotic-using lifestyles. This should not be taken too literally; far from being simple advocates of drug culture, their music often contained serious socio-political references and messages.
The band played some conventional venues such as pubs, but were most often to be seen at squat parties, direct action protest sites such as the Newbury bypass and Reclaim the Streets, and summer festivals. They also committed "guerilla gigs" in shopping centres, parks and other "highly inappropriate" places. In the later 1990s, they shared stages with political comedians Mark Thomas and Rob Newman.
The tune Ketamin Party received a surprise airing on the BBC's 1998 Children in Need charity show.
During 2005 the band had technically chosen to split up but continued performing because, they announced, they were very happy with the arrangement.
In November 2005 the bass player, Bloke, died in an accident in the south of France.
Lead singer and guitarist Cosmo continues to make and perform music in the Flannel vein from his base in Cardiff.

Members

Both Cosmo and Bloke's partner, Sally, were involved in a previous Brighton band, Moist.