#big flame

5/17/25.

Big Flame (or as they intended the group name, bIG*fLAME) were a singles band. Nick from Precious Recordings presents the band's first full length album, made up of their various visits to John Peel.

Peel himself said the band was, "one of the two or three very best bands of Planet Earth”, and also called them “the best dance band since Glenn Miller & His Orchestra".

There's only one song here and it is the wonderfully fucked up take on Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". The guitars, vocals and overall sound make me think of Josef K and Orange Juice. It also brings to mind the Peel Session from Swell Maps which was just released for Record Store Day.

There's also a June Brides cover (which apparently Phil Wilson loves) and a version of "These Boots Were Made for Walking" (Nancy Sinatra).

4 Real “Je n’ai jamais pensé que la musique était juste une blague, ou une forme vraiment malsaine de divertissement…” Le guitariste Richie fait une pause, réfléchit longuement, passe un doigt le long de sa cicatrice sur le bras – la conséquence de se tailler la légende “4 REAL” dans la peau dans l’espoir de convaincre un journaliste sceptique de la sincérité du groupe en mai. Continue reading…

4 Real “Je n’ai jamais pensé que la musique était juste une blague, ou une forme vraiment malsaine de divertissement…” Le guitariste Richie fait une pause, réfléchit longuement, passe un doigt le long de sa cicatrice sur le bras – la conséquence de se tailler la légende “4 REAL” dans la peau dans l’espoir de convaincre un journaliste sceptique de la sincérité du groupe en mai. Continue reading…

Of particular note was Big Flames 'Manifesto', being a political band. It runs as following:

Big Flame would only do short live sets and no encores

They would only record 7"s or 10" singles as an album of substandard music was unacceptable. Perfection or nothing

'We feel the sound we produce is political in music circles because it is so radical and anti-complacency when compared to the crap we are being fed from all angles'

Once they had done the gigs, Peel sessions and completed their last record, their 'artifact', they would split up.

Comparing this to the Manics own early manifesto, there's a clear Big Flame influence. Excerpts from Martin Powers 'Nailed to History'.

Along with the above, there is some assorted trivia worth considering:

Big Flame also spurned romantic cliche in their songs, favoured 10" releases where possible, and had strong Motown influences.

Given the Manics rules of 'no encores' and 'no love songs, their run of 10" releases during the THB era and Motown references/James's love of the genre, (he also being the main BF fan), the formative influence of Big Flame on the Manics is clear.