Moon & Back Music

It has been many years since FLC first graced our ears with their presence and original style of gangster rock. Screaming of something more Joe Pesci and Marlon Brando than the gangsters of today, FLC have moulded themselves into a niche. Recently M&B caught up with the wise guys to ask them a few questions of their own.

The latest offering from FLC is called ‘Classic Fantastic’, it is a thirteen track exploration into little more than the usual ramblings of a band far past their day. So far it has been largely panned by the critics and its recent release has done little to excite the masses.

Whilst this is certainly far from a classic there is a new upbeat and positive feel to this ageing bands recent repertoire. So just what does this new direction say about Fun Lovin’ Criminals?

‘Survival’ retorts front-man Huey Morgan from the corner of the room. He sits with his hand resting lightly on his forehead, clad in a black suit with an open-collared white shirt. Every inch the signature look of the band. ‘Mental survival really, coming out of that big lawsuit we had, it just seemed like if we didn’t make a record they would have won. It’s a little cliché if a band breaks up after big legal dispute.’

The long five-year break between albums was no calculated move on the bands behalf but rather the result of a long legal wrangle with a former manager. The result of such drawn out proceedings fell in favour of Morgan’s men and the good times reign again, surely a defining factor in FLC’s new found positivity?

‘Fast had been writing tunes during the whole dispute but it was kind of over the last year and half that we put the lyrics to the songs and really tried to make them a little bit more uplifting‘ continues Huey. ‘It helped us get into the funk a little bit if you know what I mean!’

Morgan has every reason to be in high spirits. The hiatus from musical projects has led him to add further strings to his bow. Currently he presents his own radio show, will soon be hosting his own TV show and is almost about to complete a debut novel. With the recent retirement announcement of Jonathon Ross from the BBC it is little wonder Morgan has been tipped to fill his shoes. A small wry smile as the front man takes another sip of his drink says it all.

To accompany the album a huge string of tour dates have been announced across Europe. From Scotland to Amsterdam FLC will be plying their trade but where is the place they consider home whilst on the road?

‘The audience in Ireland is great, before they get to the gig they are already fucking wired and ready to go’ chimes in Frank enthusiastically. ‘Sometimes, you just know that when you walk out everything is going to be great – it’s really the crowd which makes it.’

Mark ‘Frank Benbini’ Reid is a surprising addition to a band associated with the mean streets of Brooklyn. The last member to join after a string of other drummers, Reid grew up in Leicester, but has since found his home amongst the tales of debauchery on the mean New York streets. M&B Music suggests that the members of FLC now find themselves entering their twilight years and that maybe gigs are becoming a little more suited to a relaxed, elder statesman’s pace. Frank looks towards the last remaining member of the group to speak, Fast, and gives him a little smile. Fast seems ready for this question and leans forward so as to emphasise his point.

‘We’re really pushing our live show more than ever before on this tour’ he explains calmly but with intimidation in his voice. ‘We have about seven different set-lists which we can choose from and loads of great surprises planned.’

Fast pauses, leans back and takes a sip of his drink. Slowly he takes a breath and looks M&B straight in the eyes.

‘The magic is still there.’