A Flock Of Seagulls Interview

A few months ago, I did an interview with friends of mine on the legendary band A Flock Of Seagulls.

It was published on the Texas Star Tribune.

The site link is at : www.texasstartribune.com


They were getting ready to do a few concerts in Texas.

I found the answers to my questions interesting.

This is not a sports related topic, though one could find similarities with professional sports and the music industry.



A Flock Of Seagulls are a legendary band that has long had a worldwide following. The band has long enjoyed playing in Texas, and the fan base in the state is as strong today as ever.



Mike Score created the band in late 1979, and they were known throughout the planet in a short time. The band also helped get MTV off the ground by being one of the first bands to shoot a video of one of their songs.



Since then, A Flock Of Seagulls has spanned the globe innumerous times. They have written many hit songs, created gold records, and won a grammy. Many know they are the first Liverpool band to have a gold record since the Beatles. Mike Score relocated the band to the United States in the mid-80's, and has kept the band moving forward since.


The band has a strong lineup and are still creating today. Mike Score and world renowned lead guitarist Joe Rodriguez have been playing together for over a decade now, and the bassist Pando and drummer Michael Brahm, two well known and respected musicians, have now played with the band for over four years. Many fans of the band feel this is the best lineup the band has ever had.



The band is well known to give incredible concerts. One trademark of the band is they play everything live. Many bands, unfortunately, use pre-recorded music at shows. The music, energy, and passion that emanates from A Flock Of Seagulls in a show is electric, and makes their concerts better than the rest.





You can keep track of the band by going to their website :

www.myspace.com/aflockofseagulls


You can also visit their fan website :

www.afosfanclub.com





They are currently touring all over Europe for several months.







What is your favorite memory of all of the times you have played in Texas?

Mike Score : Well lets see, there are many memorable shows in Texas. The first one with Joe King Carasco in 1982 at some dome. All I really remember was it was so huge. I wondered how they would get enough people in, but it was quite full, and we had a great night. There is a club we used to play at in Dallas, I cant remember its name, but we always had good shows and a great party after.



Joe Rodriguez : I don't have one "favorite" memory, per se, but one that stands out is when we played an outdoor gig in Austin in the middle of the summer a few years ago. It was so incredibly hot and my feet felt like they were on fire with the way the sun was baking my black boots on stage. I guess I was looking a little woozy from the heat and some kind soul in the front row misted my face with cool water. Very thoughtful of them!



What is your favorite AFOS song to play?

Mike : Well they all have their moments. Usually for me its newer songs. The old ones are really for the fans. Its always nice to see people go off to "I Ran" and "Space Age" and "Wishing", because thats what they know.

Joe : I never get tired of "Space Age Love Song"...the chords and melody are still magical to this day. Also, "Man Made" is very atmospheric and I get to do an intense solo at the end that seems to get the crowd going every time.





Is it a staple of the bands playlist?

Joe : They have been, yes.

Mike : Well yes, but I can change. Nothing is set in stone except "I Ran" and "Space Age".





How does the band determine which songs you will play at each event?

Mike : We decide what to play depending on the time we have, and someone may say, "Hey we haven't played that for a while!" So we throw it in and see how it goes. Also, when we rehearse, we try different songs and see if we can slot them in.





Joe? How many different guitars do you end up playing at each set? What are they?

Joe : Normally just one versatile guitar that covers everything. I don't tell anyone what brand it is, so as not to promote the company, but I play a particular one live more for sentimental reasons and because I'm comfortable with it.





Mike? Do you prefer traveling the U.S.A. by plane or automobile? Is there a reason?

Mike : I, myself, prefer to drive. It means you can stop when you want and catch a bit of peace. Airports are a mess no matter how organised you are. Your always sitting around for hours, although in some cased flying is the only way to get there on time.





Mike? It was once written that you love refurbishing sailboats. Is this still a hobby?

Mike : I like messing about with boats, but not lately. I have too much other stuff going on.





Was it part of your inspiration for creating the beautiful song "SEVEN SEAS" on the band's CD "LIGHT AT THE END OF THE WORLD"?

Mike : I think i did that alone one night. I was just messing with a synth. I think there was a movie on which had something to do with the seven seas, so I called it that. It fitted. I don't remember much more about it, I just liked the way it turned out.





Many bands today use pre-recorded music at concerts. Why does AFOS prefer not to?

Mike : Well if you are using pre-recorded or tapes, it's not live is it? I think using samples is pretty much the same but you can at least trigger them live. If you are playing to a tape, who is running the band? You or the tape? In certain cases, it needs to have a bit more energy or be slowed down a little. It depends on the atmosphere of the night. Only live can you judge that and adjust. New bands have grown up to use tapes, etc. It's their way. Its almost like they are afraid to just play it and make mistakes. I say trust the other guys in the band and just play. That what a band is all about. If not, you might as well mime or just put your mp3 through the PA (system) !!

Joe : I think it can take away the live dynamics and danger factor of seeing a live band perform. That's the excitement of it for us and the audience. Besides, when you've got a thick wall of sound like Mike's keyboards and my guitar, how much more would you need?





Mike? You once said, many years ago, that the internet was the future of music. Would this tie in with your famous song "MAN MADE", where you wrote "Now machines control, while the man obeys"?

Mike : "Man Made" was about how I saw the future. Everything will be controlled by machines, and eventually we will lose control of the machines. NORAD, Star Wars Project etc. They are faster than us and they don't make mistakes. They do what you tell them, or so thats how it's supposed to be. It will be fine if the human race can keep control, but I don't think we will. Once we build a self aware machine, it's the end for us. It will decide we are disposable. Just like "I Robot" : the best way to save us is to get rid of us...in little boxes so we can't do anything to each other.



Would you agree with David Byrne (Talking Heads) that the music industry is a "dinosaur that had its time, but now it is going extinct", thus making it necessary to put out music through the internet even more?

Mike :The music industry is the T-Rex of this century. It ate up all the musicians and artists. Really, I think once lawyers and accountants took over : the industry was doomed. The main word here is greed. Like all ceo's and bosses and such. They think they did it all and the artists can go f--k themselves. I think their quote is, "Your nothing without me!!" From managers record companies agents - etc etc etc.
So, in a way, the internet is a breath of fresh air. Of course there are exceptions to this, but how many great bands have their CD on the shelf because one individual at a record company was on a power trip? Now anyone can release anything they want, which is good, but also leads to a huge pile of crap going out as well. At least it's there if you want to listen. This is a huge subject and everyone has their own take on it, so enough. Even mine changes from day to day.




Who are your major musical influences?

Mike : Everything influences me, but it depends on my mood. Band wise : the Beatles - brilliant stuff! Also, Ultravox, Pink Floyd, Elton John, and any song I think is good from country to heavy metal. Even though I don't really like hip hop or rap. there are still some good songs in that genre. I really think it's because I don't understand where its coming from or what influenced it. Reggae as well. All reggae and rap songs are the same to me, but it's not my field, so it influences me to not be like that.

Joe : Big influences when I was coming up were Ace Frehley of KISS, Neil Geraldo from Pat Benatar's band and Elliot Easton of The Cars. These guys really knew how to make great melodic and memorable use of an 8 bar solo spot in the middle of a rock radio single.







Mike? How do you go about creating your fantastic instrumental songs?

Mike : Well I just start playing and building up stuff. Catching a theme or atmosphere, then go from there. I think about what movie it will be in. It's really music for unwritten movies.







Joe? You are widely known as a great guitarist. What do you think of Stevie Ray Vaughn?

Joe : When I was big into shredders like Yngwie and Tony MacAlpine, I thought "the blues" was kinda cool and classic, but limited and stuck in a rut. I remember being half asleep on the couch one Saturday night ages ago. Suddenly, I was woken up by a TV show camera about a foot away from a battered Fender guitar and seeing this guy banging and bending guitar strings as thick as piano strings like they were nothing. What energy and what a tone! It was very inspiring and he changed my outlook on blues forever. There have been many pretenders to his throne, but there'll never be another like the original SRV.







Mike? Many fans know you were a guitarist on the band TONTRIX before creating A Flock Of Seagulls. Do you compose your songs playing guitar?

Mike : In TONTRIX I was a bass player and I wasn't really in to songwriting at the time. Now I write songs on whatever I have . Guitar, synth, sticks. An echo effect can be inspiring. For me, writing is the best part of the whole thing. I'd say I write 2 or 3 songs a day really, some days more, and I do little demo's of them then move on.







Is the band recording any of your many new songs? If so, is there any time line you will release a new album?

Mike : We started to record some songs, but life is full of deflections. So everyone has other things going on, which slows down the whole process. I didn't really have the feeling that it was time to release some new stuff, but now it is getting to feel that way, so we will have to finish up. I am also working on a solo project. I will finish one song at a time and see where we are.







Texas has always held a strong fan base for the band. Would You like to send a special message to them?

Joe Rodriguez : Despite its size and no matter the vibe of the different areas of the state, Texas has always had the warmest and most enthusiastic welcome for us. The people are down to earth friendly and they're always connecting right there with you. I always look forward to a gig there because I know the audience will make it a great show. Can't wait to see them again!


Mike Score : Yes. Texas seems to love A Flock Of Seagulls, and I'd like to thank people for sticking with us. We like coming to Texas. We seem to play well there and get good response. I hope it continues that way for a long time yet.




Mike Score





Joe Rodriguez jamming with Mike Score

True Texas Legends

Texas is a land that has been witness to the births of many great people on its soil. Countless individuals emanating from the Lone Star State have been exceptional athletes, especially in the sport of football. Some of these men are amongst the best ever to have played the sport.


Homer Carroll Jones was born on February 18, 1941 in Pittsburg. He grew up in an area burgeoning with many excellent football players, including Homer's cousins Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Charley Taylor, of the Washington Redskins, and famous Cleveland Browns Defensive End Joe "Turkey" Jones. The cousins spent many days in their childhoods running around and playing various sports together. His mother was close friends with the family of Hall of Fame Running Back Earl Campbell, the Tyler Rose.


Homer not only excelled in football during his high school years, he was also blazing fast and was a top notch track star. He could run the hundred yard dash in 9.3 seconds, and the 200 yard dash in 19.9 seconds. He garnered the notice of several colleges, including Grambling State University and legendary head coach Eddie Robinson. Jones admired Robinson, because "Eddie opened the doors for us to play." After visiting Grambling, Homer then went to visit Texas Southern University with hesitation. He wanted to run track at Grambling with Dallas native Stone Johnson, but he fell in love with the city lights of Houston over the rural setting of Grambling. Johnson would go on to run for the United States in the 1960 Olympics, then later die in 1963 a few days after breaking his neck in a preseason game with the Kansas City Chiefs and has had his jersey number retired since.


During his collegiate career at Texas Southern, Homer ran for the 1962 United States track team alongside Hall of Fame Wide Receivers Bob "Bullet" Hayes and Paul Warfield. Jones and Hayes had many spirited races, which saw Jones winning more than he lost. Texas Southern had many great players on the team during Jones' era, several who went on to play professional football. Men like Charlie Frazier, W.K. Hicks, Willis Perkins, Art Strahan ( the uncle of Hall of Fame Defensive End, and Texas Southern Alumni, Michael Strahan), Warren Wells, Andy Rice, B.W. Cheeks, Gene Jeter, and Homer's close friend Winston Hill. In all, Texas Southern University has sent sixty men to the professional ranks of football thus far.


After his senior year, Homer was draft position in 1964 in the 20Th round draft choice of the New York Giants, the 278Th player chosen overall. He was also a 5Th round draft choice of the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, the 33rd player picked in the draft. Jones decided to join the Oilers, which featured Hall of Fame Quarterbacks George Blanda, and head coach "Slinging" Sammy Baugh. His college teammate, Charlie Frazier, was also there. Joining the Oilers in camp was undrafted rookie Willie Brown, a Hall of Fame Cornerback. Jones hurt his knee in training camp and failed his physical. He was then cut along with Brown. Homer then had the intent on proving to the Oilers they had made the wrong decision.


The Giants quickly called and gave him a plane ticket to New York City. Upon his arrival, the Giants had Jones undergo surgery on his knee. He was given the jersey number 45, which was previously worn by Hall of Fame Safety Emlen Tunnell, upon Tunnell's request. He nicknamed Homer "Seabiscuit", after the famous racehorse, because Jones was so fast. Tunnell, then a defensive backs coach for the Giants, took Homer under his wing to teach him the tricks of the trade.


He spent most of his rookie year recuperating while learning the game, but did get on the field for three games that year. He caught four passes for 82 yards, and returned six kickoffs for 111 yards. It was also the last year that Hall of Fame Giants like Y.A. Tittle, Andy Robustelli, and Frank Gifford would play in the NFL.


One thing he learned was not to get too close to the wily veterans. In a game against the Detroit Lions, Homer ran into a clothesline thrown by Hall of Fame Cornerback, and Texas Legend, Dick "Night Train" Lane. Homer said the lights went out. He could hear things, but saw nothing for a few minutes.


He also spent time watching players like Gifford throwing the ball up into the stands to fans after scoring a touchdown, and wanted to do the same thing when he reached the end zone. After the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle put in a rule that players would be fined $500 for doing so. Jones was making $10,000 a year then, so he knew that throwing the ball into the crowd was no longer an option. He then thought of an alternative that would change the course of football history.


During the 1965 season, Jones was told ten minutes before a game that he would be starting. He responded by setting a Giants record, when he took a pass 89 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game. It was the longest scoring play in the NFL that year. Upon arriving in the end zone, he spiked the ball into the ground. It was the first time in NFL history this would happen, and there has been thousands of players to pull off the same feat since. Though he feels celebrations have been taken way too far these days, Jones pioneered a part of the game many enjoy today.


He still was learning the game, being it was only his second year in the league. The Giants liked to line up Jones next to Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle Roosevelt Brown in short yardage formations. Standing 6'2" and weighing 215 pounds, Homer was one of the biggest wide receivers in the league at that time. He also took pride in his blocking. One game against the Chicago Bears, he was lined up across from Hall of Fame Defensive End Doug Atkins. Brown told Jones to block him clean, because he didn't want Homer to anger the humongous Atkins. Homer took that lesson well, and played clean his whole career, even if some of his opponents chose not to.


Homer became a bigger part of the offense that year, catching 26 passes for 709 yards and 6 scores. He averaged a whopping 27.3 yards per catch, his career best. Though he was already becoming well known in the league, he incurred disrespect from trash talking opponents. In the 1966 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jones had already scored on a 75 yard touchdown pass when he came up against Brady Keys of the Steelers.

The Giants had the ball on their own two yard line, and Keys told Jones "What am I doing here covering you? I could be home eating chicken for dinner with my family."

Giants quarterback Earl Morrall asked what Homer thought. Homer said, "He's talking, so he's ready."

Morrall took the snap, reared back, and heaved the ball about 60 yards in the air. Jones snagged it and took it in for a 98 yard score. It is the longest play in the history in the franchise history of the Giants.

Homer then turned and told Keys, who was about fifteen yards behind him, "If you keep playing like that, you'll soon be eating chicken with your family every Sunday."


Jones finished the season with 48 receptions for 1,044 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a bonafide star in New York, and was often swarmed by fans when out and about in public. It was hard for Homer and his wife to eat dinner or watch a movie without his being bombarded with autograph requests.

1967 saw Homer make his first Pro Bowl Team. He grabbed a career best 49 balls for 1,209 yards, an incredible average of 24.7 yards per catch. He also ran a ball 46 yards for a score. He led the NFL with 13 pass receiving touchdowns, and 14 total touchdowns. A local radio station polled fans on who the Giants MVP was, and Homer won. The station gave him a brand new convertible Cadillac for his achievement.

He returned to the Pro Bowl the next year after he caught 45 passes for 1,057 yards and seven scores. He would travel to both Pro Bowls alongside his friend, and Cowboys Legend, "Dandy" Don Meredith. Don didn't live too far from him in Texas. Jones thinks Meredith is one of the most underrated players in NFL history, and said the man took a huge beating for the sake of victory.

Homer spent much of the 1968 year hanging out with his former college teammate Winston Hill. Hill was the starting Left Tackle for the Super Bowl Champion New York Jets. The pair would attend Joe Namath's famous parties, where people from all over the world would attend. Though Homer was enjoying his time in New York, he also longed for returning home to Texas.

He began to tire of playing football in 1969. Though he still managed to catch 42 passes for 744 yards and a score, he wanted to leave the game. Homer figured he had spent most of his life running and was still a young man at 28 years old. He noticed the aches and pains his body was feeling week to week as well. He said that when he was a rookie, he hurt from Sunday to Wednesday after a game, but now was hurting from Sunday to Sunday. He had seen the agony older players went through, and didn't want to grow old like that. He wanted to take his time and walk.


The Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns after that season for two players, including future Pro Bowl Running Back Ron Johnson. He had no intention of playing ever again, but was coaxed into joining the Browns by his father. Homer had an Aunt who lived in Cleveland and his father wanted Homer to take care of her, along with his cousin Joe "Turkey" Jones.


Upon joining the Browns, he was told that he would be the teams third receiver and return kickoffs. In the season opener, Cleveland played in the first Monday Night Football telecast on ABC. Jones led the Browns to a win by returning a kickoff 94 yards for a score, the first of its kind on MNF. He spent the rest of the year returning 29 kicks for 739 yards, a 25.5 yards per return average. He didn't get much time on the field, but he did take one of his ten receptions 43 yards for the last touchdown of his career. He then retired after that year.

Teams tried to get Homer to play again. The Saint Louis Cardinals traded for his rights, and the Washington Redskins tried to coax him out of retirement. George Allen, the Hall of Fame coach, called Homer. He thought Homer may be interested in playing alongside his cousin Charley Taylor, but Jones was already fed up with football. In fact, he didn't watch a second of football again for over five years.


He says the toughest opponent he ever faced was Bobby Jeter of the Green Bay Packers. He also has tremendous respect for Cornell Green of the Cowboys. His favorite moment in Dallas was a post pattern he ran on Green and Mel Renfro. The two collided, knocking themselves out of the play, as Homer took the ball for a score.

"Cornell was tough. It was easier for me to get open on Renfro (a Hall of Fame player with Dallas). He was cake compared to Cornell."


Some things then are as they are now. Like living in the fish bowl of New York City. The media also tried to stir controversy in those days. A reported once asked Jones if Bob Hayes was better than him. Homer, knowing the medias tricks full and well, carefully replied "What would you rather be shot with? A 22 or a 45?" Those were the jersey numbers of Hayes and Jones respectively.

Homer Jones holds the NFL record of averaging 22.3 yards per reception throughout his career. This is based on having a minimum of 200 receptions. What makes this more interesting is that Jones' former college teammate, Warren Wells, used to hold the record at 23.13. Wells caught 158 balls, so when the rule was changed to the current standard, Homer took his place in history.


Jones also holds the Giants franchise record for having 66.4 receiving yards per game over a career. His 4,845 receiving yards are the fifth most, and his 35 receiving touchdowns is still tied for the fifth most. The 218 receptions he had still rank 18Th best in team history as well.



Homer is now back in the Pittsburg home he was born and raised in. He is interested in the game of football again, and keeps in touch with many of his peers. He is among the many veterans who feel the NFL disrespects those who made the game what it is today, and that they all have been short changed on the pension plan. The pension plan is not very good, and this is shown with Homer Jones. He had to get both hips replaced years ago, but was given only a $100 monthly increase by the NFL after being disabled from the surgery.

"The money these guys (owners, players) make today comes from us older guys. My top salary was $50,000, and today's players wouldn't even put on their socks for that amount. Let alone their jerseys."



Homer Jones is not only one of the greatest football players to ever have worn a New York Giants uniform, but he is one of the very best athletes to have been born in Texas. His career average of 22.3 yards a catch is amazing in any era, but if you consider the rules and playing conditions in those days, you would see how truly incredible he was.


Not only was the game much more violent then, but there was the ten yard chuck rule. Homer said it was like a boxing match just to get open. Players like Johnny Sample and Pat Fischer were guys Homer said were particularly rough. Then there were the playing conditions. Many times they would play football on dirt used for baseball in multi-purpose stadiums.


"Today they play football like they are in their living room.", Homer said.


So, when you sit back and enjoy the NFL today, give thought to the path it has traveled. Long before it was a multi-billion dollar business. Think of the men who played for the love of the game, not the salaries. Where earning a ring through winning meant more than buying one. Along those thoughts, you will see the men who paved the path we all enjoy today.

Men like Homer Jones. A true Texas Legend.