The Flex | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Rick Flex (2012) |
Origin | Leeds, West Yorkshire, England |
Genres | Hardcore punk, heavy hardcore |
Years active | 2012–present |
Labels |
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Spinoff of | Violent Reaction |
Members |
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Past members |
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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 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]
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]
Nominated work | Year | Award | Result |
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Wild Stabs in the Dark | 2014 | CVLT Nation - Best UKHC Album | #4[4] |