(On Our Trip to Kenora to Watch A Flock of Seagulls)
On July 29, 2011, Inna, I, and Evawwen went on a road trip to Kenora, Ontario—about two and a half hours away from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where we live—to watch A Flock of Seagulls at Harbourfest. Two unfortunate events occurred during our adventure—we got pulled over by a highway patrol because of overspeeding! Next, we didn’t anticipate that children were not allowed at the show because liquor was being served. Because of this, Inna and Evawwen had to stay outside the tent where the show was being held and only I got to watch A Flock of Seagulls. I was obviously the only New Wave enthusiast in the crowd—what with my waterfall hairstyle, red paisley longsleeves, skinny jeans, metallic-crimson Doc Martens boot, and my vinyl copy of A Flock of Seagulls’ album Dream Come True for autograph signing after the show. I was really dancing the day away and singing along most of the songs which I knew by heart, such as “Rainfall,” “The More You Live, The More You Love,” “Telecommunication,” “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You),” “Space Age Love Song,” and “I Ran (So Far Away).” Despite his age—and he no longer sport that famous waterfall hairstyle—Mike Score, the remaining original member of A Flock of Seagulls still played the keyboards well and had his typical New Wave–style low voice. Complementing Score’s performance were his current bandmates—Joe Rodriguez (guitars), Pando (bass), and Michael Brahm (drums)—all of whom rendered their respective parts diligently.
After the performance, one of the ushers told me that the band would meet me after a while. Learning that my wife and our son were unable to watch the show inside the venue, Score happily met us outside the tent and chatted with us. He was kind enough to autograph my vinyl copy of A Flock of Seagulls’ album Dream Come True and to have photographs of us with him taken.
The Seagulls’ Birth
A Flock of Seagulls was formed in 1979 in Liverpool, England, by Michael Score (vocals/keyboards), Alister Score (drums), Frank Maudsley (bass), and Paul Reynolds (guitar). The band has released five full-length albums: A Flock of Seagulls (1982), Listen (1983), The Story of a Young Heart (1984), Dream Come True (1985), and The Light at the End of the World (1995). According to Score himself, he is yet to release a new album of A Flock of Seagulls, but that a solo album is slated for release in September 2011. The band performed at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, in April 2008, with fellow New Wave pioneers Gene Loves Jezebel and Real Life.
Final Note
Definitely, to a passionate music enthusiast, meeting an icon—whether famous or obscure—is in itself a big and priceless accomplishment. Besides, this mutual admiration works both ways—the fan gets to meet his icons, cementing his love for the latter’s music; the artist gets to meet his fans, inspiring him to write more music.
