New wave and synth-pop icons A Flock of Seagulls dominated the early 80s pop charts with progressive electronica including stand outs ‘I ran (so far away)’, ‘Space age love song’ and ‘Wishing (If I had a photograph of you)’.  Reforming in 2018 with an acclaimed orchestral album ‘Ascension’, and various live shows, the Seagulls returned in full flight.  Damian Robinson caught up with original Seagull Michael ‘Mike’ Score to chat about returning to the live stage and the next chapter of the band’s history.

Last year’s Ascension album was really well received, and produced an interesting spin on your previous work.  A year on from the album how do you see the album when you look back on it?

It was an interesting album to make and a one which gave a different slant to the original songs.   I would have done some things differently if I did the album again, but it is what it is. 

At the time of the release of Ascension you said that you would never rule out recording new material.  A year on and there’s talk of new album ‘Inflight’.  How is the writing and recording of the album progressing?

“Inflight” started as a short tour of the UK and at present I think the album will be remixes of the orchestral versions of the songs.  If indeed that album gets put together.  We’re still not sure about new material and what that might look like. 

How would you describe the sound of the album from what’s recorded already?

I am constantly writing songs for either my solo or the Seagulls material but as both synths, and the recording process, have changed a lot in 30 years all these things will influence the sound of any new recordings.  Our original sound was a product of its time, the technology available, and the people involved.  Times have changed, and so has our sound which is also a product of it’s time.

You’ll be bringing your live show across to Newcastle later this month.  What can we expect from A Flock of Seagulls live show?

The set will be made up from mainly well-known Seagulls songs and we’re really looking forward to playing the UK and having some fun with the shows.  We’re across playing in the USA for a lot of the summer so between the UK and USA tour we’re hoping that we have fun on tour and also that the crowd have fun with us.

A Flock of Seagulls play the Newcastle Riverside on July 18.  Tickets are available from Ents 24.