Biography
In the middle of the 1970s, the Kursaal Flyers bridged pub rock with power pop, achieving their sole chart success through the Spector-inspired exuberance of their 1976 single "Little Does She Know." Their LPs Chocs Away and Golden Mile later gained cult status, partly because several band members enjoyed notable achievements in subsequent projects. Frontman Paul Shuttleworth launched a solo career, while Will Birch joined the Records and also wrote about music, which kept enough interest alive for a 1988 comeback via A Former Tour de Force Is Forced to Tour.
The lineup featured Paul Shuttleworth handling vocals, Graeme Douglas on guitar, Vic Collins contributing guitar, steel guitar, and vocals, Riche Bull on bass and vocals, plus Will Birch at the drums. Their debut effort Chocs Away arrived in 1975, with The Great Artiste appearing shortly after; these early releases reflected influences from country, roots rock, and straightforward pop. Shifting toward a stronger pop focus, they issued Golden Mile on CBS Records in 1976, which propelled "Little Does She Know" into the UK Top 20. Prior to tracking their concluding record, Five Live Kursaals in 1977, Graeme Douglas departed for Eddie & the Hot Rods and Barry Martin stepped in. Following the release of that punk-tinged, power pop-oriented set, the group disbanded. Will Birch and John Wicks continued working together by immediately establishing the Records. The 1988 get-together produced A Former Tour de Force Is Forced to Tour, which resumed their sound from 1977. Although no additional reunions occurred, their dedicated following eventually prompted Cherry Red to issue the full catalog in 2020 under the title Little Does She Know.
The lineup featured Paul Shuttleworth handling vocals, Graeme Douglas on guitar, Vic Collins contributing guitar, steel guitar, and vocals, Riche Bull on bass and vocals, plus Will Birch at the drums. Their debut effort Chocs Away arrived in 1975, with The Great Artiste appearing shortly after; these early releases reflected influences from country, roots rock, and straightforward pop. Shifting toward a stronger pop focus, they issued Golden Mile on CBS Records in 1976, which propelled "Little Does She Know" into the UK Top 20. Prior to tracking their concluding record, Five Live Kursaals in 1977, Graeme Douglas departed for Eddie & the Hot Rods and Barry Martin stepped in. Following the release of that punk-tinged, power pop-oriented set, the group disbanded. Will Birch and John Wicks continued working together by immediately establishing the Records. The 1988 get-together produced A Former Tour de Force Is Forced to Tour, which resumed their sound from 1977. Although no additional reunions occurred, their dedicated following eventually prompted Cherry Red to issue the full catalog in 2020 under the title Little Does She Know.
Albums
