The Wild Flowers formed in Wolverhampton in the early 80’s. The original line up included Dave Newton on guitar who left early in the story to go form the Mighty Lemon Drops. Those two bands along with Balaam & The Angel and Pop Will Eat Itself formed the vanguard of bands that came out of the West Midlands in the 2nd half of the 80’s that would swiftly be followed through the opened door by The Wonder Stuff and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.

Their sound was definitely of the Indie variety but coloured by the Americana of the likes of the Long Ryders and Green On Red. “Dust” was their second album and is of particular interest for me because of the inclusion of the towering single “A Kind Of Kingdom” which is as good an Indie Rock single as you will ever hear. But that’s not all they had, oh no. The jangly “Ain’t So Easy” was another great single. “Core Of My Heart” and “Where My Heart Lies” are a belting pair of songs over on Side 2.

The copy I have is a sleeveless white label test pressing acquired in a collection of stuff I bought from one of Brum’s leading promoters of the period. If you like your Indie of the jangly variety, touched by a hint of America and gruff of voice then the Wild Flowers might just be right up your street.

A Kind Of Kingdom - https://youtu.be/XwJAGHJuh3I?si=5qLyCuRqdp7zqkZP