Hard rock band The Lonely Ones have released their reimagined version of Queen’s classic song “Flash”. Even though it was originally recorded in 2019, the band decided that this was the opportune time to release their heroic cover inspired by one of the most relevant rock bands from past and present times.
“We recorded Flash in 2019 – a pretty dark year for the four of us on all fronts. Our original musical output reflected that darkness so recording a cartoonishly triumphant, heroic cover song seemed like a good counter-balance. Fast forward to spring 2020 and the impending COVID-19 Stay at Home order. With limited time and help from some fans we got our friends together to film a music video while we were still able. It’s July now and, with the future more unclear than ever, it seems like the perfect time to release the most positive song we have.
I hope you enjoy it. Flash/The Hero. A Queen Cover” says the band.
Formed in the summer of 2019, The Lonely Ones are a four piece vocal-oriented hard rock band with an ear for melody and a taste for success. No strangers to the hardships of the music industry, The Lonely Ones know what they want and know how to get it. The first singles “Eternal Sadness” and “The Lonely One” debuted in March of 2020.
Music Madness caught up Marty McCoy to discuss the new band and how the pandemic has affected the bands momentum.
Music Madness: Marty congrats on the formation of the new band, The Lonely Ones. As you guys were putting everything together last year, I’m sure the thought of 2020 being a complete washout was never really a part of the equation. How have you guys had to adapt?
Marty McCoy: Yeah. We had everything planned out, and the record was done. We had two videos done before we even decided to do anything. We had tours set up and we even bought a brand new vehicle. We flew to Texas, bought a brand new vehicle, as we were driving back they shut the country down. Everything came to complete halt. We were like let’s regroup, here’s our first hurdle in the new band.
If we can get past this, we can get past anything. The world said that, so I didn’t even ask. “What’s our next move?” We just started to slowly roll music out and build our online presence, a lot of those sharing platforms trying to really figure out how to get the most out of Spotify, Apple Music, and stuff like that.
Music Madness: Do you think this whole pandemic thing is going to change the landscape of music as it stands right now?
Marty McCoy: Yeah, maybe. I think it’s going to get a lot more sophisticated and a lot more crazier. We are seeing people getting used to working from home now, and a lot of companies are going to change. It’s like, “Oh, shit. We don’t have overhead. Don’t have to have the office lights on. They’re more productive. Yeah, work from home.” I’m assuming it’s going to have some counter effect on the music industry. I’m not sure yet what that will be, but this industry changes so fast. Tomorrow the biggest artist in the world could be someone that only has a snare drum and doesn’t sing, he just hits the snare drum.
Music Madness: I hope not.
Marty McCoy: There’s no bass player, there’s no drummer, there’s no singer. Just someone that has a snare drum and a light show and people are flipping the fuck out. You never really know what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Music Madness: Yeah. That would be crazy as I have always been passionate about the live experience. I can hear something and like the way it sounds. I don’t know that I’ve ever passed judgment on band, or a song, or an album, until I actually experience it live. I think that’s the experience that talks to me more than anything.
Marty McCoy: That’s happened to me… I never passed any judgment on any music. I’ll listen to it, if it’s a good song, it’s a good song, and that’s it. It doesn’t matter what genre. But I’ve gone on tour with bands where I was like, “This band is really cool.” And by the end of the tour, you’ve seen them 25 times at their best, and getting better throughout the tour, and crowds are starting to fall in love with them. And you would leave that tour saying, “That’s the greatest God damn band I’ve ever seen in my life.” There’s so many bands I’ve toured with and it’s like my music playlist is full of bands where I was like, “This is the greatest song ever.” It brings back all these memories, and that live experience, and that touring experience. So, I know exactly what you mean.
Music Madness: Some of your new music felt personal in nature and I noticed the suicide prevention promo at the end of the video. Was it personal or is it what you’re seeing around you in this crazy world?
Marty McCoy: Absolutely. Absolutely. It’s a combination of both actually. When we write songs, it’s all our true stories. It’s either happened to us, or somebody very close to us. Or something that’s real. We used to write songs when we were younger about space invaders and shit. That might be true by now.
When I write songs about really personal stuff, it’s almost like it goes away for a little while, because you get it out of your system, it’s therapeutic.
Music Madness: How has the transition from Bobaflex to The Lonely Ones been without your brother by your side?
Marty McCoy: We did the last Bobaflex tour as a four piece band because we all agreed to do it. Shaun’s daughter turned 13 last year, and he was like, “I just want to be home. I want to be able to get up on a Monday and pick her up because I can. Not to have to wait three weeks because I’m on tour to be able to do whatever I want with my daughter.” He didn’t want to miss anymore piano recitals and shit.” We were all like, “Yes, we totally understand that.”
We put our heart and soul into that band and now that band is over, and I have no regrets. It was amazing. Now that that chapter’s over, we get to do something new, and that’s really exciting.
Music Madness: Dude, so you put together a new identity, new band name with everyone returning minus your brother. Then you decide to show everyone how big your balls are by releasing a cover song but not just any cover…a fucking Queen cover and that shit was strong.
Marty McCoy: Thanks, man. That was the plan. I was like, “Okay, everyone’s doing covers, so we’re going to do one. Let’s not do Toxic by Britney Spears, let’s do something that challenges us.”
It was our bass player Jimmy’s idea and he was like, “Look, we got to challenge ourselves.” I said, “What do you suggest, sir?” He’s like, “Flash by Queen.” I was like, “Are you out of your fucking mind?” He’s like, “Why? We can do it.” I was saying there’s no way we could do it. He talked me into it for about an hour on the phone and I finally agreed.
Music Madness: Well, that’s the thing, you’re not trying to make it exactly the same its got to be your own version. So is Bobaflex officially done for good? Will you incorporate some of that music into the new band?
Marty McCoy: We will do five, six shows a year as Bobaflex but The Lonely Ones is a totally new thing.
Music Madness: When’s the next release?
Marty McCoy: September 25th. It’s a love song, sir.
Music Madness: Nice! I know you guys are itching to get out there and perform.
Marty McCoy: Oh my God I can’t wait.
Music Madness: Thanks again man! Looking forward to seeing you on the road soon!!
The Lonely Ones – “Eternal Sadness” can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVQPIIH3kJ8
The Lonely Ones – “The Lonely One” can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIsrlNEZ3_Y
The Lonely Ones are:
Marty McCoy – guitar / vocals
Tommy Johnson – drums
Jymmy Tolland – bass / vocals
Jake Earley – guitar / vocals