100 FLOWERS

100 FLOWERS are a post-punk band from Los Angeles, California, active primarily in the early 1980s. The group evolved from the politically charged punk outfit The Urinals, who were known for their raw, minimalist sound and radical brevity, many of their songs clocked in under a minute. As their musical interests expanded and matured, the trio rebranded as 100 Flowers in 1981, taking their name from Mao Zedong’s “Hundred Flowers Campaign,” a brief period in Chinese history encouraging open expression. The new moniker reflected their increasingly sophisticated and experimental approach to music, while maintaining a subversive, critical edge.

The band consisted of the same core lineup from the Urinals: John Talley-Jones (vocals, bass), Kjehl Johansen (guitar, vocals), and Kevin Barrett (drums). Under the 100 Flowers name, they moved beyond the stark minimalism of their previous incarnation, embracing more complex song structures, abstract lyrics, and an eclectic mix of influences ranging from Wire and Gang of Four to Captain Beefheart and Pere Ubu. Their sound retained punk’s urgency and DIY ethos but integrated funk, avant-garde noise, and jarring time signatures, all hallmarks of the emerging post-punk genre. In 1983, 100 Flowers released their self-titled LP on the independent label Happy Squid Records, which they co-founded. The album was critically well-regarded within underground circles, praised for its angular guitar work, sharp lyrical content, and inventive rhythms. Songs like “Sensible Virgins” and “Motorboat to Hell” showcased their unique fusion of intelligence, irony, and punk rebellion. The group disbanded in 1983, but their influence endured. Both 100 Flowers and the Urinals became cult favorites, especially among later generations of punk, indie rock, and lo-fi musicians. Their music was rediscovered and reissued over the years, including a retrospective compilation, 100 Years of Pulchritude, which brought renewed attention to their groundbreaking work.

https://100flowers.bandcamp.com/album/100-flowers

Presented by Upset The Rhythm.

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