Nick Marsh (Vocals/Guitar) & James Mitchell (Drums) start Flesh For… Read Full Bio ↴1982
Nick Marsh (Vocals/Guitar) & James Mitchell (Drums) start Flesh For Lulu & are swiftly joined by Glen Bishop (Bass) and ex-Wasted Youth Guitarist Rocco Barker (Guitar/Vocals)
Flesh become part of the “Batcave scene” and are key amongst early glam-goth bands, touring with the likes of Specimen and Alien Sex Fiend
1983
The band record demo tracks which include an early version of “Restless” (then called “All That You Know”), “Spy In Your Mind”, “DNA” and “Dark & The Gun”
On the strength of the demos and the live reaction they are starting to generate Flesh are signed to Polydor
Their first release release for the label is “Roman Candle” on 7" & 12” – the 12” EP including the immortal words “24 Minutes Of Music Very Cheap!” on the cover
1984
The debut album is recorded and Polydor choose “Subteranneans” as the first single
The month of May is spent touring the UK in a support slot for The Sisters Of Mercy
The band release their self titled first album to a luke-warm response
“Restless” is released as a follow up single
Polydor “fail to promote” the first album well enough and sales are low – Flesh are dropped from the label
Glen Bishop leaves the band and is replaced by Kevin Mills (ex-Specimen)
The year finishes with “Subteraneans” reaching number 39 in "John Peels Festive Fifty" (a joint placing with Cocteau Twins “Pandora”)
1985
Flesh sign to Hybrid Records
“Blue Sisters Swing" released
The “nun’s kissing” cover is banned in Spain
More demos are recorded including the songs “Crime Of Passsion”, “Good For You”, and an early version of “I Go Crazy”
Flesh meet with Craig Leon to produce new material
“Baby Hurricane” released
“Big Fun City” released
1986
A live show is released on video under the title “Live Flesh” filmed at the Camden Palace in London on 19th May 1985
A live album “Fresh Flesh”, featuring all the non-Polydor tracks from the gig is planned but never released
Flesh are signed to Beggars Banquet Records
“I Go Crazy” is used in the John Hughes’ film "Some Kind Of Wonderful" and is released on MCA Records
US college radio play makes it a minor hit
1986/7
Flesh Spend more time in USA
Derek “Del Boy” Greening (ex-Peter & The Test Tube Babies, also known as Del “Strange Fish”) joins to play guitar
1987
Beggar’s Banquet release “Siamese Twist”
“Postcards from Paradise” released by Beggar’s Banquet as the second single from “Long Live The New Flesh”
“Long Live The New Flesh” released to some acclaim in the US, but limited interest in the UK
The US version of the album includes the track “I Go Crazy”, the UK version does not
Much touring in US ensues – including supporting Bush
1988
Beggar’s Banquet release “I Go Crazy”
1989
“Plastic Fantastic” released
Singles from “Plastic Fantastic” include “Time & Space”, and “Decline & Fall”
Final part of the year is spent touring the USA in a support slot for Public Image Limited
1991/2
Flesh For Lulu can be considered defunct at some point between the end of 91 and early 1992
1996
Nick & Rocco re-group and become Gigantic and release the album “Disenchanted” on Columbia Records after failing to strike a deal with Hollywood Records
They are joined by Dave Blair on bass and Al Fletcher on drums
The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Tim Palmer, who had previously worked with the Mission, Tin Machine and The Mighty Lemon Drops
1996/7
Gigantic tour the US with Bush and The Goo Goo Dolls
1998
Gigantic are dropped by Columbia Records and the band splits up
2001
Flesh For Lulu re-claim their original name and do a short tour in California during May & June with Gene Loves Jezebel
2002/3
Nick spends time on various projects including "Naked Goat" and lounge-core influenced solo material
2002/3
Rocco forms The Space Police a band which features raga toaster General Levy and Doctor Cat
Some gigs and an album titled “Money Maker” result
2003
Nick records & seeks a deal for a solo album (recorded by Mediaeval Babe Katherine Blake)
Gets management in the US, but no album release
2004
A compilation CD of “Big Fun City” & “Blue Sisters Swing” is released by Cherry Red Records
Good liner notes written by Nick and Rocco, but no bonus tracks
“Long Live The New Flesh”, is re-released on Supafecta Records
It is a digitally re-mastered version of the US release and contains four bonus tracks
In December rumours start to circulate about a new album, a front page for a website goes up promising a release through Gig Records
Flesh perform two gigs at Bring Your Own Poison @ The Rhythm Factory (London) some 16 years since their last UK appearance
2005
Rocco and his partner Dawn are to feature in a Channel 4 programme called "A Place In Spain" following them as they buy property in Spain
As part of the filming for the show a gig is played at the Borderline in London on the 28th April
2006
Nicks solo album "A Universe Between Us" is released
2013
More recently since 2013, having reformed with a new lineup.
Slowdown
Flesh For Lulu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So alive
All the world comes crashing
Down on you
Taking that freeway
Oh, river of no return
Take that slow-bound highway
Yeah, you got to slowdown
With my tears held back
Yeah, you were the crazy one
With my tears held back
Yeah, you got to slowdown
Can't hold my tears back
Yeah, you were the crazy one
With my tears held back
Fly so high, we touch the sky
Fly so high, we kiss the sky
Fly too high, and I feel part of me die
Fly too high, never wonder why
Yeah, you got to slowdown
With my tears held back, yeah
You were the crazy one
With my tears held back
Yeah, you got to slowdown
Can't hold my tears back
Yeah, you were the crazy one
With my tears held back
And I, oh I, yeah
I believe in spirits in the sky
I believe in harmony
I believe in stars up above
I believe in one true love
The next day in a dream
Saw you cross the street
You said hello, how are you?
And how does it feel to be so complete?
Said there's one law for the lion
He just don't care at all
One law for the lion
He just don't scare at all, and I said
Yeah, you got to slowdown
With my tears held back
Yeah, you were the crazy one
With my tears held back
Yeah, you got to slowdown
Can't hold my tears back
Yeah, you got to slowdown
With my tears held back
Got to slowdown
The song "Slowdown" by Flesh for Lulu expresses the confusion, pain, and self-reflection that come with growing up and facing the harsh realities of life. The opening lines evoke the feeling of being young and full of vitality, only to have that sense of aliveness undermined by the realization that life is not always easy. The lyric "All the world comes crashing down on you" captures this sentiment perfectly.
The song then describes the journey of trying to navigate life when things feel out of control. The metaphor of a river of no return is used to depict the feeling that once you start down a certain path, there is no going back. The chorus "Yeah, you got to slowdown" serves as a reminder that sometimes it is wise to take a step back and assess the situation before charging ahead. The tears held back in the lyric highlight the emotional turmoil that can accompany this process of slowing down and reflecting.
The song then takes a somewhat metaphysical turn, with the singer professing their belief in spirits, harmony, and the stars above. The final verse touches on the idea that there are differing rules for different people in life, using the lion as a metaphor for someone who doesn't care about the rules. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, underscoring the message that slowing down and taking stock is an essential part of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're twenty-five
Being young and alive, your whole world feels exciting and hopeful.
So alive
Feeling vibrant and full of energy.
All the world comes crashing
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming and burdensome.
Down on you
Feeling like everything is weighing heavily on your shoulders.
Taking that freeway
Traveling down the fast lane of life.
Oh, river of no return
Metaphorically, the path being taken could have severe consequences that may lead to an irreversible negative outcome.
Take that slow-bound highway
Slowing down and taking a more leisurely path through life.
Yeah, you got to slowdown
Sometimes it's essential to take a step back and reevaluate your life's path.
With my tears held back
Holding back emotions and keeping them bottled up inside.
Yeah, you were the crazy one
Referring to a person who is adventurous, daring, and living life to the fullest.
Can't hold my tears back
Feeling overwhelmed and having emotions bubbling to the surface.
Fly so high, we touch the sky
Taking risks and reaching for the stars.
Fly too high, and I feel part of me die
Going too far to the extreme may have negative consequences and cause someone to lose a piece of themselves in the process.
Fly too high, never wonder why
Not seeing or understanding the consequences of one's risky behavior.
And I, oh I, yeah
Feeling introspective and contemplative.
I believe in spirits in the sky
Believing in something beyond oneself.
I believe in harmony
Believing that everything should work in balance and peace.
I believe in stars up above
Believing in something bigger than oneself.
I believe in one true love
Believing in finding one special person to share life with.
The next day in a dream
In a dream, realizing the importance of someone special from the past.
Saw you cross the street
In the dream, seeing this person in a place that feels familiar but far away.
You said hello, how are you?
Feeling the need for reconnection with this important person from the past.
And how does it feel to be so complete?
Wondering what their life is like now and how it feels to have found fulfillment.
Said there's one law for the lion
Acknowledging that some individuals don't have to abide by the same rules as everyone else.
He just don't care at all
People who are willing to disregard consequences or act recklessly due to their sense of self-importance.
Can't hold my tears back
Feeling like emotions must come forth and have an outlet.
Got to slowdown
Reiterating the need to take a break and find a more leisurely pace of life.
Contributed by Lincoln D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.