The Flatmates, part of the mid-1980s British indie pop boom, were part of T… Read Full Bio ↴The Flatmates, part of the mid-1980s British indie pop boom, were part of The Subway Organization, a Bristol record label formed by Martin Whitehead. Whitehead is also guitarist and main songwriter for the band.
Following the group's formation in 1985, singles such as "I Could Be in Heaven", "Happy All the Time" and "Shimmer" established the band as a successful indie band but The Flatmates disbanded in April 1989 before releasing a proper studio album.
The group's core members were Martin Whitehead (guitar) and Debbie Haynes (vocals). Initially, the band also included Kath Beach (bass guitar) and Rocker (drums). Prior to recording their first single, Beach left the band and was replaced by Sarah Fletcher.
The line-up of Haynes, Whitehead, Fletcher and Rocker recorded the first two Flatmates singles, 1986's "I Could Be in Heaven" and 1987's "Happy All the Time", both Whitehead compositions. Rocker left the band prior to their third single, November 1987's "You're Gonna Cry", and was replaced by Joel O'Bierne. Ironically, "You're Gonna Cry" was a Rocker composition, the only A-side he would pen for the band.
"Shimmer", released in March 1988 as the fourth Flatmates single, was the band's biggest hit, produced by Chris Allison reaching No. 2 on the UK Indie Chart. Shortly after the single was released, Tim Rippington was added as a second guitarist. Bassist Fletcher then left The Flatmates prior to their fifth and final single "Heaven Knows". She was eventually replaced by Jackie Carrera; however it was Whitehead who played bass on "Heaven Knows", while Rippington handled all the guitar.
The group split up in 1989, with Carrera joining The Caretaker Race and Whitehead and O'Bierne forming The Sweet Young Things. Whitehead later formed the short-lived band Shrimptractor in 1992.
Two collections of Flatmates material have been released on CD, Love and Death (1989) and Potpourri (Hits, Mixes and Demos '85 - '89) (2005).
The group were reformed by Whitehead in 2013, featuring Lisa Bouvier on vocals, and released a single called "You Held My Heart" on Archdeacon of Pop Records. In August 2015, Bristol-based indie label Local Underground released a second new Flatmates single, featuring covers of "When You Were Mine" by Prince, and "Comedian" (originally titled "Comedienne") by Cinerama. The band’s first full studio album, “The Flatmates” was released in March 2020.
Following the group's formation in 1985, singles such as "I Could Be in Heaven", "Happy All the Time" and "Shimmer" established the band as a successful indie band but The Flatmates disbanded in April 1989 before releasing a proper studio album.
The group's core members were Martin Whitehead (guitar) and Debbie Haynes (vocals). Initially, the band also included Kath Beach (bass guitar) and Rocker (drums). Prior to recording their first single, Beach left the band and was replaced by Sarah Fletcher.
The line-up of Haynes, Whitehead, Fletcher and Rocker recorded the first two Flatmates singles, 1986's "I Could Be in Heaven" and 1987's "Happy All the Time", both Whitehead compositions. Rocker left the band prior to their third single, November 1987's "You're Gonna Cry", and was replaced by Joel O'Bierne. Ironically, "You're Gonna Cry" was a Rocker composition, the only A-side he would pen for the band.
"Shimmer", released in March 1988 as the fourth Flatmates single, was the band's biggest hit, produced by Chris Allison reaching No. 2 on the UK Indie Chart. Shortly after the single was released, Tim Rippington was added as a second guitarist. Bassist Fletcher then left The Flatmates prior to their fifth and final single "Heaven Knows". She was eventually replaced by Jackie Carrera; however it was Whitehead who played bass on "Heaven Knows", while Rippington handled all the guitar.
The group split up in 1989, with Carrera joining The Caretaker Race and Whitehead and O'Bierne forming The Sweet Young Things. Whitehead later formed the short-lived band Shrimptractor in 1992.
Two collections of Flatmates material have been released on CD, Love and Death (1989) and Potpourri (Hits, Mixes and Demos '85 - '89) (2005).
The group were reformed by Whitehead in 2013, featuring Lisa Bouvier on vocals, and released a single called "You Held My Heart" on Archdeacon of Pop Records. In August 2015, Bristol-based indie label Local Underground released a second new Flatmates single, featuring covers of "When You Were Mine" by Prince, and "Comedian" (originally titled "Comedienne") by Cinerama. The band’s first full studio album, “The Flatmates” was released in March 2020.
Love Cuts
The Flatmates Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Flatmates:
Happy All the Time Hey darling listen to what I say Because it could be…
I Don't Care I don't care, he don't care I don't care, he don't…
Shimmer Don't act surprised 'cause you realize nothing's meant to …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Eddie Willers
Another brilliant, shining jewel in the 80's indie scene - one of the greatest bands that never quite made it. Deb Haines's voice (and Martin Whitehead's lyrics) are redolent of the 60's girl-group sound..excellent stuff!
Lawrie Dunn
I've just, very gladly, rediscovered this great 80s band. I remember their gigs in Bristol in the 80s, especially at the Tropic Club. I went to school with Deb and her impassioned voice still conjures fantastic memories. I've downloaded some of their stuff from Spotify; so you can still find it.
Eddie Willers
I corresponded with Martin Whitehead in the late 90's as to what became of the band: Martin was an entertainment lawyer (with the Sugarbabes on his client list); Rocker had become a dentist in Brighton; Debbie had dropped off the radar completely and was believed to be a housewife somewhere; Sarah F was still involved in indie-music, apparently. Shame they never gathered wider attention.
haberstr
Cool sound but nothing without the unforgiving Debbie Haynes voice, which the radio needs more today than ever.
John Hasnip
Top Pop, so good to hear it again. I remember having a cheap old acoustic and playing along to this...on just the one string of course....i didn't know back then just how to use the other 5 ! Ah....80's , you lovely time you !
lifeforlola
I saw them in Wendover. Love them, love them, love them.
Gary Stanton
Great band. DJ Hammy used to play them at Martines in Pompey around 89-91. The burst of feedback at the start of "Shimmer" was the signal to go crashing towards the dancefloor.
Cee CVill
Actually, it is a GREAT song. Listen til' the end
Connor Billyams
this is so fucking great
poskett
great song, great band. only saw them once - southampton west indian centre (the night someone stole their money i believe :()