The Flying Tigers

WITH their potent combination of modern sounds, vintage attitude and raw energy, the Flying Tigers are unquestionably one of the year’s most exciting new bands. The Los Angeles-based trio’s self-titled Atlantic Records debut sees the band creating their own brand of new millenial rock – irresistible hooks, uncompromising riffs, and heartfelt songwriting, all marked by singer/guitarist Ryan Martin’s distinctive vocals. Tracks such as the electrifying first single, “Maybe,” display a band who are clearly focused on the future, while never turning away from the eternal power of classic rock ‘n’ roll.

“It’s like our name,” Martin says. “The Flying Tigers – it’s simple and classic-sounding, and that’s where we’re coming from musically as well. I mean, we don’t sound like a Seventies band, but we want to capture that kind of organic attitude.”

“We’re just a simple rock band with really good melodies,” drummer Gary Benson adds. “It’s just raw, real rock music.”

Martin and Benson formed the Flying Tigers after the two had been members of the alternative group Frankie Machine. After nine years together the team was now anxious to strip away stale layers and focus on emotional original rock music.

Former Powerman 5000 bassist Dorian Heartsong, was also on a quest for something new and inspiring. A mutual friend introduced Heartsong to Martin and Benson and the lineup was solidified.

“I left PM5K to play fresh music with new people,” the bassist says, “but I didn’t expect to find the right situation so quickly.

The Flying Tigers spent summer 2001 on the road, supporting The Cult. When the Cult tour concluded, the Flying Tigers went home to L.A. and began planning for their debut album. Renowned producer/mixer Brendan O’Brien (Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine) heard a few demos and soon plans were made for the Atlanta-based producer to spend a day with the band on his next trip to the West Coast.

“Brendan arrived September 10th,” Martin recalls, “The next day, obviously, all hell broke loose. It was surreal. My all-time favorite producer wants to help us and the world is going to end!”

O’Brien was, of course, anxious to get home to his family but with airports closed from coast-to-coast, he was temporarily trapped in L.A. The producer spent the day watching the Tigers rehearse and, Martin recalls, “the next day I get a call on my cell phone: ‘Hey, you want to make a record?’ Next thing we knew we were on our way down to Atlanta to start working.”

The resulting collection is the band’s strong sonic foundation countered by Martin’s straightforward lyrical stance, evident in the slow-burning “What’s Become Of Me,” the volatile “Detonate” and the fully-charged “Drive.”

“It’s just real life stuff,” Martin says. “I just try to write about stuff that’s happened to me or people close to me, or things that I see happening g around me. I try and keep it simple and just talk about things that are really going on in my life.

Armed with an arsenal of great songs, the Flying Tigers are touring the country supporting their new album and churning out versions of the world as they see it – one song at a time.

Ryan Martin: vocals, guitar
Gary Benson: drums
Dorian Heartsong: bass