Today, London band WACO have released a new EP and single titled ‘Flip Forever’. It sees the group paying tribute to late bassist Chris ‘Flip’ Cowley, who died suddenly in 2018, on what would be his 35th birthday.
‘Flip Forever’ captures WACO as their most archetypal, embracing elements of pop, punk, and radio rock in what is a ferocious and passionate tribute to Cowley. A video by WACO collaborator and “road dog” Paul Blue can be viewed below. It features unseen live footage and memories of Chris taken from WACO’s early tour.
The accompanying EP’s carries on the sentimental tone, serving as a snapshot into “Flip”s time in the band with old favourites ‘Agitation’ and ‘‘Rotten Tooth’. It concludes with ‘Best Friend’, an ode to fraternity and friendship and the stepping stone to WACO’s more experimental, eclectic side they would develop on their albums.
Since the tragic loss of “Flip”, WACO have released two albums, ‘Hope Rituals’ (2020) and ‘Rock Spirit Absolute Joy’ (2022), through Venn Records.
WACO Donate 100% of EP Profit to Cruse: a bereavement support charity
Having previously released singles in aid of NHS Charities Together, Blueprint (formerly The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust) and Mind, WACO will be donating all money made from the ‘Flip Forever’ EP on Bandcamp to Cruse. They are a bereavement support charity that offer a variety of services to support and inform those grieving. This includes campaigning for better business standards and improving bereavement laws, and projects on how they can support communities such as schools, prisons or retirement villages.
Fans can purchase ‘Flip Forever’ on Bandcamp here.
Upcoming WACO Shows
WACO will be playing several shows in the coming weeks, including a headline show at Luna in East London. The venue is considered a “spiritual home” for the band. Entry is £5 on the door.
August
31st Luna, East London (support from Girls Like Us, Soaked, and On a Hiding to Nothing)
September
1st Badlands Festival, Lincoln
2nd Bad Pond Festival, Brighton
October
6th – 8th Till the Fest, South London
