Original Fling

(aka The Fling)
Folk Rock
Deal / Sandwich, Kent
early 90s - Dec 2010 (RIP)
== Band Members ==
* Kevin Smith - violin, flute, mandolin, guitar, accordion, harmonica, vocals
Other members over the years:
* Mark Forrister - guitar, mandolin, vocals
* Charlie Higginson - guitar, vocals, animal noises
* A. Rigby - guitar, accordion, vocals
*Mark Thompson - guitar, vocals
* J. Lynch - bass
* Alison - bass
* Nick Harrington - drums
* Mark S. - drums
== Info ==
The Original Fling (later just The Fling) was a long-running Folk-Rock band centered around multi-instrumentalist frontman Kevin Smith, playing a mixture of original material, traditional tunes and covers. The band was a stalwart of the Kent pub circuit in all their various incarnations and lineups, due to their compelling mixture of energy, skill and laughter. Kev's dexterous and passionate playing was legendary throughout the region, and he was a master of a vast range of different instruments.
During the mid 90s, the name "Original Fling" came to represent the full band lineup, whilst "The Fling" became the duo (and eventually solo) version of the band.
Cover songs included The Pogues ("Sally MacLennane", "Irish Rover" amongst others), Donovan ("Colours") and The Levellers ("The Game").
Kevin Smith sadly died after a long illness on 21st December 2010, aged just 48. He will be sorely missed.
== Related bands ==
* Mirage - Kevin, Mark F., Nick H.
* Crooked Style - Charlie
== Recordings ==
=== 199? "Stomp It" cassette ===
If anyone has this tape, please get in touch
=== 199? "Huntsman" cassette EP ===
If anyone has this tape, please get in touch
=== 1992 "Drink Down" cassette ===
Side 1
# Buck Your Feet Up
# Fool Like You
# Jesse James
# Oxley Bottom
# Drink Down
# Irish Rover
Side 2
# Sails In The Wind
# The Clan
# Greenland Whale Fisheries
# Clan William Rd.
# Chains
# Hometown
https://www.youtube.com/embed/XxGGVRnpnGk
=== 1993 "Captain Morris" cassette EP ===
Side 1
# Sails In The Wind
# Medley
Side 2
# Captain Morris
# Jesse James
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8OaYWVchlY
=== 1996 "Put The Tea On" cassette ===
Side 1
# The Devil Went Down To Dover
# Put The Tea On
# Hero
# Dirty Old Town
# Mary
Side 2
# Mutiny
# January 8th
# Fighting Creed
# Jailerman
# The Sleeper
# Rakes Of Kildare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7vWoovx-8
=== 1997 "Original Fling" CD ===
# Buck Your Feet Up
# Drunken Sailor
# The Devil Went Down
# Medley
# Dirty Dave
# Jailerman
# Beer
# Battle Of Brisbane
# Raggle Taggle Gypsy
# Sails In The Wind
# Drink Down
# Rakes Of Mallow
# Wild Rover
=== 2001 "Original Fling II" CD ===
# Fiesta
# Whiskey In The Jar
# Streams Of Whiskey
# Clanwilliam Rd
# Dirty Old Town
# Jessie James
# Drinker's Life
# Colours
# Rakes Of Kildare
# Caroline
# Sally McLanane
=== 2004 "The Fling III" CD ===
# Brown Eyed Girl
# Pretty Boy Floyd
# Bad Moon Rising
# The Boatmen
# Johnny Come Lately
# Living In The Past
# Losing My Religion
# Scarborough Fair
# Johnny B. Goode
# Canon In D
== Gigs ==
Too many to list, but regular venues included:
* The Castle, Ashford
* The Mucky Duck, Sellindge
* The White Lion, Cheriton
* The Swingate Inn, Whitfield
* The Yew Tree, Barfrestone
* The Rose And Crown, Stelling Minnis
One fateful gig at The Mucky Duck in the mid 90s saw Kev drop and break his electric violin, rendering the band unable to gig for some months.