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The Flaming Lips

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Band Timeline

1983

Formation of The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips were formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The original lineup included Wayne Coyne on guitar, his brother Mark Coyne as lead vocalist, Michael Ivins on bass, and Dave Kotska on drums. The band made their debut performance at the Blue Note Lounge in Oklahoma City. Their name’s origin has multiple stories, including inspirations from films and an infamous rumor, but it stuck as a unique identifier for the group.
1984

Early Releases and Lineup Changes

In 1984, The Flaming Lips recorded their first EP, The Flaming Lips EP, which was the only release featuring Mark Coyne as lead vocalist. Dave Kotska was hired as the drummer, and Richard English also joined the group this year. Shortly after, Mark Coyne left the band, prompting Wayne Coyne to take over lead vocal duties. This period marked the beginning steps toward their evolving sound.
1986

Debut Album 'Hear It Is'

The band released their first full-length album, Hear It Is, in 1986 through Pink Dust Records, a psychedelic-rock imprint of Enigma Records. Recorded in London’s Southern Studios, this album showcased their early psychedelic rock foundations. This era established The Flaming Lips as a distinctive name in the independent music scene, combining experimental sound elements with Coyne’s nascent vocal style.
1987-1989

Further Albums and Expanding Sound

Between 1987 and 1989, The Flaming Lips released two more albums: 'Oh My Gawd!!!' in 1987 and 'Telepathic Surgery' in 1989. 'Telepathic Surgery' was initially conceived as a 30-minute sound collage, highlighting their creative experimental approach. During this phase, drummer Nathan Roberts replaced Richard English, and guitarist Jonathan Donahue joined. The band's sound expanded with more elaborate tape loops and effects, and Wayne's vocals began shifting to a higher, more distinctive style.
1990-1992

Breakthrough with Warner Brothers and 'Hit to Death in the Future Head'

In the early 1990s, The Flaming Lips signed with Warner Brothers, marking a significant step into the major label world. In 1992, they released 'Hit to Death in the Future Head,' their first album under the Warner Bros. label. This release featured a broader, more polished sound and marked the band's gradual rise to wider recognition beyond their indie roots.
1993

Mainstream Breakthrough with 'Transmissions from the Satellite Heart'

The Flaming Lips broke into the mainstream with their 1993 album 'Transmissions from the Satellite Heart,' which included the hit single 'She Don't Use Jelly.' This song received substantial MTV airplay and radio success, bringing the band national visibility. The album’s accessible yet quirky style helped bridge their experimental roots with broader alternative rock audiences.
1999

Critical Acclaim with 'The Soft Bulletin'

In 1999, The Flaming Lips released 'The Soft Bulletin,' an album that would become a landmark project in their career. Praised for its lush orchestration and emotive songwriting, the album was named Album of the Year by NME magazine. 'The Soft Bulletin' solidified the band’s reputation as innovative and ambitious artists, influencing many contemporary musicians and expanding the boundaries of psychedelic rock.
2002

Success of 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' and Cultural Recognition

The Flaming Lips released 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' in 2002, a critically acclaimed album blending electronic sounds with psychedelia. It garnered significant attention for its conceptual depth and experimental production. That year, the band was included on Q magazine's list of "50 Bands to See Before You Die," highlighting their rising stature in popular music culture and critical circles.
2007

BRIT Award Nomination and Continued Success

In February 2007, The Flaming Lips were nominated for a BRIT Award in the category of Best International Act. Their sustained innovation and unique live performances kept them in the spotlight. By this time, they had won three Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, underscoring their influence and success within the rock and alternative music genres.
2021

Lineup Change: Departure of Michael Ivins

In 2021, longtime band member Michael Ivins, who had been the bassist and keyboardist since the band's inception, departed. Wayne Coyne remained as the only original founding member, and Steven Drozd as a consistent member since 1991. This lineup shift marked a new chapter for The Flaming Lips, reflecting decades of evolution and changes in their personnel.

Albums

the-flaming-lips_1st_album
Hear It Is
11 tracks
1986
the-flaming-lips_2nd_album
Oh My Gawd!!!… The Flaming Lips
11 tracks
1987
the-flaming-lips_3rd_album
Telepathic Surgery
14 tracks
1989
the-flaming-lips_4th_album
In a Priest Driven Ambulance
12 tracks
1990
the-flaming-lips_5th_album
Hit to Death in the Future Head
11 tracks
1992
the-flaming-lips_6th_album
Transmissions From the Satellite Heart
11 tracks
1993
the-flaming-lips_7th_album
Clouds Taste Metallic
13 tracks
1995
the-flaming-lips_8th_album
Zaireeka
8 tracks
1997
the-flaming-lips_9th_album
The Soft Bulletin
14 tracks
1999
the-flaming-lips_10th_album
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
11 tracks
2002
the-flaming-lips_11th_album
At War With the Mystics
12 tracks
2006
the-flaming-lips_12th_album
Embryonic
18 tracks
2009
the-flaming-lips_13th_album
The Dark Side of the Moon
10 tracks
2009
the-flaming-lips_14th_album
7 Skies H3
10 tracks
2011
the-flaming-lips_15th_album
The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
7 tracks
2012
the-flaming-lips_16th_album
The Terror
9 tracks
2013
the-flaming-lips_17th_album
The Time Has Come to Shoot You Down… What a Sound
12 tracks
2013
the-flaming-lips_18th_album
With a Little Help From My Fwends
13 tracks
2014
the-flaming-lips_19th_album
Imagene Peise: Atlas Eets Christmas
11 tracks
2014
the-flaming-lips_20th_album
Oczy Mlody
12 tracks
2017
the-flaming-lips_21st_album
King’s Mouth: Music and Songs
12 tracks
2019
the-flaming-lips_22nd_album
American Head
13 tracks
2020
the-flaming-lips_23rd_album
Where the Viaduct Looms
9 tracks
2021
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Wayne Coyne

1983

Jake Ingalls

2013

Nicholas Ley

2014

Steven Drozd

1991

Michael Ivins

1983

Matt Duckworth

2013

Derek Brown

2009

Guitar

Background vocals

Keyboard

Percussion

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Jonathan Donahue

N/A
1991

Nathan Roberts

1988
1991

Richard English

1984
1988

Mark Coyne

1983
1985

Dave Kostka

1983
1984

Ronald Jones

1991
1996

Kliph Scurlock

2002
2014

Additional

Story of The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips: A Psychedelic Journey Through Rock History

The Flaming Lips, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, are a psychedelic rock band that burst onto the scene in 1983. Their sound, a vibrant mix of experimental noise, catchy melodies, and deeply personal lyrics, has cemented their place as one of the most influential and enduring bands of the past four decades.

The core of the Lips has remained remarkably consistent, with Wayne Coyne (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards) and Steven Drozd (guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, vocals) at the helm since 1991. Coyne, the band's visionary leader, is the only original member still standing after the departure of bassist and keyboardist Michael Ivins in 2021.

The band's early years were spent honing their craft on the independent label Restless Records, releasing a string of albums and EPs that foreshadowed their later success. The breakthrough came in 1992 when they signed to Warner Bros. Records and released "Hit to Death in the Future Head," followed by the critically acclaimed "Transmissions from the Satellite Heart" (1993) and the hit single "She Don't Use Jelly." This marked their entrance into the mainstream and propelled them toward a dedicated fan base.

The Flaming Lips continued to push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes with albums like "The Soft Bulletin" (1999), which was named NME magazine's Album of the Year, and the groundbreaking "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" (2002), widely regarded as a modern rock classic. Their unique blend of psychedelic rock, electronic elements, and theatrical performances earned them critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a BRIT Award nomination for "Best International Act" in 2007 and three Grammy Awards.

The band's impact is undeniable, as evidenced by their inclusion on Q magazine's "50 Bands to See Before You Die" list in 2002. The Flaming Lips have become synonymous with vibrant, adventurous music that pushes the boundaries of genre and leaves a lasting impression on anyone who experiences their live shows or listens to their music.

Early Days (1983-1990)

The Flaming Lips story begins in Oklahoma City, 1983. Wayne Coyne, on guitar, joined forces with his brother Mark on vocals, Michael Ivins on bass, and Dave Kotska on drums. This early lineup laid the foundation for the band's distinctive sound, setting the stage for the psychedelic rock revolution that was to come.

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