Romeo Flynns

The Romeo Flynns are a power-pop band from Detroit, Michigan who have helped define and shape that genre in that region, influencing countless similarly minded Motor City bands.
Taking both geography and genre into consideration, these facts result in a band that writes infectious, melody-heavy rock ’n’ roll songs with hard guitar riffs and a tight rhythm section, but their Motor City roots inject some grit into the sound, the raw energy that is synonymous with Detroit music. Their music has drawn comparisons to Cheap Trick, Big Star and British Invasion bands of the ‘60s like the Dave Clark 5 and the Beatles.
Formed in 2006, the band currently consists of singer and guitarist Dorian Lawrence Lee, bassist Jimmy Moroney and drummer John Sarkisian.
Pictures of You
Their debut album, Pictures of You (which featured original drummer Jeff Kenny), was released in 2008, and that record saw them pick up a Grindie Award from www.radioindy.com. It was also rated highly in the Metro Times newspaper end of year polls. Much of the praise centered around the fact that the album showcased the big, hook-ridden tunes that the band had being using as bait for their ever-blossoming fan base on the live circuit. As well as the title track, highlights of the album include “A Better Man Than Me”, “Something About Her” and “Just Fade Away”. The album also featured contributions from cellist Robert Bergman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Romeo Flynns live
The Romeo Flynns have shared a bill with Grand Funk Railroad’s Mark Farner and many similar-minded Detroit bands like the Callbacks and the Pounders. They have played the Michigan State Fair, and the International Pop Overthrow Festivals in Detroit, New York and England.
They made headlines in 2009 when they flew into the John Lennon Airport on their way to the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, in order to play the Pop Overthrow Festival. The band was deported due to a misunderstanding over their visas. They were able to stay in the country for 24 hours, in which time they played their set at the Cavern, went back to the hotel and returned to Detroit early the next morning.
Masque of Anarchy
2010 saw the release of the Flynn’s sophomore release, Masque of Anarchy. The album kicks off with a spoken word introduction telling of the state of the U.S. economy and then picks up where Pictures of You left of, with a set of hard-hitting, pop-infused hard rock songs, like the title track, “Dance the White Line” and the power ballad “Don’t Leave Me Now”.
The album received mass critical acclaim, and prompted Bill Holdship of the Metro Times to write “One of the prime building blocks of the best power pop has always been that it's evocative, totally reminiscent of something you've once heard ... even if you're hearing a particular song for very first time. And that litmus test is true of no fewer than six songs on this sophomore effort. The title tune… has a terrific melodic hook that's reminiscent of ... well, this writer has been trying to place it for weeks now, almost to the point of insanity, with little success.”
Moving forward
The Romeo Flynns continue to play regionally and nationally on a regular basis. 2010 sees them promoting Masque of Anarchy on the live circuit.

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