Kevin Bronson on November 10th, 2010

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The Fling, the Long Beach quartet whose affection for ’60s-style harmonies and fuzzy psychedelia moved the band quickly to the front of the line among folk-rock revivalists, have signed to Dangerbird Records.

||| Also: The backstory of the Fling, along with a download of “Strangers.”

The L.A.-based label – home to Silversun Pickups, Minus the Bear, the Dears and Fitz & the Tantrums, among others – will re-release the band’s DIY album “When the Madhouses Appear” in early 2011.

“We’re pretty excited,” singer-guitarist Dustin Lovelis said Wednesday, just as the band was due to leave for a monthlong U.S. tour. “We’ve been working back and forth on this for a while, and to have made the record on our own and then have someone like [Dangerbird co-founder] Jeff Castelaz believe in it is very rewarding. there’s nowhere to go but up for us.”

Said Castelaz, via e-mail: “I am a lucky man: I get to fall in love with bands, let their music tear my heart to shreds, then offer them a spot on the Dangerbird gang. Today, as Fitz & the Tantrums are breaking at radio all over the U.S., a new band called the Fling stopped by our office and signed to the label. The Dangerbird gang has taken a huge step forward with their addition to our ranks. They are a special band, and have made an album like a rocketship: From the very first note, it takes you somewhere, and doesn’t let you to off until you’re in a place far, far away. Which is exactly what rock and roll is built to do. ‘Wanderingfoot’ is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Ever.

Dustin Lovelis writes lyrics that so perfectly convey winsome, heartache, bitterness and sweetness, I want to spray paint them on the insides of my eyelids.”