WILD FLAG at Lee’s Palace, Tuesday, October 11 Rating: NNNN
There are no weak links in Wild Flag, the new post-punk band featuring former members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, Quasi and the Minders.
Thanks to S/K and her sketch comedy show Portlandia, Carrie Brownstein brings the most star power, which she masterfully harnesses through her guitar-riffing prowess, pointy-booted kicks and vocals dripping with attitude.
But at Lee’s Palace, it was co-vocalist/guitarist Mary Timony who inspired the most awe. Who knew she was such a polished and tasteful fret-tapper? Who expected to see her on her back, legs in the air, simultaneously soloing and fiddling with her effects pedals? Meanwhile, Janet Weiss practically rocks the skins right off her drums, while co-delivering the most understated and effective backup vocals alongside secret weapon keyboardist Rebecca Cole.
While the set’s first half was tight, succinct and punctuated by exuberant Brownstein/Timony stage moves, the last half slowed considerably due to super-extended jammy versions of several songs (Glass Tambourine, Racehorse, etc.) from their sole album. Catchy single, Romance, and a left-field cover – Beast Of Burden – guaranteed that we all left smiling.
