UNFURRRRRL POWER!

(A review of Wild Flag’s Sold-Out L.A. Show of 11/4, Including Detailed Accounts of What They Wore)
by Gary Lucy

Wild Flag aren’t merely the best rock band in America, they’re an unholy coven. They don’t just play songs, they pound out primal-yet-complex incantations meant to resurrect rock from the dead. Judging by what I saw this Thursday night, they just might do it.

Their sound is a twin axe attack combining starchy riffage and progressive noodling… which forms a type of sonic Top Ramen. This gonzo guitar interplay--between Carrie Brownstein (prim beige sweater set, black jeggings, Victorian lace-up heels) and Mary Timony (Sleeveless biker T, denim mini-skirt, SUPER cute pixie boots)--is anchored by the precise, liquid-crystal-jackhammer drumming of Janet Weiss (red sleeveless top, long blue wrist band thingies that were like a cross between the forearm gear worn by Carmelo Anthony and that worn by oh mighty Isis).

The fan blowing Weiss’ hair sideways only added to the effect that she’s moving 100 mph. Rounding out the recipe is keyboardist Rebecca Cole (black formal sequined top and her trademark Pete Rose haircut), whose angelic backing vocals nicely leaven some of the sinister drone.

As free and reckless as Wild Flag sounds, there was something oddly…sensible about the proceedings at the Troubadour this night. The show started right on time, the sound was clear, bright, and just loud enough, the temperature was comfortable. I think this vibe all goes back to Brownstein, the heart of the band. She’s like exactly what Portlandia-style parents are hoping for when they send their kids to those hippie schools with no desks. Give us a daughter who’s creative, poised, self-actualized, authentic and is possessed by the spirit of rock. When she windmills on her SG, it’s no homage to Pete Townshend, it’s like she invented it.

Music nerds in attendance, on the verge of mass head explosion all night anyway, were finally pushed over the edge by the encore, which featured a nifty version of Television’s “See No Evil” and a drop in by Eleanor Friedberger (black toreador jacket covered in big puffy silver moons and stars, like something you’d wear to Doug Henning’s funeral). In short, if you didn’t go, you messed up.

SET LIST:
Black Tiles
Boom
Electric Band
Future Crimes
Black Tambourine
Winter Pair
Nothing
Short Version
Something Came Over Me
Romance
Racehorse
Encore:
See No Evil
Beast of Burden
Do You Wanna Dance?

Gary Lucy is co-host of the popular music podcast “Never Not Funny presents: Rock Solid”