By: Sean Sauder
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Flickerstick - Publicity Photo
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Say what you will about reality television, but VH1's Bands On The Run helped The Denton, Texas band Flickerstick gain a small but loyal national following they may not otherwise have had. In a perfect world they'd be enjoying a lot more success, but in today’s music business a band that writes their own songs, can play their instruments, and tours relentlessly can hardly compete with an average actress who's an even worse singer. But, I digress.
Flickerstick hit the stage Thursday night at Star Central in Columbia Heights (formerly, Star Bar) to a couple hundred fans who had eagerly looked forward to the show since it had been announced In mid October. After all, it had been about 2 1/2 years since the band had played a show in the Twin Cities. The lineup was slightly different than it was when the group won Bands On the Run (drummer Dominic Weir and guitarist Cory Kreig are no longer members), but Flickerstick did not miss a beat. Splitting the set evenly between their albums, Welcoming Home The Astronauts and Tarantula, Flickerstick mixed the familiar with the not so familiar (the band didn't stop in Minnesota on the Tarantula tour).
Just as I was about to comment to my companion that lead vocalist Brandin Lea's voice was in fine form for the middle of a tour, Lea apologized to the crowd for having blown out his voice in Kansas City the night before. Well, he sure fooled me. He did ask the crowd to sing along to help him out, and they were happy to oblige - especially during "Chloroform The One You Love.” Other highlights included, "Smile," "Coke," and the high energy set closer, "Beautiful."
The hour long set went by quickly, and Lea returned to the stage for an encore with a solo version of "Direct Line To the Telepathic." As always, the band was more than happy to meet the fans after the show, and I hope Flickerstick won’t wait another 2 1/2 years before they return to the Twin Cities. Judging by the crowd reaction Thursday, they'll be eagerly anticipating their next visit.
Set List
Blue
Girls & Pills
Catholic Scars & Chocolate Bars
Smile
Pistol In My Hand
Coke
Teenage Dope Fiend
When You Were Young
Chloroform The One You Love
Bleeding
Sorry...Wrong Trajectory
The Ones
Beautiful
Encore
Direct Line To The Telepathic
Location Info:
Star Central
Artist Info: Flickerstick
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