Perry A. Waters
Music Critic
Cincinatti Examiner
June 30, 1999 E4
Paid: $15.50
Worth: $30
Cincinatti,OH-- Flint was winding down their show last night when the band’s lead singer decided to catch his bandmates off-guard and introduce them individually to a receptive Queen City crowd. “Tonight on guitar, Venus Flytrap.” The crowd roars. “And on keyboards, Herb R. Tarlek, Jr.” The crowd's applause is polite from confusion. “Give it up for Andy Travis on bass and Dr. Johnny Fever on the spoons.” Pockets of echoing laughter greet Flint’s deadpan comedian-slash-singer as he introduces himself “... and I’m Les Nessman. Have a good night Cincinatti.” With that, Flint bursts into an impromptu, highly raucous version of the theme song to ‘WKRP in Cincinatti’. Few of the teenyboppers would appreciate the nostalgiac gesture but for the parents and journalists at the Flint show Wednesday night, it was one of the highlights of the night.
Perhaps Flint are the only current act in American music who are proud to be labelled “Eighties revivalists”. The WKRP stunt is enough of a testament to that. However, the quintet from north Florida may be steering the future of pop towards a ressurection of those Reagan years. The band’s sound is unique in today’s over-infested pretty people pop as it owes more to New Wave than to New Kids. Unfortunately, the boys in the band are known more for behavior that would make Jerry Springer wince than for the critical acclaim they’ve received for their debut CD, White Trash Folklore. The Cincinatti concert was the final warm-up to their highly anticipated headlining gig at this summer’s Hits Until Morning Party tour. From witnessing Flint in concert, I was pleasantly surprised by how strong they are live. If you like any of their radio-friendly singles or are a fan of Eighties music, I would highly recommend seeing Flint this summer. If you have a chance, you should.
Also expected on the Hits Until Morning Party bill was Flint's opening act, Harmony. Harmony, who is Flint lead singer Cody Jackson's little sister, is an unflawed pop princess. A taller, more stunning Southern belle than soon-to-be chief rival Britney Spears, Harmony is blessed with a lovely voice and a graceful presence on stage. Her sweet songs cater to many of the sixteen year olds in Flint's audience hoping to catch a wink from Doug or a smile from Juwan but could be described as bubblegum pop at its best. Harmony is guaranteed to be topping radio playlists when her album comes out in October so if you want to be able to say you saw Harmony when, check her out on tour with Flint this summer. All in all, it was a great night of entertainment on a great summer night.