Most people only know Flickerstick as the winner of VH1’s best reality show ever, 2001’s Emmy-nominated Bands on the Run. Why is that?Full disclosure: This question comes from someone whose friends still fondly recall the episode where the band’s Rex James Ewing, a.k.a. "El Dangeroso," screamed "You can’t rock like me, motherf—er!" during a competitive Soulcracker set. Who saw them nine times in concert (in five different states) before they lost any original members. Who was one of many journalists hanging out with them in NYC on Sept. 10, 2001, the night before they were to play Irving Plaza. (To the best of my inebriated knowledge, I was, however, the only one singing "Big Pimpin’" with Fletcher and Cory as we walked from bar to bar.)
So here’s what I’ve always wondered: Why did these guys, who rocked as hard as they partied, get so little love when they released their debut album on Epic? Keeping in mind that timing is everything, would their fate have been at all different if their first single, "Beautiful," hadn’t been released right around Sept. 11? Remember, some stations had banned songs with certain lyrics, and I’m guessing that "Beautiful"’s repeated use of "I’ve got to fly" wouldn’t have flown. Nor would the closing word battle:"And I know/ And I feel/ That I could learn to hate just like you/ And I know/ And I feel/ That you could learn to love just like me."Do me a favor: Watch the video here and tell me whether or not the song sucks. Even now that I’ve lost track of the band — still apparently together to some degree and touring — I think it’s good.
Comments (1-29) of 29 Add your comment
I totally agree! I’ve also seen Flickerstick multiple times throughout the past few years and they’re amazing – the live show will blow you away! I must admit, I do miss Cory, but they still put out great music and deserve much more fame. Definitely a band worth checking out.
Also, check out the song “Coke” – incredible!
It’s a great song that still holds up. And Bands on the Run was an AWESOME show. Please bring it back, VH1!
Sorry, I found it dull.
Great Band! Great Show! Go Denton, TX!!!
haha I loved this show. This song is kinda generic though. You know what band should be bigger? Brand New.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aMJIc9USE2U
the best part of bringing up flickerstick is remembering how great “bands on the run” was. what i want to know is why didn’t it continue? it was an amazing look into life as a band trying to make it as opposed to entering a popularity contest disguised as a talent competition. any chance for a dvd release of the show.
as for the band— i think they appeared to be the band that had the best chance of “making it.”
I loved that song when it came out, and still do! Thanks for bringing it back!
I was very surprised that Flickerstick made it to the popwatch page. I have loved this band since the days of BOTR. I have seen them twice and hopefully a third time this spring when they hit up NYC on their current tour. The band has gone through some big changes personnel wise but they still rock. They have a new live album in the works that should be released later this spring. I Love this band and hope that they get their due someday soon.
Dude, what happened?!? I loved Flickerstick, I STILL love the album. The songs have substance and the lead singers voice gets right down deep into your soul. They should really try and re-release the album and add some new tracks! I think it’s a winner.
“Together to some degree”–how about continuously together (with two changes in membership), still recording, and touring multiple times a year?
I’ve seen them live 10 times so far (eight since 2005) and they always rock. The new live album (Live in Atlanta) will be released on April 3. Also check out Tarantula, an all-studio album released in 2004.
I have seen them 7 times and they are amazing everytime they play. They are the best live band I have ever seen! They should be way bigger than they are.
This band is STILL amazing! Actually, even better before. And I hear they have a new album coming out. Anyone have any info on this?
For those that might not know about Flickerstick….boy are you missing something. You should stop in on one of their shows on the upcoming tour….you will see why all that have seen them say they are the best LIVE show ever!!! I would love for VH1 to release the show on DVD. And they should have a season two and let Flickerstick go back and kick butt again!!!
I LOVE flickerstick. Beautiful is such an amazing song that I still find it hard to believe that they arent well known
flickerstick is amazing! from ‘direct line…’ to ‘pistol in my hand’. completely different sounds but still never fails to stir the soul.
flickerstick rock!! one of the best live bands you’ll see.
check them out here:
http://www.flickerstick.com
http://www.myspace.com/flickersticktarantula
Flickerstick Ticket Links for “Live From Atlanta” CD Release Tour, IN STORES EVERYWHERE APRIL 3,2007
Mar 22 – Northgate Music Festival – College Station, TX
Tickets at: http://www.northgatemusic.com
Mar 28 – Jack’s Patio Bar – San Antonio, TX (with Vallejo!)
Tickets at: http://frontgatetickets.com/portal/results.php?terms=flickerstick
Mar 29 – Red Eyed Fly – Austin, TX
Phone their box office at 512-474-1084 to buy now
Mar 30 – Fitzgeralds – Houston, TX
Tickets at: http://fitzgeralds.indietickets.com/tickets/customer/home.php
Mar 31 – The Aardvark – Ft. Worth, TX
Tickets at: http://frontgatetickets.com/portal/results.php?terms=flickerstick
Apr 03 – Flannagan’s – Shreveport, LA
Tickets available by calling venue or DOS at the door.
Apr 04 – Cate Street Pub – Hammond, LA
Tickets at: http://www.catestreetpub.com
Apr 05 – Big Daddy’s – Tallahassee, FL
Tickets at: http://www.drinkfreebeer.com/SHOWSCHED3.htm
Apr 06 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
Tickets at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/807013
Apr 07 – The Social – Orlando, FL
Tickets at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/807013
Apr 09 – Smith’s Olde Bar – Atlanta, GA
Tickets at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale?action=selectPerformance&performance_id=544236
Apr 10 – Headliners – Columbia, SC
Tickets at: http://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSearch?action=displayPerformance&pageNumber=0&pageSize=10&queryString=action%3d simpleSearch%26searchTerm%3dflickerstick%26searchBy%3dEVENT%26x%3d22%26y%3d6
Apr 11 – Amos Southend – Charlotte, NC
Tickets at: http://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSearch?action=displayPerformance&pageNumber=0&pageSize=10&queryString=action%3d simpleSearch%26searchTerm%3dflickerstick%26searchBy%3dEVENT%26x%3d22%26y%3d6
Most definately still together and still rockin harder than ever. I am counting the days to see them once again in SC. Although I only get to see them once a year the shows are never a let down. Keep it up guys us true fans will never let you down.
Flickerstick kinda sucks. Musically there really isn’t much going on there. You can listen to any of their songs for 30seconds and figure out how to play it. Lyrically, they’re pretty good, but their technical skill is pretty unimpressive.
“Why Wasn’t This a Huge Hit: Flickerstick’s ‘Beautiful’”…this is the same question I have been asking for years. Flickerstick is an amazing band; even better live. Check them out this spring as they go on tour to promote their new live album that comes out April 3rd.
Flickerstick live is the best thing ever. Go to a live show and then come back here and comment. They will change your life. New album – Live in Atlanta – April 3rd. GET IT!!!
Flickerstick is the 1# band around and puts on the best and most up close and personal live show around. Ive seen a lot of bands before but Flickerstick is the only band I ever thought was worth seeing five(soon to be six)times and traveled to different states for. Rock on.
Bands on the Run was the most awesome reality show EVER. Why doens’t VH1 bring it back??? And BTW, the best quote was when the Flickerstick boys took to calling Soulcracker, “A**cracker”!!!
The music that this band creates and the way that they perform is hypnotic. They connect with their audience, whether it’s at a raw live show or through a well written and produced recording. They come across as real and sincere while simultaneously blowing you away with a very big rock sound or powerfully acoustic melody. I am never bored with the very dynamic music and lyrics on all of their CDs. It’s been interesting to see their music change and grow over the past 6 years. I can’t wait for this CD to arrive in my mailbox and to hit the highway for the spring 2007 Fickerstick roadtrip.
I saw this band twice in town and they were unbelievable. Their Welcoming Home the Astronauts CD is in my car CD player right now. I wish they had made it. I loved them. And i want to buy the BOTR season from VH1 but the channel never released it! What the heck!
Bring back Flickerstick!
It wasn’t a hit because it’s lame. The lyrics inspire my vomit.
I have seen the band three times now, once when they first went out on tour once at house of blues and finally their farewell show in ft worth. What an amazing band! they’re live performances are like no other i’ve ever seen. I think most people have a hard time understanding this type of music. It speaks to the soul…. Most main stream music out right now is watered down and sounds very basic, and very predictable. A band like Flickerstick that interacts with their audience this much is rare. I will miss them and understand that all great things come to an end but I will definitely hope for a reunion.
I will post photos of their last show on my flickr site.
http://www.flickr.com/mandyrocksout