Live music review: Flagman brought deep fried alt metal to Lost Well
Seattle-by-way-of-Orlando trio Flagman made their way south this summer to deliver their slap-bass mayhem to Austin metal stronghold Lost Well on July 16 – the second stop on their summer tour to spread their self-proclaimed brand of “deep-fried alt-metal.” Formed in 2015 around frontman and bass virtuoso Sam Stewart, the band has rotated through members over the years while keeping the bassist as the focal point of their roadshow. Since the dawn of the doomscroll era, artists and brands alike have been riding the algorithm to rack up streams and hopefully, enough chump change for Denny’s on the road. If you’re a Primus guy or a Mr. Bungle kind of weirdo, this band is for you.
Since Lost Well moved to its new home on Airport Blvd. in East Austin, the bookings haven’t slowed down. From local favorites like Parasiticide and Fuck Money to legacy acts like Weedeater and Eyehategod, the venue’s roots run deep in the live music capital. This is the place for metalhead nerds who own a hundred black t-shirts and two pairs of black jeans – and we mean that in the best way. Owners Marcello and Tasha Murphy found their new home after getting booted from their original location on Webberville Road in 2024. In this economy, that kind of second chance for a humble but proudly independent venue is a rarity.
Flagman channels every off-kilter mannerism of the hard-rock and alt-metal world, hints of Les Claypool, Mike Patton, Serj Tankian, take your pick. In an age of Instagram Reels and TikToks, Flagman has built a following on their volatile concoction of aural musical fusion. To get a first taste, check out their short but bludgeoning cut “Bumblebee.” Three full-lengths deep, the trio’s ascent shows no signs of slowing down.
Flagman took the stage at 10 p.m. for a caffeinated 45 minutes, tearing through the set without hesitation. Sounding tour-ready and tight as hell, Stewart and his bandmates locked into each song like they’d been playing these tunes for decades. That didn’t stop some intermittent noodling, with Stewart and drummer Colin Vaccaro teasing a few Primus riffs along the way. Gotta pay homage, right?
Guitarist Anthony Roman confessed he’d only learned the band’s set the week before hitting the road. New to the lineup, Roman has also played with Trash Panda and Emporos. Florida, it seems, is still a metal mecca – the humidity and the state’s godawful government apparently make for great art, not unlike Texas’s own brand of dysfunction. A video of the set was sent to my editor, who asked, “Is that guy wearing a robe like Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski?” Yes, that Dudeism moment did indeed happen.
When the dexterous power trio wrapped a concise 11-song set, they beelined for the merch table to sling their wares and talk shop with fans before heading to the next city, ready to lay out more crowds with their slap-and-pluck expertise.
Flagman continues down the road through the end of summer. Tickets are available via the band’s website.
All photos by Justin Clark
You must be logged in to post a comment.