Jeff Burke couldn’t coax his Japanese punk outfit the Novice back to Texas with him, but Friday night inside Red 7 the local guitarist corralled Radioactivity. Sparking bromance in a front row of awkwardly pumping fists and sloppy hugs, the quartet burned through its self-titled EP, a ring of sweat starting at the singer’s collar and working its way down.
Ex Hex, D.C. shredder Mary Timony’s current power trio, began with a drowsy rendition of “Don’t Wanna Lose” from last year’s relentless debut Rips. The ladies’ first U.S. stop after a European drag race found fatigue rolling off the threepiece and into the crowd. Then the onetime Helium frontwoman and Wild Flag guitarist stumbled over to bassist Betsy Wright and all the gears clicked into place.
Without question, Timony and Wright are at their best while sharing the same airspace. At some point, the high-kicking Wright is going to bludgeon someone’s brain in. Hopefully it isn’t Timony.
The latter hit her stride with the biting “Hot and Cold,” losing herself in a screeching, race track solo. Each hard-earned notch in her Les Paul caught the light as she went to work.
“You’re acting like the foolish kind,” she drawled. “Keep tryna talk to me through your mind.”
As the last note faded, Wright and Timony shared a triumphant look. Whatever rhythm they lost crossing back over the Atlantic, they rediscovered it on the fly.
“[This is] for all the crazy beasts who might be out there,” smirked the singer. “I know there are some. Show of hands? This is about you guys.”
The packed house didn’t hesitate, jumping all over themselves to confess. “Radio On” further elevated the mania. At the end of the two-song encore, Laura Harris’ drum set spontaneously combusted.
Shrugging, she continued to pummel what remained standing.
This article appears in April 10 • 2015.