On Monday, Charleston, SC-based sextet Doom Flamingo released a new studio cover of Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Game”, best known for its inclusion in the 1990 David Lynch film, Wild At Heart. The track was initially premiered by Relix.
As Doom Flamingo bassist Ryan Stasik (Umphrey’s McGee) told Relix of the new track, “‘Wicked Game’ is easily the sexiest video I have ever seen. That bendy guitar line, the sandy beach scenes. It was a no brainer for Doom Flamingo to perform it.”
Adds guitarist Thomas Kenney, “‘Wicked Game’ has been a fan favorite on the road ironically. We get a lot of feedback on the live performance so recording it made sense. I think our version has all of our natural elements, but really the melody fits Kanika [Moore]’s voice so well- intimate and deeply emotional, as well as fierce and almost operatically soulful. Her range is incredible and she gets to express that on our version. We hope you dig!”
“Wicked Game”, which initially appeared on Isaak’s 1989 album, Heart Shaped World, fits perfectly as a Doom Flamingo track. The Doom Flamingo version of “Wicked Game” begins with cool and collected vocals from Kanika Moore before moving into a nonpareil groove led by the guitar of Thomas Kenney. From there, it transforms into a true assault on the cosmos with Ross Bogan and Mike Quinn leading the charge on keys and synth.
You can listen to the new Doom Flamingo track below:
Doom Flamingo – “Wicked Game” [Chris Isaak cover]
The new single comes along with cover art by Canadian illustrator, Jordan Noir. Noir has worked hand-in-hand with Doom Flamingo developing the band’s graphic aesthetic since their formation in the spring of 2018. Shortly after the band’s inception, Noir co-created alter-egos with each member of the group. Doom Flamingo’s expansive first album will be complemented by a 26-page comic book featuring these characters echoing the sonic themes found in the music.
The Jordan Noir single art for “Wicked Game” features Thomas Kenney (Guitar / Producer, DOOM FLAMINGO / Terraphonics) in the foreground as his comic book “yeti” character with Charleston’s tallest bridge in the background.
As Kenney says of Noir’s portrait of him, “I love Jordan’s portrait, it’s vibey and hilarious. I believe our manager made the comment that a photo of myself from a show looked like the original Best of Chris Issak album cover, and we decided to parody that.”
See below for a list of upcoming Doom Flamingo tour dates. For ticketing and more information, head over to the band’s website here.