POP MUSIC REVIEWS : WEDNESDAY WEEK: WHAT DOES IT HAVE RIGHT NOW?

A lot of memories were sparked as Wednesday Week celebrated the release of its debut album “What We Had” with a set sandwiched between reunions of 100 Flowers and the Last on Wednesday (when else?) at Club Lingerie.

Many among the friends, families and fans on hand remarked at how far Wednesday Week--which began as a trio of young women with more spunk than skill--has come in the several years since all three bands were regulars in local clubs.

But this performance showed that the band--original members Kristi (guitar and vocals) and Kelly (drums) Callan and Heidi Rodewald (bass and vocals), with new lead guitarist David Nolte--still has a few steps left to go.

Wednesday Week’s songs are good, but not quite unforgettable. The playing and arrangements were crisp and direct, but generally lacking in oomph. The singing is fine, but better use of harmonies would lift the material a notch. And underscoring all this was a fairly timid stage presence.

When any one of these elements was pushed ahead--the catchy hook of “Why,” the punchy bass-guitar interlock of “Missionary,” the raw encore of the Stones’ “Street Fighting Man”--the band’s potential was clear. If it could put it all together, this could definitely be a heavyweight contender in a league with the likes of the Smithereens and Bangles (to whom this group will inevitably draw somewhat inaccurate comparisons).

Both 100 Flowers and the Last played with the fresh energy of bands in their prime rather than nostalgic reassemblies. The former’s set of industrial-strength punk ‘n’ funk, including its classic rant “Ack, Ack, Ack,” was particularly invigorating. The latter (including Nolte and his brother Joe) came off as more conventionally melodic, but equally engrossing. Imagine the Dead Kennedys with nice songs. All this made it a truly special evening for followers of L.A. rock.