Background/Composition:
Hands & Teeth are a Toronto quintet who released their Enjoy Your Lifestyle EP in October. Their “Hunting Season” single’s also been used in an online McDonald’s campaign.
Grade: 77
Comment:
You probably don’t want to start your set with a cover, but that’s exactly what Hands & Teeth did with their version of The Beatles’ “Dig A Pony.” It kind of deflated everything else — originals — they played after. Put it in the middle of the set, guys.
Achievement of Rock ‘n’ Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock ‘n’ roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock ‘n’ roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.
Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really
Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronunciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: S
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
You know you have a Toronto crowd engaged when you can introduce a song about Hamilton, Ont. and not have people boo the hell out of you. “Hammer!” was screamed out more than one time during Hands & Teeth’s set.
But they lose points for including what was easily the cheesiest line I heard all CMW in their banter: “This song is called from our EP called Enjoy Your Lifestyle, and we hope you’ve enjoyed your lifestyle during CMW.”
Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: S
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: G
Composition: G
Songs: S
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
At one point, keyboardist/guitarist Jeff Pinto smacked the patch cord connected to Nathasha Pasternak’s acoustic guitar, which became a huge problem because as soon as he started playing it later. Annoying buzzing sounds emitted from it throughout the particular tune for which he needed the axe. After trying in vain to figure out why it was buzzing, the band solved this problem by not using said guitar for the rest of their set.
Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: S
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Pinto is irrationally tall at 6’5″. No, really. His head was nearly hitting the Comfort Zone ceiling and I was praying the entire time that he wasn’t going to jump because he probably would have gotten a concussion. He’s also got a killer moustache, and it put everyone else in the band’s facial hair to shame.
Pasternak showed off her fiddle skills for a bit, and the band really should incorporate that into more of their tunes.
- Mad Ones @ CMW 2011
- Union City @ CMW 2011
- Adam And The Amethysts @ CMW 2011
- Zeus @ CMW 2011
- Still Life Still @ CMW 2011
