Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm! @ CMW 2006

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition: A trio of young ruffians bring the pain, electro-style.

Grade: 75

Comment: As you might assume, Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm! strive to literally embody their name in performance through the art of "smash-yelling." Clad in oversized helmets, the three band members proceed to beat each other over the head with plastic chains, limbs, plates and, occasionally, audience members. At the same time, they scream and chant/roar to nightmarish, pre-recorded synth beats. They are dirty and drunk as shit; a dance party invariably ensues.

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: S 
Pronounciation: N
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: S
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: There was no fanfare or warning as the trio began flailing around, but they get bonus marks for using The Boat's dance floor with a stumbling effectiveness. Woe betide the poor soul who tried to get their own punches in — I saw more than one body launch backwards to the floor. Aside from the helmets, Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm! are also all very good looking in that "I go to the Boat regularly" kind of way. Those tight outfits accentuate the positive — hoo boy.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: G
Work Habits: G
Organization: S
Audience Participation: E
Sound: S
Composition: S
Songs: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: The songs were apparently all about fights and hitting things, shouted out over these hard, nuggety little beats. The sound quality kept fading in and out deliberately. As for vocals, the band seemed pretty hopped up on whisky, so things got a little slurry at times. Meh. Who cares about this music junk anyway? What Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm! lack in musical aptitude, they make up for in — you guessed it — enthusiasm!

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: S
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: G
Sexiness: E
Haircut: E
Indie Rock Footwear: E
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: S
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm!'s set marked a palpable change in the evening's affairs — everything that occurred after their set felt just a tiny bit more unhinged. I suppose that's what happens when you introduce guttural screams, slam-dancing and ritualized beatings into a group of hammered hipster types.