Pyramid Culture @ CMW 2006

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition: Four strange and sexy indie choirgirls serenade with simple beats and songs about fetuses and nineteenth century robots.

Grade: 81

Comment: This may have been a showcase of supposed bad bands, but there's very little that's bad about Pyramid Culture. The combination of slightly off-key, well-matched female harmonics and the girls' minimalist dance moves were completely intoxicating. Their songs are completely bizarre and hysterical. I could have listened to them all night — we were all saddened by their "short and efficient set."

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
Pronounciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: G
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: The girls — led by Toronto supergirl Kat Collins — seemed to treat performing as casually as eating a sandwich, or getting dressed. It was just another thing they had to do during the day. They also get nice props for their matching primary coloured T-shirt dresses and for their (intentional?) Homeric channeling. During one song, each girl reached into the audience and caressed a willing male face of her choosing. Cheeky sirens!

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: G
Composition: G
Songs: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  Occasionally, a sweet harmony straggles to the surface in a Pyramid Culture song, but the voices generally cling to each other in a delightfully naturalistic way. You can also learn a lot from their clever lyrics — their song about Campion's Boilerplate (a robot soldier) sent this girl straight to Wikipedia. Thank you, Pyramid Culture!

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: E
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: This witty, hypnotic group might piss some people off by going legit when they open for Of Montreal in a few days, but really, shouldn't as many people hear them as possible? Pyramid Culture are completely lovely and surprising, and if anything else, they'll help you bone up on your Chichen Itza fun facts.