Hostage Life @ NXNE 2006

Bovine Sex Club

Toronto, ON

on Jun 8 2006

Caitlin Hotchkiss (CHARTattack)

06/09/2006 11:30am

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition: Hardcore rockers showing the newbs how it's done.

Grade: 88

Comment: It may be cliched to say it, but Hostage Life definitely take no prisoners.

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: E
Pronounciation: S
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: G
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  With a red face and a prominent vein bulging out of his forehead, Hostage Life's frontman stormed the stage with an in-your-face vocal delivery that took him halfway through the room and back. There was also spitting, swearing and calling out previous band Dead Letter Dept. with, "Fuck you for being that good." Excellent.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: G
Organization: S
Audience Participation: E
Sound: E
Composition: G
Songs: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  The music itself was definitely one of those nebulous "core" genres, but I wouldn't dare use emocore for fear that they'd brain me with a broken beer bottle, so "hardcore" is easiest. But the majority of the crowd already knew and loved these guys, regardless of stereotyping, and it wasn't long before a mini-mosh pit formed at the front, complete with yelled song requests. The band members themselves were locked so tightly that they sounded like a team or a gang, or perhaps an army.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: S
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: S
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  Tattoos, facial piercings and onstage beer bottles abounded! Not to mention Hostage Life keep up the grand tradition that is the bass player always being the hot one (while the singer, conversely, looked like somebody's psychotic uncle).