Wheatmonkeys @ NXNE 2006

Background/Composition: Candy-coated, pop-laden cute-as-a-button pop-punk from the prairies.

Grade: 72

Comment: Fourty-five minutes of super-sweet pop-punk is little much for the final hours of NXNE. They burst out of the gates strong, but they lacked the stage energy of the bigger bands in the genre. Although the songs were still strong, it was hard to focus any longer.

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: S 
Stage Presence: S
Stage Banter: N
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: For half of their set, Wheatmonkeys were pretty entertaining, but they need to make use of each other and the stage. I will give them credit for trying to get crowd involved, but it wasn't working and they should've resorted to something else.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: G
Work Habits: G
Organization: E
Audience Participation: S
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: The key word for these guys is catchy. In their short set, half of the songs could probably be huge hits on MuchMusic. In Saskatoon, they probably have every girl between 12 and 17 screaming their names.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: S
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: N
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Despite what the singer's shirt claimed, I doubt there is an ounce of anarchism in any of these guys, at least you wouldn't know it from their tunes. They've followed the pop-punk handbook for style well and it's pretty inoffensive, since everyone else is doing it, too.