Die Mannequin @ CMW 2007

The Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Mar 8 2007

Sarah Kurchak (CHARTattack)

03/09/2007 12:00pm

Background/Composition: A thrashy rock 'n' roll three-piece (drums, bass, guitar) fronted by a force of nature who goes by the name of Care Failure.

Grade: 90

Comment: With infectious songs and a blistering, balls out live show, Die Mannequin are definitely a band on the verge of greater things. In a few years time, the crowd at The Shoe last night will probably be full of we-knew-them-when stories of Failure's bar-scaling antics. They may not be the next big thing just yet, but they're in the line.

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: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Use of stage? That's for amateurs! Between the stage, the floor and the bar, Care Failure made use of the whole Horseshoe. And while "Welcome to Corporate Music Week" is a rather paint-by-numbers piece of anti-establishment stage banter for weekends such as these, Failure was able to pull it off with her earnest punk rock attitude.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Bon Jovi claims to have seen a million faces and rocked them all, but I sincerely doubt that he had the guts or commitment to audience satisfaction to actually rock them face to face. You can't get much better at audience participation than actually playing in the middle of the audience.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Die Mannequin have restored my faith in the coolness of young Canadian women in rock and the awesomeness of hot pants, both of which had been ailing since the release of Avril Lavigne's new video.