Tele @ CMW 2007

Background/Composition: Angst-ridden Winnipeg rockers, all dressed in black and visibly pissed-off about something or other.

Grade: 81

Comment: If you're a 16-year-old white suburban high school student, meet your new favourite band. Tele combine loud guitars with some deathly keyboards to create a dense modern rock sound that's plenty emotional and looking to make people brood Canada-wide. These guys seem to have serious stadium ambitions and their sound had absolutely no problem filling Revival and then some.

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: S
Image: S
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Recalling Filter, Econoline Crush, The Killers and (strangely) Marilyn Manson, Tele pulled off an appropriate sound for their look and vice versa. The consistency of dress amongst the members was a nice touch and is something that more bands should consider, especially if they're looking to have the majors sniff about, because in these kinds of situations, clothes really do make the man.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: The music of Tele was decent overall, but it would have been nice if they got a bit more experimental with their keyboards. At times, it looked like they were going to go into Pink Floyd territory and throw in some bizarre organ fill. Unfortunately, that never materialized and the keys were used primarily to complement the guitars, which they did very well.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Tele get extra credit for having the guts to introduce the dreaded "playing the guitar with a bow" shtick. I suppose it's been almost 15 years since the first Tea Party record (and many more since Zep's heyday) so maybe for a new generation of Canadian kids, this will be their first chance to witness the deed live.