Woodhands @ NXNE 2007

Background/Composition: Dan Werb is on a one-man crusade to prove that the keytar is not a joke instrument. In his aid he's enlisted drummer, Paul Banwatt and singer May Lee Todd. Godspeed, sir.

Grade: 92

Comment: Woodhands got stuck with possibly the worst slot of the entire festival: 1 a.m. after the Comfort Zone mysteriously closed its bar, and right underneath the marquee act of NXNE 2007, Soundtrack Of Our Lives. What a shitty deal. If it bothered Werb to watch three quarters of the audience clear out while he set up his electronics, he didn't let on. As the true believers and Silver Dollar overflow trickled in, they were treated to a balls-to-the-wall dance party of epic power, if not proportion.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Rol lExpectations
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: When you read about a guy with glasses and a Jew-fro swaggering like Tom Jones, his polo shirt unbuttoned to cool his hairless chest, you probably picture some sort of clown — an actor selling an exaggeration. Banish that image from your brain, because Werb is as real as it gets. To everyone there it was plain that the frontman put his guts into every note he sang, every grunt he uttered. My only complaint is that May Lee Todd's mic was too quiet to hear her clearly.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Woodhands' fantastic energy was built on a foundation of superb musicianship. Banwatt's sticks moved like electricity over the drum kit as he beat out the Caribbean-influenced grooves with lightning speed. Werb set songs in motion with ecstatic loops from his main keyboard, and then kicked them into high gear with his wailing keytar. He might as well have had buttons on his giant synth labeled "flail audience limbs" and "engage sweaty hugs between strangers."

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Let's face it, David Byrne won't live forever. The time has come to choose a new Lord Of The Nerds. I nominate Werb. His power to turn geek into sex is unmatched. Banwatt gets a runner-up for drumming in a Star Trek shirt. Well done.