Million Dollar Marxists @ NXNE 2007

Background/Composition: With stage names such as Luke Nuclear and Timmy Trashbags, this Ottawa-based garage punk outfit make no qualms about their commitment to kick your ass. They managed to land a deal with the popular Gearhead Records back in 2004, fitting in well with that label's other bands such as New Bomb Turks and The Hellacopters. Usually a four-piece, the band brought along an extra member to allow for a two-guitar attack all night.

Grade: 88

Comment:Whoa! Ow! Those are the two thoughts I had as the Million Dollar Marxists launched into the set. Soon my eardrums adjusted though and it wasn't long before I had succumbed to the band's electrifying sound. They were so recklessly entertaining they even managed to snag stragglers who stuck around after The Diodes set, including The Diodes themselves.

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' rollstandard.
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: G
Image: G
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Singer Luke Nuclear made excellent use of the small stage at Sneaky Dees, posturing on the monitors and hanging from the venue's ceiling-suspended speakers. He takes more than a few punk rock moves from Iggy Pop and the rest of the band couldn't stand still either. One of the guitarists aimed his guitar at an enthusiastic crowd member at one point, and then proceeded to turn around and spit on the ceiling. Punk rock!

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The band's full-on punk rock assault didn't let up for a moment. Before you realized one song had ended, they'd already started into the next. To the casual listener, Million Dollar Marxists may not sound much different than your average aggro-punk band live, but instead of being clumsy and overwrought, their tunes oozed with a raw stamina and streamlined sound. Most of the songs did follow the same formula, but in this band's case anything but would have seemed awkward.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: For all their seemingly pent-up aggression, the guys in Million Dollar Marxists came off as friendly guys. The band's aggressive buzzsaw attack didn't stop them from flashing smiles at each other and the crowd as they played. And when one of the band's friends in the audience spit a mouthful of beer all over one of the guitarists, the axeman smiled and raised his head in a fit of punk glory.