Wheat @ NXNE 2000

Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Jun 10 2000

Brain Pascual (CHARTattack)

06/14/2000 12:00pm

Hometown: Taunton. MA

Background/Composition: Four-piece melodic pop kings that managed to justify every single raving review ever written about them. Standard bass, drums, guitars.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Band exceeds skill and knowledge expectations. Rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Band achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Band demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
Below 50: Band has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Grade: 98

Comment:
Being critic darlings is tough. Wheat is one of those bands that the rock critics all seem to love, yet the buying public never get to hear. Well, welcome to Toronto, Wheat! It is probably a safe bet that these good ol' American boys won some serious fans over. It's usually a good sign when after the set people are screaming at each other and saying, "Fuck!!! That was awesome!!!" Long lineup at the merch table shows that these guys might be set for bigger and better things?

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronunciation: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G
Strengths/ Weaknesses/ Next Step: Surprisingly comfortable with the crowd, the primary singer kept up a great dialogue with the audience. He seemed genuinely happy and pleased that so many people were out to see the band, and showed the crowd humility and pleasure. By mid-set, their music was taking over so much, that he could have read the ingredients on the back of a shampoo bottle between songs, and people would have still been cheering them on. The band had a nice, easygoing presence onstage. Sort of like, "Hold on, folks, let's take it nice and easy and we're all gonna have a good time."

Musical Analysis
Cooperation With Others: G
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E
Strengths/ Weaknesses/ Next Step: The musicianship was superbly tight, as the band went through their mix of Sonic Youth meets Elliott Smith lush pop music. With songs that can go from gorgeous easy, laid-back pop music to all-out instrumental, melodic mania, Wheat had the crowd literally drooling and hungry for more.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: G
Strengths/ Weaknesses/ Next Step: Wheat's charisma comes from their seemingly polite natures. These guys just seem like genuinely nice guys. One of those nights when you come away thinking - no, knowing, something special had just happened.