Robin Black @ NXNE 2003

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition:
Robin "Fuckin'" Black is billed in his NXNE bio as "the motor-mouthed enfant terrible of Canadian rock." Fair enough, but he's certainly no G.G. Allin. There's a definite method to his glam-rock madness.

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: 80

Comment:
Black and company pulled out their usual bag of (cheap) tricks to entertain their faithful followers. An upcoming tour to Europe will put Black and the IRS in front of strangers. This T-Dot crowd bid a fond adieu to the man who lives to bring the rawk back to the kids.

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: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Sure, Black is "fuckin'" this and "fuckin'" that with his between-song banter, but he is adamant on ensuring that typically apathetic Toronto crowds get into the rock 'n' roll spirit. On this evening he was rightfully dissing other NXNE showcase bands that go through the motions with minimal audience engagement. He was laying on his usual charm with people at the front of the stage ("when Robin 'Fuckin'' Black says, 'suck dick,' you ask, 'which Intergalactic Rockstar?'"). He told one heckler that he fucked the guy's girlfriend the night (and morning) before the show. Then he did the usual "Robin says" hand-signals to get people to applaud at various levels. It was nothing new for most of this crowd, but it was nonetheless engaging.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Black and the IRS's glam sound is trashy, flashy and executed flawlessly. There are no real killer hooks ("So Sick Of You" is about as catchy as he gets) but the tunes do display plenty of chutzpah.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Black's crafted a cut-and-paste persona that's equal parts pre-fabricated punk, goth and glam-rocker. He may look like a radical rock 'n' roll rebel to the untrained eye, but he's just really a glitzy pitch man for a fun and hedonistic brand of rock music. His bark may be harder than his bite, but it's still entertaining to hear.