Peter Katz And The Curious @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Known for winning a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award and taking the Grand Prize at one of Toronto’s Indie Weeks, Peter Katz and his backing band of three combine rock, jazz, and folk, but it’s all soul when it comes to their live shows.

Grade: 90

Comment: This showcase was empty until five minutes before they played. Katz is an excellent frontman and seemed to beam at every single person in the audience, becoming this class’s crooner for the new age. Katz and the Curious are continually improving and will soon be like that bowl of chicken soup when you’re sick which makes you feel all tingly inside.

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: G
Pronunciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: G
Image: E
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Katz is like the kid in school everyone can talk to. In fact, someone did, and asked Katz to relay a message to the crowd, to let a guy know his girlfriend was waiting outside. Katz probably knows most of his audience well, since they seemed to be old friends. This made it easy for him to talk to his audience, too.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
These guys know how to play. They also proved they jive together well with songs layered in soulful harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. If Peter Katz And The Curious were a class project, they would get top marks.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
If there’s anyone who can play with ease, love the crowd, strap a smile on, and pay attention to their music all at the same time with no visible struggles, it’s these guys. They also get bonus marks for inviting Toronto singer Melissa McClelland on stage to sing along.