The Danks @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: This quartet from Charlottetown stole a member from Two Hours Traffic. THT guitarist Alec O’Hanley plays with vocalist Brohan Moore, drummer Phil MacIsaac and bassist Chris Doiron in this pop-rock group.

Grade: 94

Comment: When The Danks first took the stage and powered through two energetic rock songs, I groaned because I feared that they sounded too much like Two Hours Traffic. But those songs passed and these kids proved they may look more like a young pop band, but they rock harder than THT.

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: S
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: S
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
There wasn’t too much banter to go around and the members didn’t attempt to talk to each other or the crowd very often, but they made a solid effort on trying to make eye contact with some of the audience. They were rockin’ out pretty hard, but if they pushed it just one more decibel and got the crowd moving just a little bit more, they would have killed it.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
While Moore was lightning fast at strumming and haunting with his facial expressions, O’Hanley was sweet looking, hard working, and possibly daydreaming a bit. MacIssac and THT bassist Andrew MacDonald were the beat of the set that steadily progressed with each song. They coped with the remains of an audience that poured out after Two Hours Traffic, but caught a lot of attention. To add hilarity, add a heap of drunk musicians from the opening bands putting their all into singing along right in the front. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
Moore is bound to be the next lead man everyone swoons over. Not only does he dress like he wishes he was in The Strokes, but he sings with a sometimes-raspy voice and could entertain the audience just by his facial expressions. The Danks had a lot of energy to go around for 1 a.m., which definitely worked for them. They have visible spunk and look like they could have been your best friends from high school, but as long as they aim to distance themselves just a inch more from Two Hours Traffic, these pop-rock days are just beginning.