Scouts Honor @ NXNE 2008

Kathedral

Toronto, ON

on Jun 14 2008

Evan Dickson (CHARTattack)

06/16/2008 11:30am

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: This Chicago hardcore/southern rock/metal trio showed the tiny Kathedral crowd just how loud an empty room can get.

Grade: 79

Comment: The Kathedral was so dead and I was so bored by the time Scouts Honor came on that they actually startled me awake when drummer David Dobbs pounded out his first kick beat. I wanted that. I wanted to be woken up by something vicious, something that made sense to experience in an empty cave, because it was so primal. After the first song, the seven audience members were pulled to the stage. Scouts Honor refused to be ignored.

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: G
Stage Banter: N
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Bassist Ernesto Castillo had an impressive scream. Vocalist/guitarist Jared Grabb's growl led the way, but Castillo's shriek scorched the air. Grabb's bland stage talk was the exact opposite of his music. He stuck to the tunes for the most part, but when he had something to say he spoke with all the verve of Ben Stein about his bands tour experiences. Even a story about drug-sniffing dogs fell completely flat.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
I could feel my ribs rattle from Scouts Honor's hardcore onslaught. Grabb shredded with the aid of a blues slide for a layer of dirty southern rock under all the pounding metal. Castillo worked the lower register like a grave digger. His bass was so heavy it was underground. I think I already mentioned that Dobbs actually scared me with his drums.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
There is nothing sexy or fashionable about Scouts Honor, nor should there be. Sweat is their chic and their substitute for lust is screaming rage. Even the shirtless Dobbs looked too much like a spastic, sweaty zombie to be considered a sex symbol. He barely seemed human at times.