Run With The Kittens @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Run With The Kittens are every bit as odd as their band name suggests. Mixing everything from lounge to power-metal to stand-up comedy, this Toronto quartet is one of the most entertaining live acts I have ever seen.

Grade: 92

Comment: This is by far the highest grade I have given out all weekend - and boy do these guys deserve it. This isn’t even about the music: Run With The Kittens get an A+ for inducing tears of laughter on more than one occasion in a 50 minute set. Simply brilliant.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Frontman Nate Mills (who stands at about five-foot-three) came out eight minutes before the set was scheduled to start “just to talk.” And talk he did. The way people were laughing, you would have thought you were watching a stand-up comedy act. The good times didn’t stop until the band wrapped up. From praying mantis poses to John Travolta dance moves, Mills and his pristine white suit kept the entire audience in stitches. Even guitarist James Robertson couldn’t keep a straight face.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Run With The Kittens take genres, light them on fire and then piss on the ashes. I have no idea how to classify these guys. They switch manically from guttural punk-rock to “lounge-core” (Mills claims the hilarious genre will be big in 15 to 20 years). They even did a near-metal cover of Wham!’s “Jitterbug,” and every song had some ridiculous line that caused the audience to erupt into laughter. I am convinced they have real musical talent, but their performance is marked by such complete and utter reckless abandon that the music doesn’t even matter.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
My favourite part of this incredible set was when the band manager brought four beers over to the stage. The band stopped what they were doing, each took a swig simultaneously and then continued headlong into the song without missing a note. And here’s my shameless plug: If you get a chance to see these guys any time soon, do it! They play every Tuesday night at Toronto's Cameron House.