Adam & Dave's Bloodline @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Philadelphians Adam Garbinski (vocals, guitar) and Dave Peterson (vocals, guitar) recruited Brian Newell (drums) and Kirk Henderson (bass, keyboards) to fill out their home recording project.

Grade: 72

Comment: Adam and Dave's Bloodline took the stage right around the time I started to feel sorry for everybody at the Kathedral. I mean everybody: the bands, the bartenders, the festival volunteers, even myself. Notice I didn't include the audience in that list. Those five people were in that giant, echoing room by choice. Adam and Dave were professional under these circumstances, but they seemed like they just wanted to get through their 40 minutes. I can't say I blame them.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The lighting on stage was pretty shitty overall and it was specifically ill-suited to a band with two frontmen. Peterson got all the light, even though Garbinski did a lot of the lead vocals. This wasn't really their fault, though they might have found better places to sound. Adam and Dave both sounded great on the mics. Their upper register pop voices complemented each other.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
I was psyched to see this band. Their MySpace tracks were a big part of why I wanted to cover the Kathedral on this night. Naturally, their live show was different from their recordings. I had fallen for their quiet and quirky electric pop tracks, but in person I was presented with a much louder, up-tempo wall of sound. It wasn't a big surprise and the more aggressive live set had its own merits. Still, I felt they lacked the same personality I heard online, becoming a more average band on stage.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The Philadelphians looked fashionable without seeming too put together. I didn't love Peterson's floppy emo Mohawk, but that's really a personal taste issue. I need to mention Henderson here. He was not a tall man and he looked especially small holding his great bass guitar. It was like they had a hobbit in the band.