Infighter @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: The phrase "standard four-piece rock setup" increasingly seems to mean guitar, bass, drums and keyboard, instead of the rhythm section plus two guitars. Pop rockers Infighter clearly got that memo.

Grade: 69

Comment: Infighter are a music critics worst nightmare: a "good" band. It's easy to praise great bands and even easier to pan horrible ones. Even with mediocre bands you can talk about how middling they are. But what is there to say about a group that's 10 per cent better than mediocre, besides that they're "good"? Infighter's power pop and hard rock tunes were delivered in competent, but uninspiring fashion. I want to be optimistic here and say that with a really wild crowd the energy would have overtaken me and I would have loved it. I'd book Infighter for a Wednesday or Thursday gig and feel like I got a good deal. Under the right circumstances these guys can probably put on a powerful show, though I doubt they're able to do so without help.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Frontman Simeon Ross had a tendency to over-emote in his effort to rock the room. To my cynical eye his facial expressions looked more like Jim Carrey than Mick Jagger. His voice was fair; not amazing, but on key. Drummer Gail Thompson needed to project her backup harmonies more, especially since she was hidden in the shadows at the rear end of the stage.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Thompson impressed me with her drumming. She augmented her standard rock rhythms with some interesting fills. She didn't have to be Keith Moon crazy, but nor was she as boring as Meg White. The rest of the band was equally competent, but lacked Thompson's subtle flair. They sounded like a student band who are used to their friends going nuts for anything they do, and so they have never learned to impress strangers.

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: G
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Infighter took a page from the Hives' retro look book, appearing in matching black collared shirts and tight-legged jeans. The exception, of course, was Thompson, but she was hidden behind drums and shadows, so she could have been naked and I wouldnít know. I think that girls with blonde hair and 9-5 jobs would have found the dudes of Infighter sexy. They were clean cut and had noticeable pecs.