Hollerado @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION:
Hollerado are four nice, young men who play cute and catchy alternative pop/rock about love, life and some vaguely cowboy-ish stories about their fictional home, which carries the same moniker as their band. They’re kind of like Canada’s answer to The Refreshments’ first album, but cooler and with more music nerd cred.

GRADE: 82

Comment:
These kids might really be on to something here. Hollerado's music is fun and hook-heavy without being too cloying or obvious and has the potential to score commercial and critical success. Plus, Kid in the Hall Dave Foley called them one of the best bands he’s heard in a long time when he introduced them. The Thirty Helens — and Canadian music fans — will probably agree with him.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Even if Hollerado had sucked, they would have received a good grade for their end of set antics. For the last song, singer Menno Versteeg played a guitar that he claimed was the original guitar in Wayne’s World (before Fender made their big product placement coup and had the filmmakers turn the ideal guitar into a strat) and was autographed by Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey. At the end of the song, Dave Foley promptly jumped on stage and smashed it. Whether this was some sort of statement on Canadian comedy or just a silly stunt, it was pretty awesome. The fact that it came after an already entertaining set made it even better.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Hollerado’s catchy, playful tunes are almost as infectious as the energy and enthusiasm with which they play them. The band certainly know how to show their audience — and themselves — a good time.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The one piece missing from the puzzle of Hollerado domination might be fashion. There’s no need for them to dress up or pay any attention to disposable trends if they’re not into that kind of thing, but they could stand to at least iron their t-shirts. Dressed in clothes that had probably been stuffed into their bags the night before, the boys of Hollerado looked a little too much like they’d just wandered in off the street. The sloppy look was incongruous with an otherwise pretty slick presentation and it was distracting.