Miss Derringer @ NXNE 2008

Lee's Palace

Toronto, ON

on Jun 14 2008

Sarah Kurchak (CHARTattack)

06/16/2008 1:30pm

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Miss Derringer are four dapper looking gentlemen with matching uniforms and armbands and one tiny, adorable woman in one hell of a costume. They play a mix of rockabilly, old country and classic girl group pop.

Grade: 70

Comment: Miss Derringer certainly have the makings of a great band. They’ve got a fantastic look, an excellent mix of musical influences and a lot of personality, but it just didn’t click somehow. A lot of the trouble lies in singer Liz McGrath. She's extremely charismatic and cute as a button, but her voice and presence were inconsistent at best and just not enough to carry the show.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Some of McGrath's more stylized dance moves were distracting in an otherwise assured performance. Whether she was tentative, shy or just not feeling it, her hesitation added a weird element to the show that made her look more like a child in a pageant mimicking dance moves choreographed by her stage mother than assured, rocking woman she should be.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The same hesitation was often evident in McGrath’s singing. Her vocals were often just a little too quiet to give the music the impact it should have had. Hopefully, she’ll be able to gain more confidence and get a bit louder in the future, because when she really put her heart into it, as she did as the wailing woman done wrong in one of the band’s dark country duets, she sounded pretty damn great.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Miss Derringer don’t need any help when it comes to their style. Other than a pair of disturbingly long and fuzzy sideburns, the guys looked good and McGrath's outfit was a thing of wonder. With black tights, a formfitting red bodysuit complete with elaborate buttons and a collar, long, stylized black gloves and a tiny top hat perched above her bleach blonde hair, she looked like a old Western barmaid gone goth. Somehow, she managed to pull it off beautifully.