Amit @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: While Amit is the name of one man, his five-person backup band filled the Sneaky Dee's stage and included a trombone player and a backup singer. Not to make too big a deal of this, but it is nice to see an ethnically and sexually heterogonous band in what is still a scene dominated by white dudes.

Grade: 65

Comment:Amit — pronounced either "a mitt" or "a meat" depending on your accent — introduced himself and his band to the good ol' "menomena" song from The Muppet Show. There's nothing wrong with loving the Muppets. Sadly, this intro would prove to be one of the set's highlights. It seemed like Amit was going for a fun, varied, crowd-pleasing show, but looking at the broomstick spines worn by the audience it was clear he missed his mark. He invited his young female fans to dance onstage for the last number, which seemed like a good way to create some energy and go out with a bang, but the move backfired when it scarcely left anyone in the audience to cheer.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Maybe it was because he had a rat-tail, but something about Amit's on-stage gyration felt forced and even a little sleazy. He came off like a lounge singer playing for tips in a hotel by the airport. If only his pipes held up to this image. Alas, Amit's vocals lacked even the creepy sex of a bad crooner. They were merely inoffensive, instead.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
It's probably a safe bet that you could count the number of trombone solos performed at NXNE 2008 on one hand. One of them came courtesy of Amit's stage band. Sadly, the band left the stage for the middle of the set leaving Amit alone with an electric piano. This was a huge mistake. He needed the genre-jumping prowess of his players to back up his ineffective stage persona 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Triple high-fives for the thick-rimmed specs Amit wore. Quadruple thumbs down for his inability to quiet the talkative crowd. It's never easy to get an NXNE audience to pay attention, but when people directly in front of the speakers won't shut up and pay attention the man on stage has to shoulder the blame. Also, need I mention the rat-tail again?