Afterhours @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Not much is known about these Italian transfer students except that The Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli produced their North American debut. Definitely a good starting point, but considering Mr. Dulli’s truant tendencies, best to keep a close eye on Afterhours at all times, (i.e. no hall passes).

Grade: 86

Comment: Afterhours were dramatic, loud, difficult, loud, experimental, unique and loud. They were also rather loud and that’s not a bad thing because it worked to their shape-shifting advantage. Heavy on dynamics and unexpectedly captivating, Afterhours are probably more engaging than they are good, and since they're really good, that means they're extremely engaging.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Considering Afterhours are not from these parts, they did a fantastic job of making themselves heard in a base, primal fashion. Six members strong and featuring unique instruments such as an electric violin and some weird device that looked like a modified tenor sax, the band tore through a dozen or so songs with a lot of poise and polish. As mentioned, it was extremely loud, but never gratuitously so. These guys know what they’re doing and appeared wholly in command of the stage. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Pretty much every other song sounded like Nick Cave’s “Loverman” and the band leaned heavily on the loud/quiet thing at times. However, they also mixed it up with a few decidedly obscure tunes that actually recalled the whimsical stylings of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. They have solid songwriting on the whole, and that even includes the first number, which was an extremely strange, tuneless mess. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Afterhours’ singer Manuel Agnelli bore a strong resemblance to Carl Barat from The Libertines, while their other singer looked like the curly-haired dude from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and yet another bandmate was clearly a disciple of Interpol’s Carlos D. They are definitely one of the more fashionable bands to play this year's NXNE and rocked the all-black like it was nobody’s business. And on a totally unrelated note, the singer did a really cool microphone trick early on where he swung the mic around in a quasi-circular fashion, almost as if he was wielding nunchucks.