Beast @ NXNE 2008

Supermarket

Toronto, ON

on Jun 13 2008

Evan Dickson (CHARTattack)

06/14/2008 2:30pm

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: About a year ago, composer Jean-Phi Goncalves hooked up with singer Betty Bonifassi (who leant her voice to the outstanding Triplettes of Belleville soundtrack in 2004). We are now beginning to reap the benefits of this marriage between gruff beats and sexy vocals.

Grade: 100

Comment: Beast could have been at a coliseum instead of Supermarket. Even on the second night I feel perfectly comfortable declaring them the find of the fest. Tough shit if you missed it. You'll have a couple more chances — if you're lucky — to see this band in a room with less than 200 people. Watching Beast right now is like looking at a rocket with a lit fuse. If you blink it'll be gone and you'll be breathing smoke.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Besides having a poetically alliterated name, Betty Bonifassi has an extraordinary voice that's both seductive and powerful. When she wasn't bellowing like a diva in a packed opera house, she could spit rhymes like a rapper pumping up a house party. She knew how to work the crowd, too, and leaned out over the audience like a bowsprit figurehead leading a tall ship to the new world.

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: 
The heavy beats and dark guitar buzz hit the room like an uppercut: lights out. Yer seein' stars, kid. Goncalves's compositions were flawless. Funky grooves blended with ecstatic gospel choruses. Hard-driving dance vibes gave way to moments of such dramatic beauty that my mouth was agape. I struggled to think of how to describe what I was hearing, but any words were burned out of my mind by the white hot intensity of it all. I heard a breathy voice next to me say, "wow," but when I turned around nobody was there.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
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: 
Beast with the gold medal for coolest hear. The bassist had a micro keyboard attached to his instrument like some kind of makeshift key-bass. Drummer/composer Goncalves had a laptop rigged up with his drum kit. The high tech, jury rigged equipment plus the slick black clothes leant the band a cyberpunk edge.