Morning Electric @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: They're a bluesy rock five-piece with style and swagger to spare.

Grade: 85

Comment: These locals had pretty much the full package — cool looking guys, cool sounding tunes, and a general all-around (you guessed it) coolness. Their music got a bit same-y after a while, but if you've got a good formula, it's hard to mess with it.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The band members didn't look much like a cohesive whole style-wise. The frontman was the definite standout with his mohawk, lip piercing and fierce tambourine wielding. This didn't take away anything from Nardwuar's less nerdy brother on guitar, though. In some weird way, their eclectic personal styles matched up well with the groovy rock they played for an appreciative house.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
It took Morning Electric a bit of time to win over the crowd, but once they had attention, they commanded it. Their music sounded like Motown taking on garage rock in a dirty alley knife fight, and having a capable drummer to lay down some rad backbeats was a definite bonus. Heads were turned, even if they were by people just on their way out the door for a cigarette.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Showing off rockabilly western shirts, leather jackets, tattoos and piercings, this motley crew has definitely been on a few trips through Kensington Market. But when they showed off their softer sides by making their last song a bouncy acoustic-driven tune, it was a coda that left smiles throughout the crowd. Good job. Just stop worrying about the constant name errors (OK, we get it, there's no "The" in your band name).