Junior Pantherz @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: They're an adorable-looking four piece (guitar, bass, drums and keyboards) that play indie rock just a little harder than you’d expect from a band named after a Sloan song.

Grade: 75

Comment:There’s really nothing wrong with Junior Pantherz. They’ve got good songs and they play them well. They have plenty of stage presence and charm. There’s just something– some indescribably “it” factor or spark missing from the greater picture that prevents them from earning a higher mark, though. The band will always get some love, but it’s unlikely that they will ever have a breakthrough to a larger audience beyond their already loyal fanbase.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
In some ways, Junior Pantherz are lot like their namesake song: cute, pleasant and fairly catchy. Unfortunately, neither song nor band exactly standout . Now, if they changed their name to Snowsuit Sound, they might really be on to something. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Sonically, the band probably owe more to Thrush Hermit than Sloan. The songs off their latest release, Rejoice, Remain, have a Smart Bomb-esque quality to them and the live presentation of those songs is getting loud and hard enough to achieve an almost Clayton Park-level of rock. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
There was a bit of sartorial dissonance on stage. While siblings S.J. and Maygen Kardash got gussied up for the show, singer Terry Mattson and drummer Arnold Van Lambalgen III chose to go with the jeans and T-shirt look. It could have been nothing, but in light of the very different performance that the Kardash kids staged with their other band, The Blood Lines, later in the night, it almost seems like the foreshadowing of creative differences down the road.