Fire Bug @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Fire Bug hail from Los Angeles, but don't kid yourself — these guys ain't graduates of West Beverly High. They are actually self-proclaimed MySpace sensations with a unique approach to modern rock and have a thing for '70s hard rock. Not a bad formula on paper, but does the blend work in reality?

Grade: 68

Comment: I was hoping I could say that Fire Bug were clearly "the bee's knees" during NXNE, but sadly, that wasn't the case. They were merely average with a sound that's been heard hundreds of times before on modern rock radio and they did very little to distinguish themselves. Even the band's name doesn't really inspire a lot of confidence and unless something changes, it would be hard to imagine Fire Bug achieve anything beyond a gnat's eye view. For their sake, I hope they prove me wrong because they seem like good people, if nothing else.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Fire Bug seemed a bit tentative on stage, which may have been influenced by the fact that they were using rented equipment for the gig. The singer kept dropping picks (or something) and appeared to be in constant struggle with her guitar. Otherwise, the band didn't possess much in the way of natural charisma or stage presence. They resembled one of those female-fronted bands that appeared out of nowhere during the post-grunge explosion, like Eve's Plum or Mary's Danish. Since it's no longer 1993, that's probably not a good thing. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Fire Bug's music isn't bad. It has a bit of an earthy quality to it and recalls 10,000 Maniacs or Throwing Muses at times. The songs would no doubt appeal to introspective 16-year-old suburban white girls and overall, the band manages to sound pretty timeless, which is a tough act to pull off. Unfortunately, Fire Bug seem unable to translate their music into something that is compelling in a live setting, or at least at a venue like the Hard Rock Café. A coffee house or small theatre would probably have been a better fit. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
Fire Bug's singer has Ani DiFranco's hair and Suzanne Vega's face. It was weird. She also had some really cool boots, the likes of which I've never seen on stage before. They were light brown and tall and probably made of crushed velvet. She definitely looked like a rocker (or a folkie), which I suppose is half the battle.