SNFU @ CMW 2009

Background/Composition:
SNFU formed in Edmonton in 1981 and became one of Canada's top punk bands. They've broken up twice and gone through wholesale lineup changes since then, and singer Chi Pig is now the only original member.

Grade: 77

Comment:
Mr. Pig (real name Ken Chinn) has been doing this for a long time and knows how to work a crowd. His latest backing players — guitarist Ken Flemming, bassist Denis Nowoselski and drummer Shane Smith — are veterans of the punk game, too, and know how to keep the pace up while giving Pig room to do his stuff. This is old-school punk rawk.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
When Pig wasn't leaning over the front of the stage and getting in people's faces, he was swinging the microphone, kicking, hopping, jogging and crawling around the entire stage. Everyone up front seemed to know most of the lyrics and were frequently given the mic to shout out choruses, and moshing occasionally broke out behind them. Two skinheads were apparently too enthusiastic and were tossed out by security. Pig picked up three beer cans at the front of the stage and fired them against the back wall, which was a nice touch.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
There's not a lot of subtlety in SNFU's music. Melodies creep in more often than with some punk bands, but the key is being fast and loud. And the lout in the crowd who shouted, "Speed it up old man!" had no basis to do so because the tempo was fast and the volume was high. "Cheap Transistor Radio" and "This Is The End" stood out during the hour-long set that attracted both young and old punks. Things ended on a high note with my favourite SNFU song (excluding their great cover of Warren Zevon's "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"), "Cannibal Cafe," which even had me singing along.

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/Next Step:
While his bandmates were decked out in traditonal sneakers, jeans, T-shirts and lots of tattoos, Pig has dyed his long hair blonde and he wore shiny gold pants and a black shirt. He also accented his look by donning a series of masks, including a pig, chicken, some Star Trek: The Next Generation alien and some other scary face. He also used a long-haired pig hand puppet for one song. Pig mocked his small dick, but still shoved it or his ass in people's faces throughout the set.

I think I saw SNFU about 20 years ago but can't remember for sure. But now I can say that I definitely have, and there are no regrets about leaving a more hip and trendy option to catch them.