Chad VanGaalen @ CMW 2009

Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Mar 12 2009

Scott Bryson (CHARTattack)

03/13/2009 1:18pm

Background/Composition:
In a very short time, and with just three albums, Chad VanGaalen has become a veritable indie rock legend. His reputation as a songwriter is overshadowed only by stories of his propensity to hide out in his basement studio for months on end.

Grade: 90

Comment:
I once saw VanGaalen play as a one-man band, working drums, a guitar and a number of other trinkets all at the same time. While that performance was entertaining in its own way, the VanGaalen full-band experience is a much more powerful spectacle. The Horseshoe was as packed full of people as it had been at any other time of the night.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
VanGaalen has said before that he doesn't consider himself a performer and it's not hard to see what he meant. When he was playing, he did a fine job, but there was a lot of between-song set-up. He did try to chat with the crowd during these lulls, but never once looked up from his instrument or the floor. As far as the patrons were concerned, when you make albums as good as his, a confused stage presence is forgivable.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
"Molten Light" is a horrendously disturbing tune, but the crowd ate it up; VanGaalen has a way of making morbidity sound sweet. The louder songs from his discs were literally explosive in person. He had some sort of effect on his guitar that was giving it an incredibly delightful crunch. Somewhere inside Chad VanGaalen — somewhere deep inside — there's a rock star just itching to get out.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Where does he get those wonderful toys? VanGaalen's instrument of choice for the night was his distinctive Steinberger guitar. He also briefly broke out the harmonica and banjo. After his set was through, it became patently obvious that most of the Horseshoe's patrons had been there to see him, since the place was practically empty within five minutes.