The Novaks @ CMW 2009

Lee’s Palace

Toronto, ON

on Mar 12 2009

Travis Persaud (CHARTattack)

03/13/2009 1:50pm

Background/Composition:
The Novaks are a three-piece garage rock band from St. John's, with heavy influences from '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll.

Grade: 79

Comment:
The Novaks unashamedly played their bar-friendly, straight-ahead rock. Lead singer Mick Davis summoned the attitude and charisma of Mick Jagger as he drew everyone into his bluesy guitar solos and his talk/yell/sing style, borrowing an element of Constantines' Bryan Webb’s gruff voice. The Novaks added their own stylizing to a sound heard many times over to make it entertaining without being redundant.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Davis never let his eyes off the crowd as he sung, and when he stepped away from the mic for one of his many guitar solos, he crept to the front of the stage or sashayed back and forth, always leaving an element of, "What will he do next?" hanging in the crowd. However, bassist Mark Neary seemed to be Davis’ antithesis. His playing was precise and quite inventive at times, but man, did he look bored.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Davis kept the rock coming, but drummer Elliot Davis kept the band going. He was the steam engine that kept moving the train further and faster. His energy was unparalleled, often flailing his arms in the air to keep silent beats, before dropping them down on his kit. He didn’t need anything, other than himself, to get keyed up and that really helped propel the band through the set.

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: S
Cool Equipment: S
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Showing off one of their true influences, The Novaks ended their set with a cover of Eddie Cochran's "Something Else." It was nice to hear Davis share — albeit very quickly — about Cochran's inspiration on the band and himself. More moments like these would have certainly heightened the impact of their show.