Will Currie & The Country French @ CMW 2009

El Mocambo

Toronto, ON

on Mar 13 2009

Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

03/14/2009 11:45am

Background / Composition:
This group of Wilfrid Laurier University music students were signed by Sloan's Jay Ferguson to the band's Murderecords last year and released an EP, A Great Stage. They're now working on a follow-up and are easily one of the country's best young bands.

Grade: 85

Comment:
Even if this band didn't count Sloan among their friends, they would still probably be considered one of the country's best emerging acts. I last saw these guys at the Over The Top festival in May and thought they were tight and great musicians then. They've gotten even better since.

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: E
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: S

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Will Currie And The Country French spent Wednesday and Thursday night at the Mod Club opening for Sloan, which led Currie to tell the crowd the band were tired and had "that sour Amanda Marshall thing" in their voices. But you couldn't hear it and you wouldn't have noticed. The band were nearly spot on, save for a minor mishap where Currie's keyboard was accidentally set to its clavichord setting throughout his first song, which he didn't realize. He later turned it into an amusing quip about Stevie Wonder. The set was full of great banter, and at one point, Currie even made a joke to back-up singer/saxophonist Amanda Currie about Meat Loaf's connection to the El Mo. "Amanda, just think; Meat Loaf probably had a heart attack right where you're standing," he quipped, to laughter from the whole audience.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Although the sextet don't really move around on stage, they make up for that with their energy. Currie rocked back and forth at his keyboard throughout the night and at times resembled Jerry Lee Lewis when he threw his head back, stomped around and at one point, stood up to slam his fingers back down on his keyboard. Guitarist Dan Beacock's work was excellent, as were several bass solos from Dan MacPherson. Live, their playing is just as polished as on record.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
It's clear from their live set (and their EP) that Will Currie And The Country French have a really bright future ahead of them. Though Currie is clearly the centrepiece of this band, there's no shortage of talent throughout this bunch. It'll be great to hear what they will put down on their first LP, which comes out in August.