Les Handclaps @ CMW 2009

Background / Composition:
This Montreal band are composed of singer Lorraine Muller (who was previously in The Kingpins and Lo And The Magnetics), keyboardist/vocalist Daniel Saucier and guitarist/vocalist Hugo Clermont. They use a laptop for the drum tracks, but that's apparently about to change. They also have two women dancers who didn't make this gig.

Grade: 90

Comment:
Les Handclaps play a combination of '60s garage rock and modern electro-pop with lyrics sung primarily in French, but with some English, German and Spanish thrown in, too. I don't know if anyone else is doing what they do, and they do it very well.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
It's hard to give an assessment on pronunciation since most of what they sang wasn't in English, and my other language skills aren't nearly up to the standard that I'd like. There wasn't a lot of stage banter, but at least it was in English. But the group's conveyance of fun knows no linguistic barriers.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The language barrier again makes this difficult, but the smiling faces of everyone dancing in front of the stage was enough. There were occasional choreographed dance moves and a quasi-cover of The Rivieras' "California Sun" and a full-on cover of Technotronic's "Pump Up The Jam." The sixth song (sung in French) was introduced as being "very sexy." It was. A couple of French guys standing near me were shouting "plus chansons" at the end of their set. Even I know that meant "more songs."

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
If Muller wasn't wearing black nylons, her leather mini-skirt definitely would have exposed her cooch. She wore laced-up black boots while her bandmates wore black Doc Martens and white leather loafers. Muller kissed me after the show. Les Handclaps' debut album should be out in May and, if you're in Austin, Texas this week for the South By Southwest Music Festival, you can see them play (with their two dancers) at Beauty Bar with Slim Twig, The D'Urbervilles, Hollerado, Gentleman Reg and Boats on Saturday.