Spiral Beach @ NXNE 2009

Background/ Composition:
Made up of brothers Airick and Daniel Woodhead (on guitar/vocals and drums respectively), Maddy Wilde (keys/vocals) and Dorian Wolf (bass), Toronto's Spiral Beach have released three albums since 2005. A fourth is set to drop this year.

Grade: 95

Comment:
Despite being given the ominous 6 p.m. timeslot at Yonge-Dundas, Spiral Beach brought out a good-sized crowd of enthusiastic fans. The band's psychedelic dance rock is contagious — their B52's-meets-'80s-camp-horror vibe is refreshingly unique, and those who love it, really love it. The four-piece were both visually and aurally delicious.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Spiral Beach fully engaged the audience, leaving loyal fans and first timers alike satisfied. They were feeling the love and giving it right back to the crowd. They looked great in an oddball way, as always, although Airick Woodhead's choice to go without shoes was questionable. I don't know how his mother would feel about how much dirt you could see on the bottom of his socks when he lay on his back, feet in the air, playing all the while.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The band played a good mix of old and new songs. Their new ones were in the same vein as the dancier tracks from Ball and Voodoo, which made shaking your money maker easy. Even though Airick's guitar needed to be replugged partway through the set, the band played through the glitch like pros.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Watching Spiral Beach is like watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show. You don't know what it is, but it's somehow exactly what you've been looking for in a performance. You don't need liquor to enter the Spiral Beach dimension... just free your mind. Free your feet while you're at it — shoes are so last year.