The Coathangers @ NXNE 2009

Background/ Composition:
Julia Kugel (guitar, vocals), Stephanie Luke (drums, vocals), Candice Jones (keyboards, vocals), and Meredith Franco (bass, vocals) purchased the cheapest instruments they could find in an Atlanta pawn shop less than three years ago and have since released two full-lengths.

Grade: 69

Comment:
I had a beer with The Coathangers while watching an afternoon acoustic set by The Cynics in Austin, Texas at the South By Southwest Music Festival in March, but didn't stick around for their performance. But I'd heard a couple of songs online and there's supposed to be a bit of buzz around them, so I thought I'd check them out this time. They didn't meet my expectations.

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:
All four group members sing, but their voices were higher pitched and whinier live than on their recordings. The drummer was probably the best singer, which isn't a good sign. It was apparently Franco's birthday, but I have my doubts that she's 81 as one of her bandmates claimed.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The keyboard was too low in the mix. It was more noise rock than the garage rock I'd been anticipating, and my friend compared their sound to early Riot Grrrl band Heavens To Betsy. They still need to work on their songwriting.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The four women aren't hot, but neither are they ugly. Two wore skirts, two wore shorts and Kugel was sporting bunny ears (perhaps in honour of that stupid cartoon rabbit that NXNE has inexplicably adapted as its logo). Luke had a disturbing amount of bruises on her legs. The music was a bit annoying at times and it was hard to draw myself away from watching H.R. Pufnstuf on the Bovine's televisions above the bar. If you haven't discovered this surrealistic early '70s Saturday morning TV staple, do yourself a favour and find out more.