DD/MM/YYYY @ NXNE 2009

Background/ Composition:
They don't care how you pronounce their name ("Day Month Year" seems to be the prevailing method) but they do care whether or not you join their frenetic ride. These five Toronto lads like their music hard and fast.

Grade: 90

Comment:
DD/MM/YYYY brought a huge pile of red, helium-filled balloons to the stage with them and played around it like it was the obelisk from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's not clear if it was there for anything more than decoration, but it was pretty mesmerizing.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Cordiality is an afterthought for these guys, but it suits their aesthetic. One of the band's members sent out a "Fuck you!" to an unnamed journalist who suggested they might be tiring after their recent batch of touring.

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:
Tomas Del Balso's singing ability is suspect, but for this sort of music it isn't a fatal flaw (though the set's best songs were the instrumental, Holy Fuck-like ones). DD/MM/YYYY are in this for the punishment — the wailing guitars, unrelenting pace and ear-piercing screams. Their tandem drumming was superb.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
It's a little surprising that no one was moshing. The stagefront must have still been filled with the fey youth that had been there to see previous act, Woodpigeon.