NXNE: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Written by: Corey Allen
Date: August 6, 2009

OH NO FOREST FIRES @ THE DRAKE UNDERGROUND 06.18.09

After the rain cleared and everyone had begun to work off their hangover from the night before at the opening party at the Berkley Church and the Arts & Crafts showcase, NXNE got under way on Thursday night.

Oh No Forest Fires, a local Toronto band who released their first full-length, The War on Geometry, last November, played to a small but growing crowd at the Drake Underground.

The quartet’s performance was jumpy and front man Rajiv Thavanathan, whose face is covered by long black bangs, entertained the Queen West crowd with a catchy voice and a look that rivals Cousin It.

The college-boy-next-door band has received high praise from music insiders, but their sound and performance lacked direction and polish. Brock Swanek, who plays guitar and back-up vocals, appeared bored throughout most of the show and out of synch with his fellow bandmates. After working through some technical difficulties, Thavanathan brought much needed energy to the live performance but their sound fell flat and indistinguishable as an up-and-coming outfit.

Oh No Forest Fires is a little Moneen and a little Coheed and Cambria. The band started as a basement project and The War on Geometry was recorded in Moneen’s Kenny Bridges’ basement. However, without a more unique sound and compelling live show, Oh No Forest Fires may never make it out of the basement environment that they`ve been born out of, to see the light of national success. Check out “Swing and a Misdemeanor,” to hear the boys at their best.

NATALIE PORTMANS SHAVED HEAD @ EL MOCAMBO 06.18.09 Over at the El Mocambo, it wouldn’t be NXNE without a dance party. And a band who gets its name from the hairstyle of a revered Hollywood actress did just that.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, who also played NXNE older, cooler cousin SXSW, packed the El Mocambo with fans ready to get down and sweat. The band drove 10 hours to play in Toronto and tonight-s performance marks their third time in the city.

The five-piece, Perez Hilton-approved band hails from Seattle, Washington and has been on tour with the likes of The Go Team and Lily Allen. Their set at the El Mo is a no-holds-barred dance-a-thon. Most of their songs are frivolous and silly, perfect for the American Apparel-clad, MySpace photography crowd. Despite such clichés, NPSH is a fun release from some of the more serious bands at the festival.

One concertgoer near the front of the stage is in crutches, but even they can't resist the dance fever by pumping one of their crutches into the air halfway through Iceage Babeland.

Where the band really pops is when Claire England takes the reigns as lead singer with their hit Sophisticated Side Ponytail. England is usually stuck behind keyboards, but during this song, she's front and center outperforming her two fresh faced, kindergarten crush-worthy counterparts. NPSHs sound and look is oversaturated and their flavour of electro is at times so sugary that it may induce vomiting. But what they lack in authenticity as a band, they make up for in producing unadulterated fun. NPSH has one mission as a band and it's for you to shake your ass at their show. Tonight at NXNE? Mission accomplished.

THESE ARE POWERS @ SNEAKY DEEÈS 06.18.09 And as You Say Party! We Say Die! took to the stage at the El Mocambo, These Are Powers played to a small but dedicated crowd at Sneaky Dee's (it may or may not have had something to do with the steep $15 cover charge).

The experimental rock group from New York, who released their third album All Aboard Future this year, are a band to watch.

The band's noise rock sound is an eclectic mix of scratchy punk and electronic rock music that will have any music lover experiencing a mash-up tizzy. The comparisons to M.I.A. and Santogold are obvious, but front woman Anna Barie is a force of her own, possessing a certain swagger and Brooklyn attitude that makes her captivating to watch.

TAP puts on a gritty live show with Barie donning a one-piece jumpsuit and gold cape for tonight's set. At times, These Are Powers produce a sound that is out of this world that has an alien-crashing-to-Earth like quality to it. With a sound that's innovative and a leading lady who takes no prisoners, could this band be any cooler?

If you aren't listening to These Are Powers, we've got a problem.