NXNE 2012 Live Reviews: Max Burgundy Raps, Teenanger Rocks and Silken Laumann Dances on June 13

So NXNE 2012 has officially kicked off and we now begin the long, slow, doom metal-style trudge to witness hundreds of alternatingly awesome and awful bands who've descended on Toronto, Ontario.

The marquee event, of course, is Spinner's own free super-show at Yonge-Dundas Square featuring mega-weirdoes Flaming Lips, Of Montreal, Hollerado and a pile of others.

There'll be far more than just our own event, though. The day BBQs and parties are always fun. If the amount of bands to see feels overwhelming, just consult our best bets list for guidance. Although be forewarned, The Man already came down on one event we thought would be great.

Spinner has mobilized a small army to provide blanket NXNE coverage throughout the week, so check back at our NXNE headquarters every day and follow us on Twitter for constant updatery.

As such, some of our reporters got an early jump on band-watching last night. Here's what they saw:

Max Burgundy
A Bronx, NY native, Max Burgundy wasn't fazed in the slightest when he was told his slot at The Crawford would be pushed back to accommodate some of the acts orphaned due to the Rich Kidd showcase cancellation. The half-Puerto Rican rapper delivered an emotionally wrought set that reflected on hard times growing up with alcoholic parents, cynical views on Internet privacy, and fantasizing over doing it with girls at the Museum of Modern Art. Songs borrowed bars from '90s acts like No Doubt and the Cranberries, which ably reflected his new mix CD, The Death of Mark Fuhrman. It seems he knew Spinner might be in the building as he shouted out, "AOL! A/S/L?", yet another reference to pre-millennium glory. -- Jesse Ship

Silken Laumann
When the Acorn's Rolf Klausener isn't Acorn-ing, he's making upbeat, sweaty dance rock with Ottawa's Silken Laumann. And though they're named for a Canadian Olympic rower, Silken ain't no gimmick band. "I listened to dance and hip-hop before I started playing guitar, so really it's just me going back to my musical roots," said Klausener. "It's an extension of what I love, it's dear to my heart." Silken's songs were good, and best when their dance rock didn't half-morph into jam band territory. Their consistently good rhythms gave those with the temerity to dance ample reason to sweat their cares away. So why the moniker? "It's an awesome name," exclaimed Klausener. And how. -- Dave Jaffer

Teenanger
Every so often a local band seems set on proving that no, punk is in fact not dead. In Toronto these days, that band is Teenanger, who last night epitomized the "less talk, more rock" approach by delivering a spirited, high-energy, low-on-banter set that suited the Garrison faithful just fine. Fuzzy, shouty, sharp and abrasive were a given, but so too were moments that Melissa Ball's stalwart, meaty basslines carried the band's whip-smart songs across the stage. You know when a steak has just enough gristle to remind you that what you're eating used to be alive? Teenanger's garage punk is like that. It's vital. It's got blood in it. -- Dave Jaffer



View The Flaming Lips & Fwends NXNE 2012 Gallery