Possibly the most hyped show of the CMW weekend, the Chart showcase at The Horseshoe Tavern featured a bevy of critically acclaimed up-and-comers and noisy rabble-rousers.

With a hefty write-up in the Toronto papers and a growing insider buzz, Tangiers set of mopey indie rock was unimpressive. With little stage presence and little to say, Tangier's set drifted over the heads of sardine wedged audience members. The indie papers think highly of Tangiers, but why? Their set was boring and insipid lacking both character and song quality. Boring.

Filing in after the memorable Tangiers were CMW veterans Bionic.

Bionic is not just loud, they are real loud. Compared to the dozy Tangiers, the shift in sound to Bionic's full-throttle explosion was an epiphany for those who made their way to the back of the Horseshoe for the ominous change in pace.

Bionic's 5th CMW set in band history rocked the upper reaches of the Richter scale - no matter where you went in the venue it was ear shattering. A maniac version of ZZ Top, Bionic ripped apart the Horseshoe with furious bursts of guitars and pounding rhythm mimicking a junkyard dog in both persona and style.

Looking to give Bionic a run for their money in the loud department, Cheerleader plugged in their guitars, tuned their drums, and waited for their cue to start.

Cheerleader, Canada's incorrect answer to Motorhead had a tough reputation to follow this evening - thiers. Magazines, A&R reps from Roadrunner, and anybody in a local band of any merit who wasn't playing that night came out to see what could possibly be the next big band out of Toronto.

Opening with an energy that should be illegal for only four people, Cheerleader got into the audience's pants within the first notes of their set. Vicious backing vocals, great songs, and excellent timing make Cheerleader a band that is not only in synch with themselves but also the musical decadence they claim as influences.

Mullets, head banging, and assorted variations of fist shaking rebelled on the Horseshoe's checkerboard floor as Cheerleader plowed through "Runaway", "Do You Wanna Go" and "Don't Call Me Baby, Baby". Bassist Ethan Cawke worked the stage with his bitchy attitude while his partner-in-crime, Cobra, tackled the vocals and collapsed into rock 'n' roll revelry with his guitar.

The guest appearance at the end of Cheerleader's set from an Iggy Pop wannabe, however, was just sad and on par with the American Idol audition tapes. Cheerleader, nonetheless, kept their cool by playing steadily in the backround, despite the hilarity of this impromptu performance.

For those who braved the long lines outside, though, Cheerleader's drunken friend was a minor disappointment and the guys in Cheerleader could have made a stronger overall impression had they just sticked to the goods and left buddy at home.