You wouldn’t know it from their sports-centric name, but relatively
new Portland band Hockey represents the shimmering cutting edge of the
local all-ages dance party scene. The band, which not that long ago
swelled from two members to four, recently released Mind Chaos,
which utilizes the bare bones hipster funk of Jamie Lidelll alongside
the hook-heavy pop charm of the Cars. The result is enough
keyboard-induced friction to bring even the most tame basement show
down in a wave of flames. The band collectively took a moment to talk
about their rambling past, their Portland future, and what it’s like to
be un-Google-able.
MERCURY: What brought upon the move from Spokane to
Portland? And prior to that, was there a reason to move the band from
Los Angeles to Spokane?
HOCKEY: Spokane treated us well while we were there but it seemed
like we exhausted what the city had to offer before we could even
get settled. Anyone that’s ever been there would probably agree that it
isn’t the best place for aspiring musicians and artists. However, aside
from our run-ins with bike thieves and fundamentalist Christians, we
really miss the place.
Before that, the band was a two-piece in Los Angeles. After playing
a lot of shows, signing a development deal with Columbia, and recording
with Jerry Harrison [keyboardist for Talking Heads], we decided that we
weren’t happy with the way things were going and wanted to go somewhere
to regroup (literally, becoming a four-piece) and catch our breath.
Bands seldom relocate together, and rarely do they ever do it
multiple times. Has it been difficult to establish roots in the
Portland scene?
For the first six months, we were recording an album, adding a
guitarist, and trying to self-actualize as a band. As far
as playing shows and getting local exposure, no, we haven’t really
begun to establish any kind of roots in Portland. I think having
finished the album and coalescing as a band, we are going to start
setting our sights on playing a lot more shows and getting our name out
there. We’ve also met a lot of wonderful people in the scene that have
offered to help us get on our feet.
Do you have a live show in particular that is a favorite of the
band?
Just last week we played a show with Japanther at an
all-ages house venue called the Coop in North Portland. The show
was incredible and it was just an overall beautiful experience. Kids
have a way of living in the moment and not giving a fuck.
Is it hard to have a band name that is un-Google-able?
One of the many things that the internet has done to music is
demystify musicians and artists. It used to be that if you were curious
about a band you would have to go see them for yourself. We would like
to maintain a sliver of that mystique.
Hockey perform at Slabtown on Friday, June 13.