Hockey Dad are a great Power Pop duo from Australia as they hurtle through an hour of high energy originals.
As teens they had various musical projects before starting their Hockey Dad career in 2013. The name is cribbed from a Simpson’s episode called Regina Monologues, where Hockey Dad is a video game character.
Explosive drum fire power matched to Garage Rock relentless riffing, needs a solid bass guitar anchor, and their touring player is Steve Bourke.
Promoting their current album Rebuild Repeat (2024), they kick things off with opening song Base Camp.
Nice anthemic garage band Power Pop sets the tone for the evening. I wanna get higher!
Drummer Fleming brings a lot of the essential firepower to the Hockey Dad sound, and he drew inspiration from Aussie Post Punk bands of the Nineties.
Stephenson also listened extensively to his father’s collection of Australian Rock music.
Earlier songs have a stripped down, honed guitar sound of the early Ramones. Like Seaweed which also reminds me of classic Sixties Shadows of Knight.
The band has just announced a cancellation of their subsequent European tour, which was to follow on from this current Australasian tour.
Citing burnout and fatigue issues, they have been touring constantly for several years. Considering Hockey Dad’s high energy attack performances that we witnessed tonight, that is understandable.
Crocodylus, also from New South Wales, played as support act and were making their New Zealand debut.
Aggressive stuff leavened with melodic bits. Dissonant saxophone tones like Steve Mackay playing on the second Stooges album Funhouse.
They get to do a few dirty Blues licks as well, with two guitarists.
Local band Joe’s Van also appeared on the bill as openers.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photography by Tara Ranchhod
Crocodylus
