Hockey @ Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne(3/2/10)

Mon 8th Feb, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Towards the end of Hockey’s gig at the Hi-Fi Bar, their loose-limbed lead singer Ben Grubin pondered out loud how anybody found his burgeoning band. “Myspace?”, he suggested rhetorically. It was an interesting remark and one that speaks volumes of the modern-day music consumer.

Hockey has received very little radio play and only released their debut album, Mind Chaos, late last year. But for some time websites like MySpace, YouTube and various others have been breaking down the barriers for once isolated Australian music fans. Local punters are now part of a global community, only limited by their internet connection. They can now immerse themselves in acts such as this indie-disco-rock-soul-pop quintet from Portland, Oregon.

Hockey has been touring Australia with the hip Laneway Festival, and they performed an eye-catching early-afternoon set at the Melbourne leg. Their infectious party tunes went down a treat in the sunshine, and I’m sure their performance converted many of the punters who turned up at their sideshow.

Sydney electro-pop band Cassette Kids were billed as Hockey’s support act, but unfortunately an illness in their ranks prevented that from eventuating. So it was left up to local DJ Luke McD to warm up the crowd with a mixed bag of indie/dance tunes.

Hocky shuffled onto the stage just after 10pm to a surprisingly large crowd. It wasn’t packed, but considering the band’s limited profile the numbers were very impressive; though a lengthy guestlist may have helped.

A gaggle of eager young ladies swarmed to the front of the stage to ogle Grubin and his hirsute band mates, as they launched into the melancholy, Work. This slow-burning, groovy song was one of their best on the night and the subtle, funky bass lines, keyboards and acoustic guitar strum perfectly matched Grubin’s smooth vocals.

Work has a killer hook, and this is a feature of the Hockey’s best songs. Considering this, it is not hard to understand why they were handpicked to play some of the biggest European summer festivals in 2009 (Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, and T in the Park), and will undoubtedly be returning this year.

Work’s thumping conclusion, which saw Grubin join Anthony Stassi on the drums, was followed by the equally catchy, but much brighter Learn To Lose. Brian White’s shimmering guitar licks and Grubin’s soulful vocals propelled the song into a quintessentially energetic chorus.

The mega-80s 3am Spanish illustrated Hockey’s eclectic nature. The song reeks of Debbie Harry’s sojourn into rap in Rapture and featured a super-funky disco intro. This tune had the crowd grooving along to Jeremy Reynolds’ bass lines, Stassi’s frenetic beats and Ryan Dolliver’s synth. And, of course, it has another great hook.

While the band was performing their songs with gusto and skill it was hard to ignore they were failing to engage the crowd. Grubin had been talkative in the sunshine at Laneway, but he was withdrawn and shy in the dark of the night.

Perhaps they were nervous, but other than the obligatory shout-out to the absent Cassette Kids, and remarking their surprise at the size of the crowd, the band barely uttered a word. The awkward space between each song was filled with the band fiddling with their instruments and the hum of the crowd’s conversations.

The country/folk, Dylan-esque Four Holy Photos further illustrated the band’s ability to cover a range of genres. But while it shines on their album, it was disappointing live. On Mind Chaos its gentle rhythm provides respite from the energetic songs that surround it. This quality escaped it on the night. The sound levels were wrong and the song was drained of all subtlety: Grubin’s contemplative vocals were lost in a cloud of drums and guitars.

Two of their most recognisable and climactic tunes, Too Fake and Put The Game Down were played with tremendous energy and saw Hockey’s front man energetically leap about the stage. Too Fake sees the band channel their inner James Murphy and is a bona fide anthem, dripping with irony and bravado. This dynamic song was the set highlight and received an enthusiastic response from the young crowd.

After a rather pedestrian rendition of a brand new ballad, Hockey finished with the layered and boppy, Preacher. The sombre opening organ notes and vocals burst into a hyperactive mix of angular riffs and xylophone. This exciting song, which has shades of gospel in its chorus, had punters dancing around like headless chickens.

Preacher is not as derivative as some of their other songs and is hopefully a sign of what their new material will be like. If an excellent, Vampire-Weekend-ish new song that was performed early in their set is anything to go by, Hockey sound like they are heading in the right direction.

They are a talented band and the ability to write such instantly engaging songs doesn’t grow on trees. Lack of banter aside, it was a terrific gig from a fun band that doesn’t take itself too seriously.