I arrived peculiarly early for Hockey Dad’s headlining set at The Tivoli Theatre (19 March), quietly wondering whether the out-of-character timeliness is an indication of my loyalty to the duo.
Despite being relatively unfamiliar with support act Dear Seattle, they immediately make a positive impression; the band is instantly likeable thrashing through their EP ‘The Meadows’, asserting its fierce strength as a debut release but more so affirming their infectious stage presence and incredible aptitude at live performing.
Hockey Dad are too humble to make an ostentatious entrance though the simplicity (and hilarity) of walking on stage to Vengaboys’ ‘We Like To Party’ still triggers an ear-splitting response from fans.
The starting track of their 2018 record feels a fitting introduction, although we’re pressed so tight against clammy bodies ‘My Stride’ is almost lost in your ears.
The back and forth rocking of the pit dies down as ‘Laura’ surfaces, honey-worded chorus “I can’t help it, she’s too perfect” juxtaposed with the more sinister tones of ‘Babes’: “And I don’t want you, I don’t want you.”
‘Disappoint Me’ proves to be one of the warmer additions of ‘Blend Inn’, drawing comparisons to the earlier releases (‘Can’t Have Them’ and ‘A Night Out With’) that follow.
Fans aptly chime the verses of recent single ‘I Wanna Be Everybody’, though it’s the words of ‘Join The Club’ that draw you in; they’re simple but clever and catchy, as always, Hockey Dad’s shining, metaphorical slogan.
Although ‘Danny’ is one of their slower tracks the audience’s pace remains chaotic; I almost wish the crowd would stop and pay respect to the song’s sad origins.
The band rewards long-term listeners with ‘Boronia’ favourites, ‘Raygun’ and ‘I Need A Woman’ met with cheering approval. Even still, newbie ‘Sweet Release’ is the indisputable highlight of the night, drummer Billy Fleming smiling start-to-finish through his lead vocal debut.
‘Running Out’ makes for sublime mosh-pit material, ‘Jump The Gun’s chorus “I don’t wanna go home, I’m having too much fun” next tugging at heartstrings.
Singer and guitarist Zach Stephenson announces: “These will be the last couple of songs!”, frantic crowd ironically chanting along to ‘So Tired’ (“I can’t, I can’t, I can’t fight it, I’m so, I’m so, I’m so tired”) before the set closes on star single, ‘Homely Feeling’.
Hockey Dad then reappeared in a matter of minutes for the obligatory encore; Waax vocalist Marie DeVita surprisingly surfaces and belts out a brilliant rendition of The Vines’ ‘Get Free’, exiting for ‘Seaweed’, the duo’s beautiful finale.
Having watched the duo perform only seven months earlier made for an interesting comparative point, while reflecting on the show. I was stunned by how young they were during that set in 2017, though interestingly, age wasn’t a characteristic that sprung to mind the second time around.
While realistically, their appearance hasn’t exactly changed (one doesn’t ‘age’ in a matter of months) their presence and demeanour certainly has; the ‘Boronia’ tour shone the album in a playful, adolescent light but with ‘Blend Inn’, they’ve progressed completely.
Besides being audibly heavier the lyrics are written from a more mature perspective and interestingly, that development is very much visible on stage; the two have deservedly transitioned from ‘fun, surf-rock performers’ to well-established, well-rehearsed musicians.
In saying that, the record still clings to many iconic Hockey Dad characteristics; short songs, shimmering guitar riffs and repetitive, two-line choruses that loop and re-loop in listeners’ heads like roller coasters.
Having been embedded in the relentless mosh I experienced an iconic trait of punk-rock gigs, the singular drawcard for many when determining which live shows to see. Though while the band will unavoidably attract some adrenaline junkies, it’s important to note their music deserves more serious consideration than the rush of a push and shove.
