Last week we ran up a massive phone bill speaking mobile to Canada with Dan from Hooded Fang ahead of their UK tour, but it was worth it.
Check out Hooded Fang’s tour dates here http://bit.ly/Pf7Ovo and read our interview below…
TW: Alright Dan, how’s it going?
D: Yeah, good.
TW: Where are you now?
D:Erm…we’re in the van, driving from Montreal to Toronto, then we’ll be driving back to Montreal …then in a few weeks we’ll be driving back to Montreal.
TW: Is there quite a bit of that then, back and forth from Montreal to Toronto for you guys?
D: Yeah, a little bit, it’s okay though.
TW: The first album had a pretty British C-86 indie-pop sound, where as the new album (Tosta Mista) has a more mature 60s garage vibe, is that what you guys have been listening to recently?
D: Well I don’t think the first album sounded that British, we were probably listening to more British stuff for this album, Joe Meek (ed: legendary 60’s producer – check him out), people like that.
TW: Everyone’s drenching everything in reverb these days but you guys seem to be, dare we say it, the funkier side of the garage rock coin. Is that a conscious thing?
D: Not really, it’s just how it comes out. We just like the songs that are fun to play live so those are the ones that go on the record.
TW: Where does the name Hooded Fang come from by the way?
D: It’s just the title of a book by a Canadian author we all like (ed: Mordecai Richler). There’s nothing particular about the book other than we all liked it.
TW: Tell us about Dap Records (ed: Dan’s own record label).
D: Yeah, there’s 3 of us in it together, it’s pretty cool putting out records by people you like.
TW: Here’s your chance then, which Canadian bands should we be listening out for?
D: Oh there’s loads of good Canadian bands Odonis Odonis, Beta Frontiers, Hellaluya, The Soup Cans, Young Mother, John Mills – You’re So Boss….
TW: Cool…Do you ever getting bogged down in the business side of it all?
D: Well, you know, you gotta go through the motions, get it recorded, get it printed…but it’s worth it.
TW: Does it get tough balancing that with Hooded Fang commitments?
D: Nah, like I say we share it out…
TW: You were over here last in May, just a few months ago – is there anything that you missed from last time or something you definitely want to catch this time around?
D: The big ferris wheel in Brighton, definitely want to get on that. Apart from that…er…meet more people?…dress up more?
TW: Do you have any tunes you always bring with you on tour?
D: Yeah, Joe Meek – Sleep. There’s always some rap on the bus, Wu-Tang, something like that, our drummer always brings the rap and Lane ( lead guitarist) always plays Deer Hoof, I mean I love Deer Hoof, but it’s like, Deer Hoof again?
TW: But it never comes to blows?
D: No, we’re alright.
TW: Anything you always run out of on tour?
D: Clean clothes, I used to be a lot happier to wear dirty ones than I am now. Food, there’s never enough food, gas.
TW: You need to stick more of that on the rider!
D: Yeah, maybe we should!
TW: Okay just 4 question we ask everyone now, 1st gig?
D: Probably Bruce Springsteen, I was about 8 to 10 years old, I remember smelling weed for the first time.
TW: Last gig?
D: Ariel Pink in Montreal, that was great.
TW: Best gig?
D: Aw I don’t know, basement shows I guess.
TW: And the worst?
D: Oh those all just blur into one.
TW: Okay cool thanks for that, good luck with the tour and everything.
D: Thanks, really looking forward to coming over again, see ya!
