Hockey Dad

"Fuzzy garage-pop that piques interest like a poster of Optimus Prime gallantly riding a dinobot in a teaser shot for Transformers 4." - Ryan Saar, Soundly Sounds.

“Hockey Dad are all Vegemite cheeks and bopping limbs…their catchy melodies and huge choruses just beg for a massive festival crowd..."
- David James Young, The Music.

"Hockey Dad manage to craft something full of undeniable swagger and confidence"
- I OH YOU Record Label (DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho)

"Sweet indie pop roughened by the salted air of the NSW South Coast."
- Dom Alessio, Triple J.

"Hockey Dad are charming in their approach to Dreamin’, with the ability to jump from saturated surf to sentimental."
- Dave Whiteway, Happy.

"It's a little bit of surf, a little bit of skate, and a whole bunch of garage, which also no doubt reflects a typical afternoon for these guys."
- Riley Pierce, Unrecorded.

"If we knew that much explosion could come out of a 2-piece band, we would've taken the time to see these kids way sooner"
- Ren Hex, The Hex Family. -

Equipped with a guitar and snare drum, enter Wollongong natives Hockey Dad, who in their current form are comprised of childhood sweethearts Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming. When any act sells out six consecutive shows you expect a good display; when they do it without even an official full-length release yet, you know you’re in for something impressive.

Confined within the four walls of Oxford Street’s Brighton Up Bar, the duo well and truly stepped up to the plate, offering ‘Lull City’ as a bold introductory with ‘Beach House’ following its tail. The boys continued to build on their brand of unaffected ’70s slacker rock instilled with infectious harmonies and classically curated surf-pop power chords. There’s something crisp and easy to listen to in their lo-fi method that would feel suited to a muddy festival field with a crowd flapping in unison, accompanied by the occasional surfer passing above.

Effortlessly melding both recognisable and new tracks into their repertoire, Stephenson’s charisma and vocal duties teamed with Fleming’s persistent steadfast synchronised drumbeats is what gave Hockey Dad their backbone. ‘I Need A Woman’ held water above the rest; they had the crowd sitting in the palm of their very hands, lapping up every note, elevated vocal and guitar riff that oozed from the stage.

Perhaps this is what made it so jovial – how quickly what Hockey Dad eject can get under your skin and swim firmly through your veins. When you catch something right on the brink, right at the start and it still feels abundant – well that’s your ticket. - The Brag

The Australian new band gold rush continues with this hairy, scruffy fun-time duo from Illawarra in New South Wales. We’re digging Hockey Dad’s bodacious surf-tastic guitar riffs and sunnysideup bravado this weather and especially new release “Can’t Have Them”, which is radio-friendly rock’n'roll with the bang of summer festival stages off it. Hit! - Irish Times