Behind a curtain concealing the back room in this uber trendy bar under the arches in Shoreditch American band Hockey kicked of the week in style, ripping up the room with their garage rock cum rock’n’roll. Obviously not one for big entrances, there was little hustle and bustle as The Bear Club left the stage and on came Hockey, but the unmistakable fuzzy beat of opener Work got people running back from the bar.
Upbeat and melodic, funky and direct, the music is made for dancing, if it was possible without bashing arses with everyone else in the club. Imagine The Strokes crossed with Hot Hot Heat, with the resulting hair nightmares not too far off the mark. Myspace headliner ‘Too Fake’ was a great finale, but the short length of the gig meant that it felt like something was missing.
Taking up a new sport was my new year’s resolution, and I’ve got to say, Hockey has caught my eye. My appetite has been whetted, and I want more.