Now a five-to-seven-piece band (depending on the project in hand), Hooded Fang sprung to life in the attic bedroom shared by Daniel and April, the name coming from a classic children’s book written by Mordecai Richler. Conveniently, Nick Hune-Brown, keyboardist, lived downstairs. The band used to rehearse in that attic room and they would even put on shows for local and touring bands. It’s where they recorded a 2008 EP and 2010’s self-released, Canada-only debut, Album, which earned them the Polaris nomination, made them the most blogged band on The Hype Machine and led to tours with The Rural Alberta Advantage.
Still fiercely independent, Hooded Fang are releasing their latest album on their own Daps Records, which will be a fully-functioning entity putting out records by other artists this year.
Tosta Mista is the brilliant debut UK album by Polaris Prize nominated Canadian collective Hooded Fang. With surf guitars, ‘verbed-out vocals and danceable ‘60s drum breaks, it’s a veritable garage rock riot. Tosta Mista sounds like the whole of the Nuggets box set condensed into an album that’s just 23 minutes long.
Totally different to its wintry, fuzz-pop predecessor, Tosta Mista marks the blossoming of a major new band. “We want it to be a good summer listen, something that you won’t get sick of and that makes you feel alright,” say the band. “We also want to let people know what’s up, and where we want to go with this project. We're pretty much going wherever we want. Our message is simple: do what you want, work hard, have fun. Put out good shit. Keep the community tight. Don’t be an idiot.”
