Hooded Fang: TAS Tour Blog

Hooded Fang might possess a thrashing, heavy metal-ish moniker — and a somber title for their third album, Gravez — but there's an exhuberant sparkle to the Toronto band's fuzzed-out, kaleidoscopic, sometimes surf-pop songs.

They've added a grittier edge to their sound (and stripped down the lineup to a quartet) since their 2010 debut, Album, allowing the vibrant, raw elements of their live shows drive the recording of Gravez. The Polaris Prize-nominated Hooded Fang (for 2011's Tosta Mista) has been touring North America this spring — the band launches a string of Canadian and West Coast dates tonight, June 12.

The Alternate Side asked bassist April Aliermo if she'd keep a tour blog and she did, covering gigs, a visit to frontman Daniel Lee's mom and noshing on loads of Chinese food:

Hooded Fang Tour Blog:

This is our homie Scott Harwood:

Contrary to what this photo might convey, he is a darling. Daniel [Lee] and I met him in Berlin this past winter (where we were writing and recording for our other band, Phèdre). He has a wicked electronic project called Ken Park that you should all check out. He's also never been to America, and he's really great company, so he's coming along on our North American tour with us. After so many Hooded Fang family trips, its fresh to have a new face around. Bonus for me, taking Scott along on tour also means that I have someone to scope out handsome men with. In London, Ontario, beside the venue we played at, Scott had his very own shine shop.

These are our pals Blonde Elvis playing with us in Hamilton. Jesse, Carlyn, Rich, Colin and Jordan:

They are a tight band. We took them with us on the first four dates of our tour - - - we wish they could have done the whole trip with us! We met them through the Toronto music scene, which is actually quite the nice community. For the most part, everyone sees each other's shows, is happy to collaborate and is friendly with each other some how. Daniel and I started a concert series called Daps All-Ages and Jesse's other band, Young Mother, played it once. Maybe that's how we met them.

Pre-show visit to Daniel's sweetest, loveliest mama, Margrit Weber Lee:

It was her birthday and we freakin' almost forgot. This is Daniel with her. NEVER FORGET YOUR MAMMA'S BIRTHDAY! EVEN IF YOU NEVER TALK TO HER OR DISLIKE HER, SHE STILL CARRIED YOU AROUND FOR 9 MONTHS AND STRUGGLED TO GET YOU OUT OF HER VAGINE OR HAD HER BELLY CUT OPEN FOR YOU.

Pre-show visit to our pal, famous sign painter, Dougie Kerr:

One day, we cold-called him at his work, Honest Ed's, and made friends with him. He did the fonts on our last two records and every now and then, we catch up over a pint with him. Nothing like painting classic fonts the good ol' way. This crazy Scottish mo'fo bikes 100Km every weekend. If only we could be in as good shape as him one day. On this tour we've brought a skipping rope and a soccer ball. Lane has vowed not to eat any McDonald's, Daniel is trying to quit smoking, and I'm taking 'er easy on the drinking. We'll see how it all goes.

Our hometown show was rad:

Weeaves, Planet Creature and Blonde Elvis played with us. The turnout was fantastic, and a lot of our pals came out. It was particularly exciting for me to share the stage with so many women, which can be rare enough in this indie band world. Jasmyn leads Weeaves and has an amazing voice. Planet Creature is a sick band comprised of five gals. Carlyn plays wicked guitar for Blonde Elvis. Its very empowering and inspiring to see so many super women musicians.

Post-show Chinese food with our homie Patrick Kyle.

He is quite the cook and a psycho comic book artist. He did the artwork for Gravez. He has also made a lot of really great comics. I'm particularly drawn to his series, Distance Mover. His drawings are fantastic and his story lines and dialogues are well-written. He prints them on a risograph at home so the colours are fantastic too. Instead of panels, Patrick tends to make his comics on full collage- like pages. So cool,  I'm also lucky that he's looking after my bike, Pink Decay, while I'm on tour.

Our Montreal show was super fun:

It was in this DIY loft space called The Plant. The people who run the space are friendly and do things like have movie nights and Sunday night dinners for people to drop in on. When we were there, they were preparing a giant vat of kimchi. It was a tease because it won't be ready for a whole month so we will be missing out on the whole thing. DIY spaces rule. I have been based out of Montreal for the last few months. Above, you can see D.Alex [Meeks] sleeping amongst most of Blonde Elvis in my living room.

– April Aliermo, Hooded Fang, June 2013

Below, check out Hooded Fang's tour dates and the band's latest single, "Bye Bye Land." Gravez is available now on Full Time Hobby.

Hooded Fang Tour Dates:

06/12 Winnipeg, AB - Windsor Hotel
06/13 Saskatoon, SK - MOSO Fest at Vangelis
06/14 Edmonton, AB - Brixx
06/15 Calgary, AB - Palomino
06/16 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
06/17 Seattle, WA - El Corazon Lounge
06/18 Eugene, OR - Cozmic Lounge
06/20 San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
06/21 Los Angeles, CA -Viper Room
06/23 San Diego, CA - Soda Bar