Hooded Fang rip apart Rough Trade East

Canadian indie rock band Hooded Fang, ripped apart Rough Trade East last night as they performed songs from their UK debut album Tosta Mista.

The band formed in Toronto, Ontario back in 2007. Band members include Daniel Lee (lyricist, lead vocals, drums and guitar), Lane Halley (lead guitar and trumpet), April Aliermo (bass guitar, lyricist) and D. Alex Meeks (drums).

Tosta Mista, the UK debut album, by the Polaris prize nominated group, is filled with surf guitars, verbed-out vocals and danceable 1960s drum brakes: it’s a true and authentic garage rock insurgence.

Although the album gives off the sound of patio parties and hot summer nights, the upbeat music successfully hides the secret message behind the album – Tosta Mista is an album all about heartbreak, telling the story of singer/guitarist Daniel Lee and bassist April Aliermo’s break-up after five long years together. This collection of songs on love and heartbreak is definitely one for the fans of Iggy Pop, The Sonics, The Strokes and The Strange Boys.

The band’s music is currently very popular on CBC Radio. Their debut recording EP was self-released on 15^th September 2008. Their first full length album entitled Album was also self-released on 6^th August 2010 and distributed by Outside Music. Both recordings have received critical acclaim from Exclaim! They have now landed in the UK with Tosta Mista.

Hooded Fang are known for staging gigs in houses, cross-pollinating side projects and being fiercely independent. “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,” says the do-it-yourself band.

Zanib Ashgar
Photos: Laramie Shubber

For further information and future gigs visit Hooded Fang’s official website. Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter.

Watch Hooded Fang performing Tosta Mista here:

Here are the dates for their upcoming “Eurosylez” May UK/EU tour:

May 10^th: Leicester, UK – Soundhouse *
May 12^th: Brighton, UK – Great Escape Festival
May 12^th: London, UK –  The Blind Tiger Club
May 12^th: Brighton, UK – The Fly at Hector’s House
May 14^th: Reading, UK – Sub 89 *
May 15^th: Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms *
May 16^th: Bristol, UK – Fleece *
May 18^th: Mannheim, Germany, Maifeld Derby Festival
May 19^th: Amsterdam, Netherlands, London Calling Festival
May 20^th: Hamburg, Germany – Molotow *
May 21^st: Cologne, Germany – Gebaude 9 *
May 22^nd: Munich, Germany – Atomic *
May 24^th: Antwerp, Belgium – Trix *
May 25^th: Ostend, Belgium – De Zwerver *
May 26^th: Paris, France, Inrocks Indie Club – Fleche D’Or *
May 28^th: Aarhus, Denmark – Voxhall *
May 29^th: Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega *
May 30^th: Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik *
May 31^st: Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser *

*With Howler