THE HOONS IN PORTLAND (and the Kickstarter!)

by Jeremie Fincher

 I would like to begin by stressing my unbiased love for this band. I hadn't known The Hoons like many do, as friends and colleagues. I was a "late-bloomer" in the Anchorage music scene, and I'd never met any of them or seen the band perform until the A&R Showcase in May of 2011. When they replaced their drummer with Evan, from local metal band Armada, the Hoons caught Anchorage by storm, but of course, only the parts of Anchorage that weren't already in love with them. These guys were THE band in town.

Photo by Shalem Mathews   Styled by Geneva Cowen

Because of their popularity here, and Anchorage being so far off-the-grid, and a gentle nudge from the A&R Reps, they knew they had to go. Everyone else knew it, too. It wasn't long after the Showcase that The Hoons announced they were moving to Portland. They were going to record an album and play shows on the West coast. They are fulfilling their promise, and here are the details:

Here it is, November 2011, and Anchorage is sans its favorite band. The city of Portland, Oregon holds our boys captive. The Hoons spent 77 hours on the road, caravan-style with two rigs, driving 16 hour shifts and sleeping two hours at a time. Their report from the road was, and I quote, pure hell. They have set-up shop in a giant house, and got settled quickly. They are one big family.

[From left to right: Erik Braund (Producer/Manager), Brandon Bandersnatch (Bass/Vocals), Sean Howland (Guitar/Lead Vocals)]

Their Producer/Manager/Friend Erik Braund met up with them about a week later, who conversely, had a wonderful flight from New York. Erik flew in, and will be staying a total of 12 days, because the boys' first goal is recording an album. They've set up shop at Supernatural Sound Studios. The first couple of days, they made great headway, and almost completely knocked out Evan's drum tracks, so he was at home relaxing, enjoying the lovely Pacific Northwest weather, at the time of this interview. Of course, that "lovely" weather happened to be rainy drizzle the day of our interaction on Skype.

Brandon said it hadn't been raining the whole time, though, and he was happy to have worn shorts and a tank top in November, something us Alaskans cherish when we get to experience it. They asked how the weather was at home, and I told them about the heavy snowfall at beginning of winter. They don't miss the cold and snow, but they do miss all of you, and asked me to pass the word along. They're also asking for your help, and the Hoons have enough love here at home, I think they're goal is totally possible, with a little help from their friends.

The Hoons have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to finish recording their album. They're in an amazing studio that will allow them to sound as amazing as they are, but it costs a pretty penny. The Hoons have raised about 1/3 of what they need to finish. Fan fundraising is a common tool used these days to defer the cost of recording and also help promote the finished product by giving back to the fans that contribute. 

Check out the video The Hoons made for their Kickstarter Campaign!

The details of the fundraiser are at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1554758487/the-hoons-record-their-debut-album, and you should take a look and contribute, especially if you'd like your name somewhere on Brandon Bandersnatch's body. That's right, bass player Brandon has donated acreage on his body for tattoo of a few generous fans' names. This is just one of the awesome rewards the kickstarter offers, including a bonus song that isn't on the album, a Christmas song you should all watch out for, and a personal fitness training session with drummer Evan. Here's the thing: this program only works if they reach the entire goal. If they don't raise the whole amount, The Hoons receive nothing. Please help, if you can, and spread the word! Facebook, word of mouth, anything you can to do help is going to lead to these gentleman fulfilling a goal they have worked very hard for.

When the album is completely produced and pressed, the boys plan on mapping out a West Coast route and playing tons of shows. Early spring seems to be the contingency plan. Sean Howland says there is no shortage of places to play in Portland. I, personally, think the boys have made a very lucrative move. When Erik departs, in just a few days, he says they will be approx. 50% of the way through the recording process. Start getting excited, Anchorage, and spread the word about the Kickstarter. These guys deserve our help.

I also, of course, asked the question everyone wants to know. When will they be back?!? They wanted everyone to know that we'll be seeing them in late spring or early summer, 2012, and we should be prepared for an epic few days, and some amazing shows. Kevin also wants everyone to know he'll be back around Christmastime, and he's still an eligible bachelor. Ladies, be warned.

This update is a tad late, as they announced the Kickstarter a few days ago, but I wanted to get an inside scoop for us Anchoragites, as I'd heard nothing as far as Hoons' news, from anyone. I would like to thank Erik, and The Hoons, for allowing me a Skype session and interrupting their recording process for a few minutes. We miss The Hoons, and the feeling is mutual, but these gentlemen are on to doing great things, and they are representing Anchorage, Alaska in a wonderful light. Let's give The Hoons our utmost support and get this album recorded, because I cannot wait to hear it. Please don't forget, you can have your name on Brandon's hide, for the rest of his life. Need a new patio in your backyard? Check out http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1554758487/the-hoons-record-their-debut-album. It will all be worth it.

Jeremie plays bass guitar in Anchorage rock band Robots Helping Clones and is an Assistant Editor at Anchorage Night Out. You can reach him at bands@anchoragenightout.com.

Feel free to leave your comments below!