Interviews: FieldHockey

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Hardcore band, FieldHockey, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it just come out like that?

FieldHockey as a name, came together really easily, actually. Let's take it back a bit. In the fall of 2019, there's this group of guys off near Hamilton Place Mall just jamming away in a little garage, after a number of hours of hammering out some loose originals that were hit and miss for "punk," yet gelled well enough, they decide to take a break and talk names. I had some silly names I (singer) was deadset on, like "noneabove" or "elephants room" or something like that. Brad (drummer) had the name "living roulette," which was super solid. i dont remember what Justin (bass) had, but I'm sure it was just as good. And then the original guitarist, Dustin, suggested field hockey. I loved it! I wish I could take the credit for it bc it fits every niche that i wanted, quirky and unique, and you know, punk and pop punk have had a love/hate relationship with sports over the years. the kicker is that i didnt know it was an actual sport. I thought it was just word thrown together! But anyways, shout out Dustin!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Personally, I had just been kicked out of a proggy alt metal, nu metal band outfit earlier that summer, and before that had spent years in a cover band/ bar band situation. I had happened upon a Facebook post of all things from Bradley asking for, and I quote, "a punk rock vocalist. in the vein of Green Day, Misfits, and Blink 182." I am personally more of a 90s and emo kid. But I felt like that was enough in my wheelhouse, and I just wanted to play music again.

3. Did you know each other beforehand?

Original members, no. In 2023, Jake Hixson and Michael Avakian joined. Both went to school with me.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

AS OF RIGHT NOW:

Michael (guitarist) - Viagra Boys.

Jake (guitarist) - Turnstile.

Bradley (drums) - Blink 182.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I have been inspired by many things over the handful of years, people, places, change... oh well, change has certainly been a big inspiration. Ive been inspired by friends telling me it's okay to reach out; others are from perceived betrayals, lies, and the like. The biggest change has to be the fact that I live nearly 500 miles away from the rest of the band, and that can be a strain on all of us. But somehow we have made it work. I stay inspired. A lot of times, the guitarists will send me a snippet of a guitar part, and I start writing then and there. Other times i need something to spark that back up.

6. Where was your last gig?

The Masquerade! Hell. Christmas in Hell, specifically.

7. Where would you like to play?

I personally would love to hit some of the new york new jersey areas that really popped off with early mid 2000s post hardcore and emo pop punk, etc. Other than that i know we have some lovely people in England I would love to play for. Oh! And some of the festivals around the states? absolutely.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I have a list of people's names I would love a feature with. Chino Moreno, Davey Havok, Daryl Palumbo, Anthony Green, Bert McCracken, those would just be amazing! But I would also love something along the lines of a hot Mulligan. I wouldn't be opposed to it much, though, if I'm honest.

9. Whom not?

Anything country. I am sorry. Not my thing. I am down with just about everything

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Going all the way back to when I was in my early 20s, I played with a bar band and really had the worst stage fright. I would drink it away and still stand still as a board. When I played guitar i would convince myself it was fine bc i could stand still, that was fine. But honestly, I have heard "picture everybody naked, or in their underwear" never could really do that. I move. I try to get the crowd going as best I can. I lock eyes with people I know, hopefully, and then with ones that I dont and I feel the energy coming back. Those are the best moments, stage fright be damned.

11. Something to add?

For anybody out there who has listened to a song, bought a sticker, come out and seen us, jumped on stage, and gotten crazy with us. bought us drinks, grabbed some stickers spoken with me after the show at the merch table. It means the world to me. For anybody who relates to the words I am singing and really feels what I am going through OR especially when they perceive it the best way for them, it means that much more. I lose music and love writing and performing, but knowing that I am or that we are something to somebody when I've been on the flipside of that just ... there are no words for that feeling. I love our fans. We have the best fans, hands down. - E

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