Follow Friday: Hockey Dad, Mal Blum, Irontom, and More

HOCKEY DAD

This week’s Follow Friday is off to a rockin’ start with surf-pop duo, Hockey Dad. These Australian pals have those unmistakable sun-soaked jams that can only come off the coasts of down under. Preferably, you’d love to blast these jams on the way to the beach — or, at least, wishing that you were.

Stephenson and Fleming [are] two childhood sweethearts who met when Billy dropped in on Zach surfing the point, at the tender age of 4. One day, after a few finger paintings and their daily nap, Billy & Zach made a pact to become the greatest band… out of Windang, Australia.

Hockey Dad Bio, Kanine Records

The happy-go-lucky attitude is clearly illustrated by the origin of the band name — Hockey Dad — which comes from a video game that makes a brief appearance in The Simpsons. Just this week, the band has released their latest single, “Itch,” backed with 2019’s “I Missed Out.” Check out the newest from Hockey Dad on their official site!

Hockey Dad jam with Ernie Ball Power Slinky and Regular Bass Slinkys.

Listen to the best of Hockey Dad down below.

MAL BLUM

Mal Blum brings honesty and intensity in their songs. Existing somewhere along the folk-to-anti-folk spectrum, Mal Blum‘s music takes inspiration from both the intimacy of banjo-plucking folk and aggressive, experimental punk. The end result is a decade-deep discography of raw, introspective tracks.

Yeah, I think a lot of the album is sort of me trying to break these old patterns. And there’s definitely songs where I’m trying to stick up for myself or I’m trying to explore cutting people off, and things that don’t come very easily to me. It’s interesting, I feel like the same themes just repeat over and over again on the album, and in my life, and I don’t know if I made any progress.

Mal Blum on Pity Boy, The Grey Estates

Over the past 10 years, electric guitar has been creeping its way into Mal Blum‘s albums, finally shining above the rest on their latest release, Pity Boy. Speaking of shining — Mal Blum is embarking on a headlining tour this spring. Catch their tour dates on their official website.

Mal Blum plays Ernie Ball RPS Regular Slinkys.

Get thoughtful with Mal Blum down below.

IRONTOM

Irontom has an undeniable quirk to them — that’s exactly what makes their music so catchy. Is it classic rock ‘n’ roll? Is it indie? Is it prog-rock? Maybe it’s a little bit of all of the above, and we would not want it any other way. With the legacy of music literally flowing through their blood, of course Irontom are naturals.

California’s Irontom are an exuberant indie rock outfit with a sound that combines arty post-punk and prog influences with psychedelic flourishes and funk-rock grooves.

Irontom Official Bio

Since 2012, Irontom has been releasing EPs and singles containing nuggets of pure gold. Since their 2015 compilation of these gems, they have released one full LP: Partners. In the past year, their latest single, “Call Me The West,” has been picking up steam. Check it out below, or see them live by getting tickets on their official site.

Irontom gets their sound with Ernie Ball Paradigm Regular Slinkys.

OKILLY DOKILLY

Hidley ho, neighborinos! It is time to introduce the world’s only Nedal (Ned-metal) band, Okilly Dokilly. Based off of perhaps the most notorious next-door neighbor, Ned Flanders, this band combines his iconic politeness with straight-up metal.

‘Just make sure that you are always respectful to thy neighborino,’ Head Ned says. ‘And when things get heavy out there in the pit, that you lift thy neighborino up.’

Head Ned, Rolling Stone

Okilly Dokilly‘s latest release came within the past year, aptly titled Howdilly Twodilly. The album features iconic tracks such as “Reneducation,” “I Can’t, It’s a Geo,” “Bulletproof Glass,” and “Murdiddlyudeler.” You won’t believe it until you see it, so check their website for tour dates.

Okilly Dokilly get the job done with Ernie Ball Power Slinkys on guitar and on bass. They also use Earthwood Mandolin Medium Loop End 80/20 Bronze strings.

LAUNDER

The Dana Point native shoegaze act, Launder, is a bit of an enigma. You won’t be able to find much information online about him, save for his opaque, dreamy EPs strewn about the internet and, if you are lucky, an interview here and there. That is okay, though, the mystery adds to the allure.

Yeah, [my style has] gotten a lot broader than the EP or even the 7″ I just put out. I don’t want to be a one trick pony. Nothing against ponies. I just made a song that was all acoustic and piano that was a little different. Just branching out. Not sticking to the same old song and dance every time.

John Cudlip, What Youth

Like diving into a murky pool, it is best to close your eyes and let the haziness envelope you while listening to Launder‘s tunes. Check out his website for more information on tour dates near you.

Launder uses Ernie Ball Not Even Slinkys on his favorite electric guitars and Everlast Light Coated Phosphor Bronze strings when he switches it up on acoustic.

Embrace Launder‘s music down below.