Photo by @jack.gobbe
As the news of Hockey Dad’s drummer Billy Fleming’s broken collarbone and subsequent cancellation of his Beer InCider appearance came about the day before the event, speculation began to arise as to who was going to helm the drums of the beloved coastal NSW duo. The responsibility fell into the hands of Stu McKenzie, a friend of the duo who stepped up to fill big shoes.
Nevertheless, one half of Hockey Dad definitely didn’t mean half the fun, as McKenzie played with the precision one can only have as such a dear friend of the band. Vocalist and guitarist Zach Stephenson spared no moment in playing as if business was as usual, launching into ‘Homely Feeling’. Their 2018 album ‘Blend Inn’ proved that the boys could pump out grungy, yet still catchy, tunes more at home in Seattle than coastal Australia. “Homely Feeling” demonstrated that Australians will devour anything Hockey Dad throw at them, a testament to the band and their ever so catchy sound.
Photo by @jack.gobbe
Another hit, ‘A Night Out With’, had a similar effect, with Stephenson drowned out by the fanatic crowd. The chaos settled slightly during ‘Danny’, a somewhat mellow track by Hockey Dad standards in addition to being what I consider one of the duo’s best tracks. Exhibiting the band’s knack for breaking the loud, abrasive surf rock mould in favour of a reserved and poignant tune, ‘Danny’ stood as one of many highlights.
As the set came to a close, Fleming emerged from the side of the stage, hand in sling, mic in the other to sing ‘Sweet Release’ with Stephenson and to sing the highest praises of McKenzie’s debut drum performance. Although Fleming makes a rare vocal appearance on the superb studio version, the raucous live rendition sent the crowd to new heights and rounded out what was yet another glorious celebration of good beer, cider, and Aussie music.
