The Hoodangers (Melbourne) CD Launch

It’s like The Clash would’ve played jazz if they’d had the chops – Tom McDermott, Gambit Weekly (New Orleans)

Together 15 years and graduating from the street to cult status, Melbourne’s The Hoodangers are a prime example of the unique description defying bands that have consistently come out of Melbourne in the last two decades.

Their music is characterised by intense energy and commitment to rhythm and laughter, with a unique take on blending musical material – from classic tunes to the short, quirky modern Melbourne anthem.

Having played most of the major jazz festivals in Australia and undertaken nine international tours (performing in Russia, Northern Europe, the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and India) the band tonight launches Stor Fisk, Lille Fisk (Big Fish, Little Fish) their fifth independent release since the groups’ formation.

A double album of recordings made entirely in Denmark, it has both live and studio recordings – the band tours nationally promoting the new CD so come and enjoy this exclusive Sydney performance.

If The Hoodangers play trad jazz, it’s trad jazz with attitude… they perform with such energy and wit that it’s impossible not to feel this music is the product of current culture rather than moth-eaten memories… These musicians never let their commitment to their art get in the way of their ability to have a good time. Their aim isn’t just to play music, but to revel in the sounds they’re creating, to push themselves into places they’ve never been before, and to let loose the Siberian tigers of their imagination – Jessica Nicholas, The Age

It took Australians to give us a lesson in New Orleans jazz… you’d think that they were punks – except that instead of electric guitars these six Australians played with a beautiful musical sense – Laurence La Presse, Montreal