Spotlight Band of the Week: Hormoans

  

The Rock Spot welcomes Hormoans into the spotlight this week, giving us a Q and A, much like meeting and learning all about a new friend. Self-described as "a melting pot of influences," this edgy band tells us all about their origins, to their craziest band moment. 

Q: What year did Hormoans form?

A: Hormoans formed in the early 2000’s and began playing gigs in and around the GTA between 2007/2008.

Q: Tell us the creation story of Hormoans.

A: Hormoans emerged out of a couple heavier bands playing the local circuit in 2008. The scene was pretty incestuous at the time, and everyone knew everyone, so naturally we felt like a change was due - our music came out of the basic need to communicate with others; this feeling of helplessness regarding different aspects of society, the loss of loved ones and personal trauma's that could only be addressed through making punk rock/grunge music.

Q: Hormoans has such a unique sound and brings in a new flavour to the Toronto independent music scene. How would you describe your sound? Who and what are influences to the sound?

A: We are a melting pot of influence for sure - most bands are these days.  We love local bands who are quirky, fun and unique.  But we have always maintained a cockeyed, somewhat selfish vision of how our music should be heard.  We've been described as a "tornado mix of punk and grunge with a surf mutation"...we think that's pretty close (haha).  Our sound is very reactionary, very instinctual on many levels.  It has morphed from a strictly punk infused adolescent mayhem to a more unified, fun, cohesive rock sound that incorporates a lot of melody and musicianship into the equation.  It's getting very exciting.

Q: On the Hormoans Facebook bio, you guys say that you're "hell bent on reshaping the music scene in Toronto." How is Hormoans doing this right now?

A: We have always been somewhat of an anomaly in the local scene - which is great.  We are helping to reshape the music scene in Toronto by infiltrating it from the inside out - our sound has evolved and is giving people something new and real to talk about.  The Toronto music scene is so plentiful and varied and adventurous and all of these wonderful things, but it's also this kind of self-perpetual maze where bands get lost in trying to be successful on a local, underground level.  We make music on our own terms, for people like us who have run the gamut, put on shows, played the dives, and came out stronger for it.  Change comes from within.

Q: In what moment did you finally know that Hormoans was on the rise?

A: We think our showcase at NXNE 2013 really set things into high gear - it was an explosive set in a really small venue in Kensington. That coupled with some write ups in local magazines and positive buzz regarding our new material have really transformed our career for the better.

Q: What significance does the album name ["Millar"- released April 26, 2013] have? 

A: "Millar" is a good friend of ours whose musical background could easily be mistaken for someone living in Seattle circa 1993.  He was the main inspiration for the record even before we befriended him.  His dedication to this style of music and our band is directly responsible for the album sounding the way it does.  

Q: Why do all the band members have stage names (they're really cool!)? How were they chosen?

A: We wanted to do something fun and different, the names don’t have any real meaning, just a form of expression for each of our own unique personalities. It was just something to do that other bands we know weren’t doing. With every record that comes out we will have new stage names because we feel like reinventing ourselves and our music will help us grow as a band.

 S. Sandhu (Karen Moar) - Guitars, Vocals 

M. Alexander (Robin Graves) - Bass 
C. Bapooji (Izzy Dangerous) - Drums

Q: What was the craziest moment the band's ever had during a show?

A: One time a few years back we were playing London, Ontario to a packed house of young, disgruntled adolescents, and I (Steve) got this idea to climb the huge stack of amps on the side of the stage.  Everyone was cheering, telling me to jump - so, being on a self-destructive kick, I did.  Much to my surprise I landed in the tattooed arms of punks and goths, all the while still screaming the song with battered mic in hand.  That was an unexpected rush.  

Q: On the Hormoans Facebook page, it says the band is playing some festivals in 2014. Which festivals are you playing?

A: We were asked to play both NXNE and CMW this year - a couple other secrets may pop up in a short while.  Our main focus is writing the new album for sure.

Q: Which festival is the band most excited to play and why? 

A: CMW looks to be interesting.  We've heard great things and are planning a couple surprises for that show. Plus it’s a great showcase for new bands to get some exposure.

Q: What's the best part about being in a band?

A: The chance to express how we feel about people to people, without bullshitting around the facts. There seems to be so much animosity and friction amongst people these days, from the economy tanking to social media destroying all of our lives that music seems to be the one saving grace.  It allows a short cut to the truth in otherwise weary world. The art of creating something out of nothing is pretty magical too, creating a new song that never existed before and sharing it with the public is a great feeling.

Q: Any upcoming shows? If so, when and where?

A: MAR 6th, 9pm @ The Boat

Radio shows and festival dates TBA

You could listen and puchase "Millar" on: https://hormoans.bandcamp.com