Introducing: The Hot Hooves - Fake Modern Art

The Hot Hooves at The Buffalo Bar - Photo by Paul Slattery

Photographer and regular Retro Man Blog contributor Paul Slattery went along to see the Oxford based band, The Hot Hooves, at Islington's Buffalo Bar recently following a glowing recommendation from Ian of Damaged Goods Records. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it, but according to Paul the band were great and I have been listening to their latest album "Fake Modern Art", which has been released on Rivet Gun Records, pretty much non-stop. It's a blistering collection of powerful Punk Rock that reminds me of the great Swedish band Division of Laura Lee in the way they create a wired and edgy, almost claustrophobic sound. The album has an excellent production so the songs thunder along and the guitars positively burst out of the speakers with some spiralling riffs and crunching chords. Similar to Wire and Pixies they have that knack of confounding your senses with some unexpected chord changes and melodic twists and turns. The perfect example of this would be on the stunning title track "Fake Modern Art" with its lovely backing vocal harmonies almost fighting to be heard amongst the twisting guitars, it's a work of genius.

The Hot Hooves at The Buffalo Bar - Photo by Paul Slattery

By chance I saw Hot Hooves guitarist Peter Momtchiloff playing in The Would-Be-Goods who were supporting The Monochrome Set at Bush Hall. After listening to Hot Hooves I must admit to being a bit surprised to discover Peter has also previously played in Indie-Popsters Talulah Gosh and Heavenly as sonically they are poles apart - but then again it's all about the melodies - albeit just played at slightly different volume levels!

Nightshift Magazine, Dec '12 - Short, sharp shocks are the order of the day rather than bilious pontificating; Hot Hooves cram an irresistible amount of energy, melody, wit and cynicism into two and a bit minutes. Album opener "Youth Activator" is a well aimed pop grenade, puncturing modern age posturing and protest as the song cavorts effusively with the spirit of '77. "Uncomplicated Flow" might be a decent description of much of Hot Hooves' output - an onward rush of effortless three-chord ire and disdain with its tongue only slightly in its cheek. What sticks with you is both the strength of melody, even when the band seem to be trashing anything to hand, and a sense of youthful abandon that's rare. If only more bands would grow up so disgracefully.

Nightshift Magazine, Nov '11 - "The band kick out a few-frills buzzsaw brand of pop that fleetingly reminds you of early Teenage Fanclub or even the poppier side of Husker Du. Highlight of the album is the rambunctious "Spark Up Agenda", a full-throttle pile-up between The Ramones and Status Quo helmed by Mark E Smith, while "Midlife" and "My Telekinesis" display a withering wit that few bands can hope to emulate.

The Hot Hooves are Peter: Guitars & Vocals, Gary: Drums, Mike: Bass and Mac: Vocals & Guitars. Here's a great video for the album's opening track "Youth Activator".

Thanks to Paul Slattery & Peter. You can listen to the band at their Hot Hooves Soundcloud page.