Mike Chen's Hockey Blog
Next entry: Koivu to Pittsburgh? In My Dreams
Previous entry: Another Way To Look At The Standings
Puck Rock: Dave Bidini
by Mike Chen on 11/26/08 at 12:00 PM ET
Comments (2)
Who is Dave Bidini? If you’re an American hockey fan, you may not be that familiar with Dave. That’s too bad because he’s one of the most entertaining hockey writers around. He also is the founder of noted indie rock band Rheostatics, and has recorded his share of solo albums. Dave’s hockey books include Tropic of Hockey (an award-winning look at how hockey can be found in even the most remote of regions; ToH was also the basis of The Hockey Nomad aired on CBC in 2003) and The Best Game You Can Name (a funny and vivid look at the game from Dave’s on-ice perspective and the perspective of greats like Steve Larmer and Frank Mahovlich).
If you’re Canadian, you may have heard, seen, or read Dave about sports and all things puck because he’s all over the place. He’s featured in This Magazine (writing), Toro Magazine (web show host), and, well, a bunch of other places. If it rocks or if it’s got a puck involved with it, chances are Dave has some thoughts about it. He’s even curated a gallary exhibit about Maple Leaf fandom called Blue Blood (runs through January 4th at Toronto’s Harbour Front Center.
Which, of course, makes him perfect subject for an edition of Puck Rock. And in true punk spirit (punk, not puck), here’s Dave’s irreverant take on the whole thing:
How do you go from punk-rock pioneer to hockey writer?
I turned left at Wreckless Eric.
(Mike’s note: Wreckless Eric is a UK-based musician and a punk pioneer in his own right.)
Did your band touring inspire the idea for Tropic of Hockey?
Tour Canada in the winter and you can anywhere.
(Mike’s note: Want to know what that’s like? Check out Dave’s On a Cold Road.
For music buffs, Bidini’s journey with Rheostatics is chronicled in his book Around the World in 57 1/2 Gigs. How does one rock in Africa and Russia? Dave’s book will teach you.)
You’ve written some songs about hockey players. What inspired you to tell those particular tales and how did you put them all together?
How better to address the issue of homosexuality from the perspective of two hockey-playing brothers living in the BC interior?
(Mike’s note: Dave sent me a preview of a cut off his new album regarding fallen Hab/Penguin/Nordique Bryan Fogarty. The song, called The Land Is Wild, will be featured on Dave’s new album this spring. Now check out The Ballad of Wendel Clark by Rheostatics:)
Hypothetically, if you could either A) play to a sold-out Madison Square Garden B) win the Stanley Cup or C) have a New York Times #1 bestseller, which would it be?
We played the Gardens with the Hip, not the Garden, which is close enough.
We sang the anthem at MLG, which was, sort of, our Stanley Cup.
New York Times it is, I suppose.
What song should they never, ever play in hockey arenas again?
The Final Countdown by Europe.
(Mike’s note: I think we can all agree that this is a great choice to ban from hockey arenas in any form. I’ve heard both an album version and an arena organ version and both equally suck. Let’s just hope that it never comes to this atrocious version spawned by the horror of American network television:)
What punk or indie song would make for the ideal hockey team entrance song?
None. Bring back the bloody music of the crowd.
Tell readers about some of your favorite music gear you own.
The only thing duller than gear talk is goalie pad talk and I’ll bow out from doing either.
(Mike’s note: I’d argue the point, at least when it comes to music gear, but maybe that’s mean being a music geek. Goalie pad talk? I’ll give that one.)
You’ve just won the Stanley Cup. What song would you pick for the cheesy TV network montage?
My Way by Sid.
(Mike’s note: Sid as in Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols AKA the guy Gary Oldman brilliantly played in Sid & Nancy. Here’s Mr. Vicious doing his best Sinatra act.)
You can find out more about Dave’s music and books at his official website.
Filed in: | Mike Chen's Hockey Blog | Permalink
Tags: Puck+Rock,
Comments
This is great! I hadn’t heard the Ballad of Wendel Clark in ages.
I could definitely comprise my own list of dreadful hockey arena music. I work at Air Canada Centre in Toronto and between the music played at Leafs, Raptors (NBA) and Rock (NLL) games, I could very well go crazy.
However, I will never get sick of hearing The Tragically Hip’s “Fifty Mission Cap” (about the Maple Leafs’ late Bill Barilko) before the start of every third period.
Also, how about this version of the Europe classic: The Final Countdown
Posted by Courtney from Ontario on 03/16/09 at 03:52 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Intent To Blow vs. In The Crease
What Do You Expect From A Rookie Season?
About Kukla’s Korner
Kukla’s Korner is updated around the clock with the work of our own talented bloggers, plus links to the best hockey writing around the internet. We strive to bring you all the breaking hockey news as it happens.
The home page allows you to see the latest postings from every blog on the site. Subscribe here. For general inquiries and more, please contact us anytime.
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker.
As well as reading about hockey games, you can also find info about poker like which poker sites accept American Express or which are the best Canadian poker sites and also find the top rakeback sites at rakeback.net.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
I love Dave Bidini. His book, Tropic of Hockey, was an inspiration for some of my own hockey travels. The Best Game You Can Name is still in my top ten hockey books, and would have a hard time being dislodged.
I found a copy of The Hockey Nomad on DVD and it was a fun watch. It was pretty much like the book ToH, but of course you get to see what the arenas look like.
Posted by Tapeleg on 11/29/08 at 10:04 AM ET