Meet The Band: Honheehonhee

So, we were on CBC Radio 3 a few weeks ago and heard this song we couldn't get out of out heads. Turns out the impressive little ditty was "A. Is For Animal" by Honheehonhee. Now, it had been a while since pop struck us that hard so we decided it was our quest to talk to this band. Thankfully Greg Halpin, Stefan F.-Gow and Matt Raudsepp accepted our invitation and we didn't have to get dramatic. The timing couldn't be better either: they're coming to see us on Dec. 16 at the El Mocambo so we can bask, bask, bask.

How do you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard you before?

Like a cross between The Flying Burrito Brothers, Hal Johnson and Vengaboys.

If you could open for one current band that you haven't played with before, who would it be?

U2. Maybe Coldplay...whoever could draw a bigger crowd. Actually it would probably be Arcade Fire.

If you could play one venue you've never played before, what would it be?

Metropolis in Montreal - a great big non-sports-arena venue. I've seen some great shows there. Prince played it this year. Honestly, it would be a dream come true to fill that place with friends and fans in our hometown.

What would be your all-time, all-star supergroup?

Peter Sellers on drums, Woody Allen on clarinet, Harry Shearer on bass, Zach Galifianakis on piano, Conan O'Brian on guitar, Reggie Watts on vocals and loop pedal. Chosen namely for the stage banter that would ensue.

What was the craziest live show you've ever seen?

If you mean crazy awesome I'd have to go with Library Voices. If you mean crazy nuts then it was CPC Gangbangs. One of the guitarists lit himself on fire. I had never seen anything like that before.

What was the craziest live show you've ever played?

This past Halloween at Rancho Relaxo in Toronto. A group of people dressed as a mariachi band came up on stage with us and destroyed our last song. It was a beautiful mess. I remember hearing our microkorg suddenly blasting these techno beats at one point. And we were all wearing very tight costumes, or next to nothing.

What's your favourite song to play live? Why?

That's a tough one... right now probably “To The Silo”. It still has a freshness to it because I don't think its ever been played the same way twice. The outro to the song is fairly drawn out, which allows for some improvisation. It's definitely a nice change of pace in the set.

What was the first record you ever bought? When was the last time you listened to it?

I bought two the same day: Bad to the Bone (Inner Circle) and Dookie (you know who). I still listen to both on occasion. Inner Circle is more of an occasion.

Who was your favourite band (or artist) when you were 12 years old? Do you still like them?

Third Eye Blind probably. I still like much of that first album - reminds me of choosing an XL elementary school graduation t-shirt that is still too big for me.

If you could switch places with another musicians in some type of "Freaky Friday" type incident, who would you want it to be?

Stevie Wonder for a day. I wanna feel how that guy perceives music.

If you could have one musical superpower, what would you want it to be?

The immediate regeneration of broken guitar strings.

Photo: Honheehonhee

Meet The Band is a regular feature where we introduce you to bands we like. You can find all of the rest of them here.