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Local band Hatelocker doesn't like being labeled!
Topics: local bands, music
Posted by Jen1180 Wed Aug 22, 2007 21:22:45 MDT
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0 responses 0 comments What’s in a name?
The name Hatelocker is a product of Noel’s high school days. He and his friends coined the term “Hurtlocker” as a joke for jocks pushing them into lockers. Later on, he changed the word “hurt” to “hate.”

By Jenny Wixom
jwixom@journalnet.com
    Noel, Keith, and Mike don’t like categories. That’s partially why classifying their music is so difficult. That combined with the fact that these guys came from different parts of the country and from slightly different musical backgrounds makes their band, Hatelocker, a refreshing change of scenery in the Southeast Idaho music scene.
    Hatelocker formed nearly four years ago when frontman Noel, originally from Mackay, moved to Pocatello from Seattle and met up with Mike, the drummer.
    “Our moms worked at Winco together,” explains Noel, “Mike’s mom told my mom that her son played drums and guitar and so I gave him a call.”
    A few years later, Keith, from Norht Carolina, was recruited as the group’s bassist. They met through a mutual friend when Noel and Mike were looking for a new bassist. Kieth had watched the guys play a few times before he joined the group.
    “I could tell right away that I would just connect with these guys,” he said.
    Although all three were musically influenced by rock, they each bring their own specific styles to the band. Kieth was influenced by eighties rock such as Guns n’ Roses and Skid Row, while Mike was influenced by heavier rock such as Pantera, Chimaria and Slayer.
    Noel’s influences are varied from the Smashing Pumpkins to Mudvayne and especially Nirvana. In fact, he has a figurine of Kurt Cobain in Mike’s basement where they practice.
    They have released three demos and hope to have their first full length album completed sometime this fall or winter.
    It becomes apparent after talking to these guys about music for a few minutes how they feel about it.
    “We play from our souls,” says Noel, “I love the freedom of expression. We love it more than anyone will ever know.”
    Eventually, Hatelocker would like to start touring outside of Idaho. But first they need a van to haul their equipment around in.
    “That’s the only thing holding us back — a vehicle,” said Mike.   
    While they are reluctant to categorize their sound, their musical influences can be heard in their live performance. Within one song the music ranges from melodic and eerie to hard-hitting and energetic.
    Their next show will be tonight at the First National Bar in Pocatello at 8 p.m. Check out their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/hatelocker.

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