Entertainment

California indie-rockers Hoofing it around Ireland

Deerhoof play Belfast's Black Box on August 20
Deerhoof play Belfast's Black Box on August 20 Deerhoof play Belfast's Black Box on August 20

SAN Francisco indie-rockers Deerhoof bring their hugely acclaimed live show to Belfast next week.

The band – Satomi Matsuzaki, Greg Saunier, John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez – are touring to promote their 12th album La Isla Bonita (wryly titled in homage to the Madonna hit), the follow-up to 2012’s Breakup Song.

The new album has spawned the singles Exit Only, Paradise Girls and Last Fad; its influences include Beck, Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, Lou Reed and Sonic Youth.

Drummer Greg Saunier has said that the album was recorded “by accident” in Ed’s basement after they first set out to write a track similar to their cover of Ramones song Pinhead.

“Those 10 days in Ed’s basement were meant to be for writing and recording demos. It wasn’t until the last day we put it together that the rehearsals should be the album.

“That’s the way we always did it when the band started out as a lo-fi noise side project so we were super game to go again.”

The band have been on the indie scene for 20 years now, with high-profile fans including Johnny Greenwood, Sufjan Stevens, Graham Coxon, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Henry Rollins.

“If we hadn’t had that crazed mid-90s Bay Area punk scene to call home, I doubt we’d still be here to chat about a 20th anniversary,” said Greg.

“We don’t set out to create masterpieces. The Deerhoof fan is a thrill-seeker. This is the latest volley in an ongoing conversation we’ve been honoured to hold for 20 years.”

Before their Belfast gig, they also play Cyprus Avenue in Cork on Tuesday and Whelan’s in Dublin on Wednesday.

:: Deerhoof play The Black Box in Belfast on Thursday August 20. For tickets (£12/£14), visit BlackBoxBelfast.com