Some kind words about The Puckhogs!
Kevin Shea was National Promo Rep with MCA Records back when The Tragically Hip exploded and released their biggest records, so we think he knows a good tune when he hears one! He is also a "bit" of a hockey fan - he's written 17 books about hockey! We sent him a couple of songs, and he had this to say about The Puckhogs...
"Man, you guys are REALLY good!!! Both songs were terrific. I LOVED For the Love of the Game. The Hip tribute (Summer Storm) was great, too. I love all the subtle references added. Musically, you guys wonderfully tight -- really solid. Vocals are spot-on. Wow! I knew you played but did not know you guys were that good. Thank you SO much for thinking of me!"
Thanks, Kevin!! (Kevin may also be the only person we know who loves the Leafs more than Chris!) Here's a link to his website, Kevin Shea Hockey..
The Puckhogs Finally Get Their Shit Together, Drop Album
Three local songwriters – Sean Barrette, Chris Leblanc, and Brent Wohlberg – collectively known as The Puckhogs, formed in the fall of 2013 and entered their song, For the Love of the Game, in the CBC Hockey Night in Canada Song Quest to find the Next Great Canadian Hockey Song. Their underdog run to 1st Runners Up out of over 1000 Canadian artists surprised the shit out of everyone, especially them.
But they managed to make the most out of the support they’d received from their fellow Canadians and donated all proceeds from sales of the song at their Bandcamp site - over $2000.00 - to The Human League of Sudbury, to help underprivileged kids get into organized sports.
So, what to do next with all that fame and fortune?
Clearly they had no idea, as it took them over five years to finally put together a full album, which they should have called Strike While the Iron’s Hot (because irony, eh?), but didn’t. The 10-song debut, recorded by Wohlberg at his Artifact Media studios and imaginatively titled The Puckhogs, has been released to their long-suffering fans.
Best described as Canadiana, or “music about your camp to listen to at camp”, the songs are lively, authentic, sincere, and often humourous glimpses of what it means to live in the north.
And yes, of course the hockey song is on there.
The Puckhogs is available as a CD and on all digital platforms.
