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Hancock Basement
Genre: Indie, Pop
Region: Canberra, ACT
Members: Nick Craven (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Tom Spira (drums, vocals), Nick Beresford-Wylie (lead guitar, piano, sax, backing vocals) and Todd Gregory (bass)
Sounds Like: Spoon, The Clash, Phoenix
Influences: The Smiths, Prince, The Shins

Performances in front of thousands at the Groovin’ the Moo festival and the national Make Poverty History
concert, sold out shows in iconic interstate venues supporting some of the country’s best bands, a swag of
new recordings and a debut video on the way – 2010 has been the culmination of a busy couple of years
for Canberra indie-poppers Hancock Basement.
Formed on ANU campus and named after an infamous uni lovespot, the band spawned from a chance
meeting of four very different minds (sample subjects: Archaeology, Design, Law) united by their outwardly
cool record collections and closet love of pop music. The lads swiftly gained a reputation for their, ahem,
spirited live shows and were soon opening for acts like the Presets, Cut Off Your Hands, Datarock, the
Sleepy Jackson and Operator Please.
The group next decamped to Bigjesusburger Studios to record with Berkfinger (Philadelphia Grand Jury),
Jorden Brebach (Dappled Cities) and Chris Townend (Silverchair,) and the resulting recordings saw them
take out triple j’s Trackside Unearthed competition, with the track ‘Hey Kids’ added to rotation. A double
A-side 7” vinyl ensued, and included the winning song and the glorious 'Don Juan’ (which made it to the
semi-finals of the International Songwriting competition).
The autobiographical 'Oh, Todd' followed shortly after, as did mammoth touring up and down the east coast
of Australia taking in festivals and supports for bands including Bluejuice, Bertie Blackman, John Steel
Singers and Wolf & Cub. Thanks to the band's appearance on an 'Artists to Watch' compilation in the US,
which featured the likes of rap renegade Kid Cudi, the tracks were added to multiple US college radio
stations and blogs.
Knuckling down with hip-hop/RnB producer D’Opus (of D'Opus and Roshambo) and Ben Garden from
electro masterminds Grafton Primary, Hancock Basement has been recording brand new material that
takes a fresh look at its trademark big ‘n’ bouncy indie-pop sound. Keep your eyes peeled for the first taste,
'One in a Million Does', and the band's accompanying debut music video (http://vimeo.com/14629255),
as well as a live recording of the boys performing their blistering show at a packed Northcote Social Club in
Melbourne.
HANCOCK BASEMENT has played festivals with the likes of VAMPIRE WEEKEND, EMPIRE OF THE
SUN, SILVERCHAIR, CUT COPY, GOTYE and SPOON and have supported artists including THE
PRESETS, BLUEJUICE, THE SLEEPY JACKSON, BERTIE BLACKMAN, WASHINGTON, OPERATOR
PLEASE, DATAROCK, CUT OFF YOUR HANDS, THE SCARE, DIGITALISM, YOUTH GROUP, JOHN
STEEL SINGERS, YOUNG & RESTLESS, THE BASICS, SOFT TIGERS and many more.

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Played on triple j Played on digital radio One in a Million Does
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Download mp3 - 2.51 mb
Played on triple j Hey Kids
Rate
Download mp3 - 2.68 mb
Played on triple j We Started Something '09
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Download mp3 - 2.16 mb

reviews

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We Started Something '09
rating:  3/5
Saxophone? Really? I guess this is what the kids are into these days. But an alto? Sounds a little bit like Acker Bilk dropped by and recorded it whe...
triplej



Hey Kids
rating:  4/5
now as a fan of dr seuss - i adore your pic hehehehe now to the music - love it, happy catchy and good original vibe
triplej



Hey Kids
rating:  4/5
Upbeat indie pop with lots of great guitar melodies, catchy hooks, a solid rhythm section and enough unexpected chord changes to keep it fresh.
triplej



Hey Kids
rating:  4/5
The Best ever. School Car Park Pick up and drop off song. To escape with.... WTG. Thank you. So very well put together too.



more reviews