Goodbye Honolulu

Nothing quite thrills like pop music.

But Toronto group Goodbye Honolulu have found a way to improve on this formula: add heaps of fuzz, spit, and attitude.

New EP 'No Honey' drops on September 1st, and it picks up where those debauched live shows leave off.

Just about containing their feral energy, the lo-fi production is allied to some serious pop hooks, and only the most righteous of riffs.

Clash is able to premiere snotty new cut 'Back To Me', a real fuzzed out garage ripper that actually stems from a pretty persona place.

Jacob Switzer explains: "'Back To Me' stemmed from when I [Jacob] first started getting panic attacks and I was feeling super whack and would do anything to get back to feeling normal again. And then we wrote a song about it. That’s it basically. Trying to get back to yourself."
Tune in now.

https://soundcloud.com/goodbye-honolulu/back-to-me-1 - Clash

Since releasing their debut LP Heavy Gold in 2015, garage rockers Goodbye Honolulu have been dropping a steady stream of singles, including this year's "Mother to a Brother" and "Typical," in addition to running label Fried Records, regularly hosting shows and promoting Toronto talent. Plus, the band's Fox Martindale got a pretty stellar co-sign from Tyler, the Creator, who called Martindale "the musician [he finds] the most attractive looking." - Exclaim!

Goodbye Honolulu, “Typical”

Single (Fried Records)
RIYL: Geographical dislocation

There’s no evidence that this Toronto garage band has been anywhere near Oahu, but put that aside. Produced by ex-OLP guitarist Mike Turner, these four guys who met in high school (and played in five different bands) before coming together to form this band and to establish their own indie label.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gccZGgKazDc - 102.1 The Edge

Goodbye Honolulu release their EP No Honey, on September 1st, via Fried Records. Today, the band shares the lead-single and video for “Typical. Goodbye Honolulu, play their next show on June 21st in Montreal, Quebec. The band are psyched to hit the road again, after supporting their pals, Hinds on a lengthy tour. The guys have also done multiple Canadian tours on their own sharing the stage with
The Black Lips, Sebadoh, SWMRS, The Memories and loads more!

Quote from band:

“No Honey came about, after meeting Mike (Turner) through a few mutual friends a few years back. He dug us and we fell for him immediately, so we started coming by his studio at night when it wasn’t busy and started hashing out the songs that would eventually become No Honey. A bond formed between Mike and us, and he really allowed us to create a big sounding group of songs that captured the energy of the live set perfectly, while also using the studio to our advantage and adding instruments and effects that we hadn’t had the chance to experiment with before this. He also had a really nice fancy espresso machine, that made one hell of a cup. That really opened our eyes to the finer things in life and we love him most for that.”

Quote from the video director Ingrid Veninger

“I’ve been working exclusively in features and it was so liberating to direct this music video. I love the sound of GOODBYE HONOLULU. With the melancholy feel of this track, the first image I saw in my head was the band playing on a winter beach in the bright sun, dressed in yellow rain ponchos. Next came the idea of shooting infrared and wide-screen. And who doesn’t like a little time-lapse? We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. I hope the images serve the song and capture some of the band’s awesome playful energy.” - Northern Transmissions

Good news: Toronto-based garage-rockers Goodbye Honolulu are set to drop a new EP this September. No Honey was produced by Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace) and will see the light of day via the band's own Fried Records, a 100% local label.

Look, September is about 52 years away, so the foursome decided to share a new song called 'Typical', whose visuals we're very, very happy to premiere today. Featuring a slight stoner vibe -- a perfect companion to the laid-back guitar jangling of the tune -- the clip displays a distinctive Beck-on-Mellow-Gold coolness while making a definite fashion statement with the yellow rain ponchos.

"I've been working exclusively in features and it was so liberating to direct this music video," explains director Ingrid Veninger. "I love the sound of GOODBYE HONOLULU. With the melancholy feel of this track, the first image I saw in my head was the band playing on a winter beach in the bright sun, dressed in yellow rain ponchos. Next came the idea of shooting infrared and wide-screen. And who doesn't like a little time-lapse? We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. I hope the images serve the song and capture some of the band's awesome playful energy."

Watch the video below. No Honey is out on September 1st.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gccZGgKazDc - The 405

Toronto's Goodbye Honolulu may fall into the "slacker rock" category, but they're hard workers when it comes to churning out new tunes. The band's latest release will arrive next week with a single called "Mother to a Brother," but Exclaim! is giving you the first listen to the song, along with the first look at its brand new accompanying video, right now.

The Ben Roberts- and Jaek Eastcott-directed clip is a vintage-looking homage to partying like a rockstar, complete with sparklers, a piñata, pink satin jackets and plenty of beer.

"We drew inspiration from rock'n'roll folklore, and the infamous hotel parties that were thrown back in the good ol' days," the band tell Exclaim! "The video's like a hangover, it leaves you with a lasting taste in your mouth, a sweet, sweaty, beer soaked taste that lingers long into the next day."

"Mother to a Brother" will get released on January 27 through Goodbye Honolulu's own Fried Records label, and the band will be celebrating with a show that same night at Toronto's Smiling Buddha.

First, watch the video for "Mother to a Brother" below and grab the single here. - Exclaim!

Goodbye Honolulu are makin' a name for themselves with their garage-pop tunes these days. They keep the fuzz turned up without losing any of their catchy hooks and vocals. If the guitar licks don't keep you interested then the group vocals will. You won't be bored listening to these tunes. Goodbye Honolulu will be releasing a brand new single this Friday and the Release Party goes down at The Smiling Buddha with Wine Lips and Ruthless Ones. For now enjoy their most recent single "Codeine" - Kris Gies - The Deli

At the Goodbye Honolulu band meeting:

“We should make a video.”
“Will we be in the video?”
“Yes, dressed like Spacehog and chugging Pabst.”

There’s a lot of beer being forced down people’s throats at this party, but the victims don’t seem to be complaining about it. A lot of awkward kissing, too (after the beer, one would assume).

“Mother To A Brother” is released as a single, tomorrow. Goodbye Honolulu dropped their Heavy Gold debut last year.

-Scott Bryson - The Telescope

“Hey, what’s this band called?”
“Goodbye Honolulu!”, I eagerly, and breathlessly, said at last week’s sold out Hinds show at Bowery Ballroom. Eagerly, because someone else saw the greatness in them, and breathlessly because I didn’t stop dancing for a second during their set.

Toronto quartet Goodbye Honolulu is as addicting as their latest track, “Codeine.” With a couple of singles under their belt, Jacob, Max, Emmett, and Fox have given us nothing but hard-hitting bangers. The infinite amount of electrifying energy and Canadian charm they grace the stage with is undeniable, and definitely surpasses all expectations.

Goodbye Honolulu‘s “Codeine” is light in sound, but heavy in meaning. The anthemic catchiness of the track is drenched with pop sensibility, with a garage rock feel. - Cereal and Sounds

Goodbye Honolulu introduced the crowd to infectious and sassy pop-punk. Though their name indicates otherwise, Goodbye Honolulu doesn’t sound like Luau music – the singer’s Hawaiian tee is as island as they are. Funnily enough, the band have an outro that repeats “Goodbye Honolulu” over and over; fair play and excellent branding, gentlemen. - The Radical

Goodbye Honolulu just makes you feel good! Close your eyes and go for it! "Mother To A Brother” grabs you by the hips and gets your tambourines shakin'! They are a wave of garage pop melodies with a heavy bounce in its step. Killer no-frills vocal that has bold moves and brotherly harmonies that leave a lasting impression. See them with Zeus Friday February 27 @ The Opera House hosted by Jonnyland. - The Deli Magazine

Whats up all you “A Music Bog, Yea?” readers!
We are Goodbye Honolulu! It’s a pleasure getting cozy with y’all!

The Honolulu boys consist of Fox (Guitar/Bass/Vocals), Jacob (Guitar/Bass/Vocals), Max “Bonehead” (Drums), & Emmett (Guitar/Bass/Vocals). Our sound is consistently in the style of Garage Rock but when you got four different dudes writing the tunes- the influence and sound tend to vary- which we find fun as hell and super exciting, and honestly more intriguing for you guys- the listeners!

We’ve released three songs to date (“Mother To A Brother”, “No Fear” and “Bum Me Out”), and got a pretty crazy sounding full length album getting it’s final touches in the lab right now! The album was produced by local legend/ Producer John Switzer and features 8 songs (recorded live off the floor at Orchard Studios). We feel that the record is a perfect snapshot of what we’re doing right now and we’re just honestly reeeeally excited to finally share it with all the homies!

We release all our music and videos- as well as all our friends music through our own independent record label, Fried Records, which is run and operated by all the dudes in the band as well as a few close friends! If anyone would like us to put out their music, all you gotta do is find us on Facebook and send us a message! Believe us- we love hearing and releasing similar music more than anything!

We are currently gigging a ton in Toronto with plans to tour Canada and wherever else as soon as we can! You can find all our most up-to-date info on Goodbye Honolulu’s Facebook page/Tumblr Page, hear all our music on our BandCamp page, check out all our pictures on our Instagram page and peep all our self-made music videos on Fried Record’s YouTube channel! We hope to see you guys at an upcoming gig getting sweaty and crazy and we’ll have our new album for all your ears very very soon!

You guys were mad cozy! Thanks for cozying up with us!

We’re Goodbye Honolulu, we’ll see you guys soon! - A Music Blog, Yea?

Photos: Sebadoh and Goodbye Honolulu @ Lee’s Palace - A Music Blog, Yea?

GoodBye Honolulu: Can’t go wrong with a band that plays early Weezer-like 90s garage rock that’s slightly more on the punk side in hawaiian shirts, right?! We went to the show not really knowing what to expect and we all left pleasantly surprised. These guys were tight, had amazing vocals and were just a blast to watch. - Naked Underground MTL

Good news: Toronto-based garage-rockers Goodbye Honolulu are set to drop a new EP this September. No Honey was produced by Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace) and will see the light of day via the band's own Fried Records, a 100% local label.

Look, September is about 52 years away, so the foursome decided to share a new song called 'Typical', whose visuals we're very, very happy to premiere today. Featuring a slight stoner vibe -- a perfect companion to the laid-back guitar jangling of the tune -- the clip displays a distinctive Beck-on-Mellow-Gold coolness while making a definite fashion statement with the yellow rain ponchos.

"I've been working exclusively in features and it was so liberating to direct this music video," explains director Ingrid Veninger. "I love the sound of GOODBYE HONOLULU. With the melancholy feel of this track, the first image I saw in my head was the band playing on a winter beach in the bright sun, dressed in yellow rain ponchos. Next came the idea of shooting infrared and wide-screen. And who doesn't like a little time-lapse? We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. I hope the images serve the song and capture some of the band's awesome playful energy."

Watch the video below. No Honey is out on September 1st.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gccZGgKazDc - The 405

Goodbye Honolulu partied like rock stars in the clip for "Mother to a Brother" earlier this year, and now the Toronto-based four-piece are ready to unveil a full EP's worth of rock'n'roll jams.

No Honey features the aforementioned ode to vintage musical stylings, as well as four other new cuts. It kicks off with the thumping bass line of "Back to Me," before showing off their punk-tinged garage rock aesthetic on "Where You Wanna Go" and "Bloody Hands." It all wraps up with "Typical" — though their blend of grungy noise, riffs and melodies is anything but.

The band started working on the EP back in early 2016, recording on off hours at their "dear friend, super producer and ultimate vibes creator" Mike Turner's studio.

"The name comes from not having that good stuff in your life, but acknowledging it and working towards it," the band tell Exclaim! "It's about the struggle to get where you want to be, and the positivity in that."

Let the good vibes wash over you by giving No Honey an advance listen down below. It's officially out via the band's own Fried Records on September 1, and you can find their upcoming shows listed below, as well.

Tour dates:

08/31 Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha (record release)
09/07 Peterborough, ON - Trent University
09/14 Montreal, QC - L'Escogriffe (Pop Montreal)
09/23 Hamilton, ON - The Casbah
10/18 St Catharines, ON - The Warehouse *
10/19 Montreal, QC - Divan Orange *
10/20 Ottawa, ON - Pressed *

* with Billy Moon - Exclaim!

Having been to the Fairmount Theater before for different kinds of corporate events and parties, I was intrigued to see how they were going to set it up for a musical concert. Curiosity got the best of me, and I found myself outside the venue 45 minutes before the first act.

While I am the first to admit that I like to be early, this was a stretch even for me.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not alone. There were people at the bar and people sitting on the corners of the stage hanging out. These, my friends, are SUPER FANS.

Upon asking them if they have heard of any of the opening acts, as I have not, shock rippled over their faces one by one. I stood there overtly embarrassed by their reaction while making them promises to download the artists’ respective music and shyly backed away. However, the set up for the concert was pleasantly intimate, making my “backing away” pretty futile. There was nowhere to hide from their disbelief.

My saving grace was when Goodbye Honolulu walked onto the stage. I was immediately forgotten and the attention of the super fans was on the four young men with matching burgundy bomber jackets. Not knowing what to expect I took to Google quickly and learned from their Bandcamp page that they classed themselves as “Rock ‘N’ Roll from Toronto, Canada” (Yay Canada!).

They started their set with “Bum Me Out” from their album Heavy Gold and truly rocked out, getting the crowd pumped. “Codeine” followed, a single released in 2016, another catchy melody that could be the opening song to a movie.

Goodbye Honolulu continued their set playing “Back To Me”, “Mother To A Brother”, “Where You Wanna Go”, and “Typical”, from their most current album “No Honey”. I enjoyed their set and currently have their song “Typical” stuck in my head as I write this, however, I feel as if a new genre of music needs be created for them as their music feels pop-indie-meets-rock’n’roll-alternative.

Next up was Miya Folick. Sporting a neon floral pattern skirt and matching jacket with a black crop top underneath, she walked onto the stage smiling. She was fixing her mic stand and in a soft sweet voice she says to the sparse crowd, “It’s nicer when people come closer, but maybe I have to inspire you first”.

She parted her lips and sang her very first note. I got closer, as the rest of the crowd did; we were all immediately inspired by her. Not the super fans though; they were front and center and singing along already having been inspired by her for years.

The best description I can give on her voice, as it was the first thought that came to my mind when I heard her, was that she sings like a mermaid. Or at least what a mermaid would sound like if they existed.

While I didn’t have a set list for her and try as I might, I still can’t find the names of a few of the songs that she played, her songs were different from one another; from sounds to beats and to her vocals. She reminds me of Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco all rolled up in one. Her voice is so versatile and her range is incredible while her lyrics are simple but moving. “Oceans” was played from her first EP “Strange Darling” while the rest of the songs; “Trouble Adjusting”, “Give It To Me” and “Woodstock” (A Joni Mitchell cover! Ha!) came from her most current album “Give It To Me”, released in 2017. Miya Folick is definitely one we should keep our eyes on!

Kate Nash’s band got to the stage and I was personally so happy to see an all-female band. Couldn’t see Kate though until she popped up in the middle! Donning a full snakeskin jumpsuit with a pair of dangling red fuzzy earrings, a tiara in her hair, and that beautiful smile, the crowd took one look at her and simply went wild. While she changed the order of her setlist ever so slightly, she officially started with “Play” from her first album “Made of Bricks” released in 2007.

She then puts on white rimmed cat-eye glasses with pink tints and it was time for “Life in Pink”, the first song on her new album “Yesterday Was Forever”, released a few short weeks ago. Her energy was so infectious and those who weren’t dancing yet, certainly were at this point!

“Dickhead”, a cult favorite from her first album, begs the question “Why are you being a dickhead for?”. I didn’t know many of Kate Nash songs before this concert but was quickly becoming a fan. In the middle of the song she politely asked the crowd to “put your hands in the air, put your phone down and sing after me please” everyone obliged while she yelled the lyrics over and over. She thanked us for joining in; “Thanks, that was helpful. Still working through shit, you know?”. “Of course, we do!!!” answered a fan. Honestly, though, don’t we all?

“Agenda”, from her 2017 EP of the same name, took me by surprise; it’s as if there are three different songs in this one song. There is a charged spoken word, a soft hook and then an angry chorus, which I believe aptly embodies Kate Nash, the forever teenager; honest, angry, confused, happy, innocent, sweet and insecure. The honesty in her lyrics is sincerely one of my favorite features. She doesn’t create stories – she speaks her mind. She also giggles while she sings.

Next up was “We Get On” and “Mariella” both from her first album followed by “Twisted Up” and “Musical Theater” from her newest album. The latter, she explained, was a song on mental health and “to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength”.

I was surprised how many songs she sang from her first album, however, she truly appreciates her fans and gives them what they want; my superfan friends asked her to play a song that was not on the setlist for the evening. So, she did. The song is called “Free My Pussy”, from her 2013 album “Girl Talk”. What happened next was slightly unfortunate.

At the end of the song, in that 3-second window of silence as she is taking a sip of water, a man yells out from the crowd (standing pretty close to the super fans) “I’m cumming in pants right now”. All of our heads turned to the left. One of the super fans started berating him and Kate intervened;

“This is a safe space. It may be a question of him not knowing that statements like that can make a girl uncomfortable, even a girl on stage”. Us, the people in the back couldn’t hear him at this point as he was directly talking to Kate now. She genuinely responded, “I am not attacking you, this is a safe space for everyone”. The super fans had her back. He stormed off through the crowd and left.

She was visibly disappointed and her energy faltered a bit afterwards. She has great stage presence; jumping, covering every inch of that stage, and for the next song, “Nicest Thing” from her first album, she was demure. The super fans weren’t having any of it. They made sure to give a lot of love and the rest of the crowd followed suit; someone tossed a stuffed animal in Kate’s direction, which she caught and happily snuggled.

Back to her upbeat self for “Always Shining” and “Hate You” from the new 2018 album, she ended her set with “Foundations”, the first song that put her on the map. Never disappointing her fans, she came back for her encore while the crowd was chanting her name and stomping their feet.

As Kate and her bandmates were taking their final bows with linked arms and being their sweet silly selves, one of the super fans yelled “Please come back to Montreal” I assume in fear that the incident would deter her in the future. She smiled back and said she will. We will be waiting Kate!

Review – Leora Shammas
Photos – Arianne Bergeron - Montreal Rocks

Don’t wear heavy layers to a Goodbye Honolulu concert. That was the main lesson that I learned at their Rock N Roll Fantasy show on April 26.

The evening commenced with openers Miss World and Mother Tongues playing to a laid-back audience at Hard Luck Bar. It felt like both acts were experimenting on stage more than playing structured songs as if this was the sound-check and not the performance. The openers were raw and chaotic, lending a juvenile and underground feel to the show.

As we waited in between acts, Goodbye Honolulu band members were seen floating around the venue, cheerfully greeting friends and rushing to change their clothes. Nothing was stopping anyone from going up and chatting with them. There was no barrier between the act and the audience; it was refreshing to see rock musicians who didn’t feel the need to hide behind a detached façade.

Their intimate show took place against a crafty backdrop of lights that spelt out their name. Before their set, the atmosphere had been very relaxed; but suddenly, as their opening song began, a whirlpool of hard-core fans opened up in the middle of the pit. Flannel-wearing teenagers along with older, Black Keys-clad fans moshed to every single word that Goodbye Honolulu shouted from the stage. There were two entertaining performances to witness that night: the one on stage and the one on the floor. Both of them commanded the same vigorous, pulsating energy.

The first time I saw Goodbye Honolulu— when they opened for punk rock band SWMRS in December— I was surprised by how much energy they had. They seemed like the definition of “cool”. That same energy was present at the Hard Luck Bar, but on a more attainable and connective level. Their members asserted their position as a cool indie rock outfit from Toronto, but also as people that you could lovingly call “dorks”. They went on mini-rants after each song, messed around with each other, and openly talked to the audience. At one point in the night, they roasted the venue as the Bar made people under 19 pay to use the coat check and charged everyone for water. In response to this injustice, they went backstage and grabbed their water bottles and handed them out to thirsty moshers. They screamed out “fuck Nestle” and turned their concert into a statement.

Suddenly, Goodbye Honolulu became that band on the block. The band that inspires you to go thrifting and don some Hawaiian shirts, just so you can match with their on-stage aesthetic. The band whose name is plastered as the opener for so many acts in Toronto, recently for Kate Nash and soon for The Beaches and Hinds, because the whole world apparently already knows how fun their performances are. The one you chat with after the show and later on pretend that you’re friends with, in order to raise your indie cred around the city. If ever there was a movie about the Toronto music scene, Goodbye Honolulu would be its soundtrack. - Demo Magazine