Fireside Chat

Deerhoof

Polyvinyl, USA

Since 1995 Deerhoof have released eleven albums of unflinchingly idiosyncratic psychedelic sounds. The band formed in 1994 as a two-piece made up of bass guitarist Rob Fisk and drummer Greg Saunier, and released several EPs of heavily distorted instrumental rock. It was in 1996 that Deerhoof truly found their sound when Japanese vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki joined the band, her unique singing style adding just the right ingredient to the duo's experimental music. Fisk quit the band before briefly rejoining in 1997 for the release of Deerhoof’s debut album 'The Man, The King, The Girl' on Kill Rock Stars. Fisk's second departure following the release of the band’s follow-up album 'Holdypaws' in 1999 paved the way for a number of different line-ups and experiments with a number of different styles, from the polished electronica of the 'Reveille' album in 2002, to the playful tones of 'Offend Maggie' in 2008, and the frenetic pop sound of 'Deerhoof Vs Evil' in 2011. Even after leaving their spiritual home in San Francisco and scattering across cities on two continents and a highly disorienting array of side projects, Deerhoof has kept a singular artistic voice, remaining one of the most strikingly original and influential bands on the planet.