NHL Music Scene: Shake it Up

Like a 2000 automobile with a vibrating steering wheel and uneven tire wear, the NHL needed to realign its divisions. The league also needs to reinvent the in– game music experience. Boston needs more Cars, and the NHL needs more of what DJ T. Campbell does in the Motor City.

Like Campbell, the marketing department at the Staples Center is on the right track; the Los Angeles Kings ask their fans to vote for the music, and they publish the playlist. So too, do the New York Rangers; the musical lineup sometimes includes Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”

Why don’t other teams ask their fans what they want to hear, or least consider giving “Crazy Train” (sorry, Ozzie) and Black Betty (no disrespect, Ram Jam) a rest?

To jazz things up in each of the NHL’s arenas, I propose that each home team not only provide a forum, an app or whatever to prompt fans for input but to also that they play tunes that pay homage to the locals. Kind of like the restaurant scene these days, the local farm–to–fork movement. Big name bands and lesser-known indie groups would all get airplay.

I dig the notion that music is a universal connector, so why not provide fans with alternatives, and not just alternative rock. Or jock rock. Or hair bands. Give the in–game music mavens a chance to mix their own music and collaborate with fans.

Let’s start with the Atlantic Division.

Boston Bruins: My proposition is almost as simple as A–B–C. I’m talking about Aerosmith, Boston and the aforementioned Cars. No other arena gets to play “Sweet Emotion,” “More Than a Feeling” or “Shake it Up.” Territorial rights is, I believe, a start. How about infusing the arena with what Boston–based band The Heartsleeves calls “neoeclectic soul.” Lead singer Jared Lucas Nathanson wrote a song about the New England Patriots, so I’m confident he could submit a hockey fan- friendly tune to the Bruins, if only that online opportunity was available. A song or two from Western Mass: Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, anyone? I recommend “The Bear.” Or back closer to Boston, consider Nancy Beaudette. “When the Last Whistle Blows” isn’t about referees or hockey, but it’s upbeat and her voice is “Something Beautiful.”

Buffalo Sabres: I love the Goo Goo Dolls—went to their concert in Manchester, NH a few weeks ago. Great show.  But “Slide,” “Better Days” and the Buffalo band’s latest, “Rebel Beat,” should not be played in the TD Garden or anywhere else but in the First Niagara Center. How about Natalie Merchant, born in Jamestown, NY? She isn’t known for any raucous, raise-the-roof kind of music, but it would be nICE if 19,070 Sabres fans were treated to a 10,000 Maniacs song, maybe a melody from Campfire Songs? Or a sentimental song, say “Reilly,” from Attica, NY’s Penny Whiskey?

Detroit Red Wings: I’ve never been to “the Joe,” so I couldn’t tell you if “Wango Tango” or other stuff by Ted Nugent, a.k.a., “The Motor City Madman” is played. I imagine Mr. Campbell is way ahead of me here. Has Octopus Al (the Red Wings mascot) put feelers out to the local college music scene? Maybe a nascent garage band could be featured once a month.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Great job with barefoot hockey video featuring “Footloose” (and grand color commentary that includes references to Adam Foote and Toe Blake). Play your BNL and Bryan Adams, for sure, but give your fans a voice when it comes to music choice. I suggest Silvergun and Spleen or another “Band of the Day” listed at TorontoMusicScene.ca.

Florida: Tough call on who gets to play Gloria Estefan and/or the Miami Sound Machine. Maybe both the Panthers as the Lightning both call Central Florida home. Who claims Tom Petty and Sister Hazel, both with roots in Gainesville? I do know the team in Sunrise publishes its playlist. The Panthers might look southwest to its in–state rivals for guidance on in–game entertainment, however: The team in Tampa has a music man, Sean Bovelksy. I’ve not yet been to a game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum (or the BB&T Center in Sunrise), but I bet Mr. Bovelksy has a good beat on things.

Montreal Canadiens: “Shippin’ Up to Boston” or anything else by the Dropkick Murphys ought to be outlawed at le Centre Bell. Habs fans have a forum (but not a Forum) to discuss their musical tastes, but the marketing department for Les Glorieux doesn’t appear to post playlists. I like what “Stevo” at AllHabs.Net had going in 2010 but would like to see more initiative from the team. For example, the Canadiens could play Claude Cormier’s song, “Mon Hockey,” at least until Quebec City gets a team. Perhaps Puckbite (happy third anniversary, J. –P.) can offer further insight or recommend a song or artist, but I’m all for hoisting the Cranes into the musical spotlight. I believe in “Believe.”

Ottawa Senators: Not to be upstaged by DJ Campbell or Mr. Bovelsky, Alex Marchand has a good thing going in O–Town. Fans can request songs via Twitter. How many have requested Hall & Oates’s “You Make My Dreams Come True,” quite possibly the greatest get-your-groove-thing-a-going song of all time. But rules is rules. Daryl and John hail from Philly, so the Flyers would lay stake to “Private Eyes, “Wait for Me” and Sara Smile.

More on the Flyers and other teams later.

Toronto Entertainment Mashup: Eddie Shack/Bruce Bell

Clear the Track/A Story to Tell/Here Comes Shack/Ring the Bell

Eddie Shack, whose antics prompted Douglas Rankine and the Secrets to sing about the beloved Toronto Maple Leaf, and Bruce Bell, Toronto’s accredited his-storyteller: Their paths originate in Sudbury, ON and their passions converge.

Shack, born in 1937—eighteen years before Bell—left his hometown for Guelph, where he played for the Biltimores in the Ontario Hockey League. In 1957, he graduated from the OHL to the American Hockey League to perform for the Providence Reds. A year later, he ascended to the Show, as he joined the New York Rangers. Shack then took his hockey shtick and continued his tour with other NHL and minor-league teams including the Maple Leafs, Rochester Americans, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1973, he returned to Toronto. 

The same year that Shack rejoined the Leafs, Bruce Bell left Sudbury straight for the 416. A comedian, actor, and playwright, Bell toiled in the proverbial minor leagues of show business, in Toronto’s entertainment district. Never amassing a fortune yet enjoying the gigs, Bell realized that his reputation as a top-tier Toronto performer was taking root. 

Eddie “the Entertainer” played two seasons in the Leafs organization to end his hockey career. Although retired from the NHL, Shack turned to acting. He starred in TV commercials for the Pop Shoppe beverage brand and performed in a Schick razor promotion; the first star of that stunt was Shack’s massive moustache—shaved clean from his face. He let it grow back, of course, and continued his career in hockey show business. The four-time NHL All-star was often a fan favourite at NHL Alumni games. 

Meanwhile, Bell’s interest in continuing his diversified entertainment career waned. Oh, he still loved to perform, to tell stories. He merged his zest for entertaining with his love for Toronto—its history and architecture, its character and characters—and, in 2000, he incorporated Bruce Bell Tours. In 2004, he was appointed the honourary historian of the Hockey Hall of Fame Heritage Building.

Shack, who won four Stanley Cups with the Leafs, is not a member of the HHOF, but he still calls Toronto home. He still wears his Maple Leaf jacket as he walks through the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood where Bruce Bell conducts his one-of-a-kind tours.

update: June 18, 2012
Bruce Bell is the honourary historian of the Hockey Hall of Fame Heritage Building, not the Hockey Hall of Fame, as orginally posted. I apologize for the error.

Pucks and Panko: Hockey (and Donuts) in the Pacific Rim

February 12, 2012

Konnichiwa hockey fans.

While many Canadians celebrate Hockey Day in Canada—the World Pond Hockey Championships in New Brunswick and CBC broadcasts from Prince Edward Island—in the Great White North, ex-pat Jay La Morre lives the hockey (and donut) dream in Chiba, Japan as his line scores four goals (even though his team lost).

Win or lose, La Morre loves the game as much or more as when he was a kid.

A Ken Dryden fan who grew up in Toronto and who says via email that he was “brainwashed into liking a losing team at an early age,” visited Japan in 1986 and then again in ‘87 because his father was living there. A year later, the young man who as a second grader in 1972 had watched the Summit Series with his classmates, moved to Japan. He planned to stay only a few years.

“And here I am, still here with one wife and two kids,” says the forty-something and commercial success.

In a country where hockey had yet to find a foothold, La Morre missed the action. “Thought I'd never play again,” he says, “but met a guy who is an ice hockey guy and I started again in 1998.”

Fourteen years later, he has encountered players who have grown to love the game as much as he does. La Morre, who is a twenty-minute trip away from Aquarink Chiba, says that although he speaks Japanese well enough, he and other English-speakers have concocted anglicized nicknames for other players.

“Grampa Hockey” is one such character. La Morre says of the old-timer who has since passed away, “He would come to the rink on his bike with all the gear and the coolest thing was his little radio he had in the carrier on the front. All decked out for AM radio sounds for the ride home.

“Another very interesting fellow is a relatively new guy, Kats B! Believe it or not, he is Kenyan. Educated at some of the very best schools in England and the USA. Extremely bright guy. He took up hockey less than a year ago and is starting to get somewhat good at it considering he's been skating for less than a year. He counts the amount of times he's been out to hockey. He's up to over 30 now!”

Like Kats B (the roots of his nickname perhaps a story for another day), Japanese players tend to become obsessed with hockey. La Morre says, “In case you didn't know when a person in Japan is involved with some kind of hobby, sport or whatever, that's all they do. Put a lot of time and effort into it and get really good at it.”

The better players might earn a tryout with the amateur Tokyo Canadians, or in the professional Asia League Ice Hockey. Most players like La Morre, however, won’t be recruited by the Nikko Ice Bucks and won’t likely become the next Gordie “Hockey-san” Howe or Takahito Suzuki.

Those who play are passionate, of course. But, says La Morre, hockey is still a minor sport in Japan.

The game we love doesn’t even receive honourable mention at Wikipedia’s page about Japan, and pucksters play in but half-dozen or so indoor venues.

Donuts shops are more prevalent than ice surfaces. The circular confections are almost as popular as panko or sake. Although Mister Donut (and to a lesser extent, Dunkin’ Donuts) are alive and well in Japan, Krispy Kreme is king.

“When they opened here about five years ago,” LaMorre says (and he swears he’s not kidding), “people would line up for hours to buy them. Mostly ladies, young ones. Japanese women get really excited about cake and sweet stuff!!” He adds that the Japanese word for “donut” is donut.

According to Google Translate, the same goes for hockey.

Hockey and donuts: No matter the language we use to identify them, or wherever they’re played or served—Plaster Rock or Charlottetown, Chiba or Edogawa—they make us happy.