MEN WITHOUT HATS
PLAY VINTAGE ‘80S GEAR ON NEW SONGS AND OLD HATS
Canadian band Men Without Hats has been a staple on commercial radio for over 20 years with their hits “The Safety Dance” and “Pop Goes the World.” Their synthy, electronic sound synonymous with the ‘80s and their commercial success translates further than their radio hits would have you believe. Men Without Hats have a following of hardcore, new wave fans old and new that have been championing their lesser-known catalog for years. Actively touring with their new album Love in the Age of War, Men Without Hats will be bringing their brand of synthesizer-based electronic dance music to the HiFi Club for an ‘80’s Halloween dance party.
The idea of a new album and corresponding tour may sound like a good idea on paper, but one may wonder what to expect. Often it can be disappointing to see a favourite band if they play only new material, but Ivan Doroschuk, the Hat’s founding member, puts those fears to rest. “I love playing my back catalog now, I guess enough years have gone by that I’m not so close to it anymore. The current show is a mixture of Greatest Hats and the new album, Love in the Age of War.”
As for the sound of the new album, many of the same vintage synthesizers used to make Rhythm of Youth (the album with their bit hit, “The Safety Dance”) were also used in the making of Love in the Age of War. The band and producer Dave Ogilvie wanted to make the albums similar in mood and tone. “Dave and I went into this project with the idea of making it sound like it was recorded the week after Safety Dance,” says Doroschuk.
In the wake of the new album and a tour with The Human League it can be said that the Hats are back with no plans of slowing down. “We just got back from Costa Rica and Peru, we’re going across Canada and the United States and then we’ll be off to Europe in the New Year,” says the Hats’ front man.
In terms of upcoming plans, the band’s number one priority is “shows, shows and more shows.” In addition to the tour with The Human League, Men Without Hats have upcoming shows planned with other ‘80’s chart-toppers such as Bow Wow Wow. When asked about adding contemporary acts to a Hats’ tour, Doroschuk said, “Touring with the Human League was a lot of fun, but I’m easy! I’d tour with you if it made sense.”
With the promise of new material complimenting with greatest “Hats’” hits, HiFi is the place to be for those looking for something a bit different this Halloween.
Check out Men Without Hats with opener Teddy Celebration Saturday, Oct. 27 at the HiFi Club.
By: Kayla Graham
