Guts of The Ice - An Exploration of "Puck" Rock/Hockey-core #9: D.D. Hextall, Jimmy The Con, Nikki Stixx & Jeremy "J.J." Justice (The Hextalls)
Not entirely unlike Wrestle/Wrassle Rap or Basketball Rap, there's, apparently, a whole sub-genre of hockey-themed Punk/Hardcore—oftentimes, referred to as "Puck" Rock or Hockey-core. Yes, I've been a die-hard fan of Punk/Hardcore for 15+ years and I, too, only first heard about Puck Rock within the last few weeks. Although, once I started diggin' around, I discovered about 10-15 bands at the forefront; this was, then, gradually narrowed down to 10 "front-line" bands, which will be chronicled here over the course of coming weeks. The "top-scoring" bands we selected include: Crippled Youth, SLAPSHOT, The Hanson Brothers/Nomeansno, Two Man Advantage, The Boils, D.O.A. THE ZAMBONIS, Pansy Division, The Hextalls, and THE RAMOMS' "Gritty Is A Punk" flexi-disc. We sent out a short 6-question interview form to all of the aforementioned bands, received some back, heard a few choice words, and still have yet to hear from a few more. We'll be running those interviews, as well as features, profiles, etc. in the coming weeks. EDITOR'S NOTE: be warned, while I'm a casual hockey fan, I DO NOT claim to be an "expert" on the sport, nor will I EVER claim to know "everything" about hockey-themed Punk/Hardcore. Now, let's just try to have some fun and learn more about the sub-genre together!
D.D. Hextall, Jimmy The Con, Nikki Stixx, and Jeremy "J.J." Justice are a band of merry misfits better known as The Hextalls. Formed in 1998 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, The Hextalls have played extensively all over Canada with bands like Dillinger Four, D.O.A. Guttermouth, CHIXDIGGIT! SNFU, Groovie Ghoulies, and Riff Randals. The Hextalls' name itself is a reference to beloved Flyers goaltender and, eventually, General Manager, Ron Hextall, who, also, played with The Quebec Nordiques and The New York Islanders. However, in 2003, D.D. Jimmy, Nikki & Jeremy moved apart, while the members pursued other things, like American girlfriends, school, and other projects, such as marriage (Nikki & Jimmy got married!) A few years later, in 2007, The Hextalls re-formed, both geographically and musically, resulting in some touring and more records: Call It A Comeback, Get Smashed, Rock You to Sleep, and Play With Heart, all released back-to-back between 2008-15. We were fortunate enough, after numerous attempts... to reach out to The Hextalls' frontman Devin "D.D." Hextall, who, after a bit of friendly cross-checking, was able to wrangle up Jimmy The Con, Nikki Stixx & Jeremy "J.J." Justice for a full-band interview. The Hextalls, additionally, took it upon themselves to compile a rather mysterious 13-song Spotify playlist simply entitled "bing," which appears to consist of Jock Jams-style classics and rink-rousing Hockey Punk essentials.
Sincerely,
Matt "The Witzard" Horowitz
Puck Rock/Hardcore Purveyor
01. How did you first get into both hockey and Punk/Hardcore music?
D.D. Hextall: I was born in Canada and we had a television that only got two channels. Saturday nights were a big deal. I grew up on the 80's [Edmonton] Oilers every Saturday night. I got into Punk Rock because it's the best-sounding music of all the musics, by far, and, also, because "f**k the system" makes perfect sense.
Jimmy The Con: I used to watch hockey with my grandpa. He was a tough son of a b*tch; the kind of guy who, when he needed more room for his family, jacked up his own house and dug a basement. I looked up to that man and he watched hockey, so I watched hockey. I got into Punk Rock when my brother introduced me to Samiam as a teenager. And, then, [Green Day's] Dookie came out and everyone was into Punk Rock. Oh, and Rise Against was in one of the Tony Hawk['s Pro Skater] video games.
Nikki Stixx: We did have a great little scene in Kamloops [British Columbia, Canada]! I don't like hockey.
Jeremy "J.J." Justice: I never knew anything about hockey, aside from collecting cards for a hot minute in the 80's. I just met The Hextalls through Nicole and wanted to play music in that style. My introduction to Punk was my older sister taking me to see The Smalls at an all-ages venue when I was 12; Kamloops had a pretty great live music scene back then.
02. What made you decide to combine hockey and Punk/Hardcore stylings through music?
Hextall: From what I remember, nobody else in the band thought naming our band "The Punkrockers" was a good idea. Ron Hextall was my favorite all-time hockey player.
The Con: Devin did it.
03. For fans new to the "Puck" Rock/Hardcore sub-genre, which release(s) from throughout your discography would you recommend starting out with?
Hextall: I wouldn't recommend anything to anybody who likes Punk or Hardcore music. Except check out a band named An*l C*nt. Specifically, the Three's Company theme song.
The Con: Samiam - Astray, Rise Against - RPM [Revolutions per Minute,] Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come, and check out NOBRO because they WRECK live.
Stixx: Listen to Jeremy?
04. Aside from your own band's music, what other hockey-themed groups, releases, singles, etc. would you recommend, as well?
Hextall: I remember one of The Leftovers guys wearing a Tuukka Rask T-shirt with the arms ripped off. It was pretty hot. His arms weren't even anything to freak out about either. I mean better than my arms, for sure, but not like Big Poppa Pump or anything.
The Con: Other people write songs about hockey?
05. If still active, what are the future plans for your band? If currently inactive, do you have any immediate plans for any special re-issues or a proper reunion/comeback?
Hextall: We are currently separated in different countries, due to "the impending end of the world." After that's all over, we can, hopefully, record this song I have about swimming. Jeremy tells me there's a part that goes in opposite time of regular music; I'm looking forward to recording that.
The Con: I'm pretty sure my future plans involve surviving the present Pandemic; then, playing one note at a time, as quickly as I can, so that J.J. stops whipping me. Oh, and, maybe, some back-up vocals, if Dev & Nikki let me out of my box long enough.
06. Have you ever received any type of feedback from either Ron Hextall himself or any current/former Flyers players?
Hextall: Leah Hextall messaged us once, before she was a big TV star. We were featured in The Hockey News once for a one-pager, after someone there heard our song about Sergei Bobrovsky. Jeremy's dad cleaned Mark Recchi's teeth. Maybe, even [Jarome] Iginla's. I don't think he mentioned ever doing Rob Brown's.
The Con: I'm sure Ron is a busy man.
