2016 has been a big year for Hockey Dad. The two piece from Windang - Zach Stephenson on guitar and vocals, Billy Fleming on drums - recorded and released their first album, are touring the US, then New Zealand, and they'll finish the year with an Australian tour that includes the Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong, not far from their south coast home.

Just before taking off for the US they released the latest single from the album. 'Jump The Gun' was partly filmed at a Windang Boardriders pointscore comp, the rest of it was shot at the local chicken shop and on the streets of Windang. The fellas aren't shy of a chicken nugget and are damn proud of their roots.

That said, Swellnet caught up with Billy a long, long way from home...

Swellnet: Whereabouts are you guys at the moment?
Billy: Currently sinking a few in Seattle, Washington.

Did you take your boards on tour?
We wish we could, hey. We’ve got the skateys because they fit in our suitcases, but yeah, bringing a quiver over with all the gear would be too skitz. Been hitting some mental skateys though. Burnside the other day was full on.

What's been playing on the stereo/walkman/Spotify while getting about?
We've been getting hell into Twin Peaks, King Tuff, Muuy Biien and Horror My Friend... but I reckon Stevo has been smashing Jack Johnson on his walkman too

And how's the feedback been? Good roll up at the gigs?
Yeah we’ve had a few crazy ones, heaps stoked with them. It’s crazy that people on the other side of the world listen to your shit and are keen to come out to shows. It’s sick.

New album is titled 'Boronia' what's that refer to?
We named it after the street we grew up on… and still live on

Which one of you lived closest to the beach?
Stevo lives closest. He’s a few doors down from me, and then he’s a few doors down from the backtrack leading to the beach. Hell set up.

Your latest clip features a Windang Boardriders pointscore comp. Where did you guys place? Any suss judging calls to complain about?
I reckon we tied second after local heavyweight Mick Savill had a hack - old boy was shredding that day. Although after snagging the infamous $50 surf shop voucher, I reckon I came out on top.

Video for Hockey Dad's latest single, 'Jump The Gun'

Who'll win the season?
We’re never there and/or too hungover to go to most of the pointscores, so it’s usually one of the old boys who take out the comp. We’ve got our punt on Johnny Coltman.

Most importantly though, did you stick around to judge or did you just piss off after your heats?
Nah bugger that, we made the most of it, chucking shit scores on our mates. I think Zach was a bit harsh on his old mans cutties. 

Yours & Owls festival is on soon and it's just up the road from Windang. You fellas request luxury 'Gong accommodation or bunking down in Boronia?
Fark, that’s a tough one. It’s always a stitch up trying to snag a lift home from Gong, so hopefully we can suss out some luxury. I heard there's a party at Brett's too.

Yours & Owls is on 1st and 2nd October at Stuart Park, Wollongong. For lineup and tickets click here.