DEERHOOF'S experimental pop is mired in a pure punk sense of adventure. For the past two decades they’ve mastered a seamless blend of bold creativity and practicality that’s deeply rooted in a DIY ethos.
“Our tours are actually pretty uneventful now. We’re really appreciative we have had these brushes with success. We’re making a living off it,” says guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Ed Rodriguez, who’s been with Deerhoof for eight years.
Rodriguez, who lives in Portland, followed longtime friend John Dieterich, who joined in 1999. Deerhoof was originally founded by drummer/vocalist Greg Saunier in 1994, but the band took new form with the arrival of Satomi Matsuzaki in 1995.
“The crew she met when she landed in San Francisco is unbelievable,” says Rodriguez of Matsuzaki’s arrival in the Bay Area, where she met Saunier through experimental band Caroliner. A week later, she was on tour with Deerhoof.
“She had never played music, never done anything. Now she’s incredible. She can play the most intricate, mind-blowing bass line while spinning around and singing. It’s unbelievable.”