Providence band Bochek are difficult to pin down. They play in a variety of styles, often within the same song, from psych, noise rock, prog and punk. I spoke to them about being in a rock and roll band in the midst of a world wide pandemic.

Hassle:
Who’s in the band and what do they play?

Bochek:
Nevin Kosinski is the voice, John Bonoan as the guitar player, Noah Mangelson behind the kit, Dante Krystman on the bass.

Hassle:
How did the band form and get its name?

Bochek:
The four of us are bread fans. We actually all met working a baking gig in our early college years. We understand that great ingredients are important in creating a wholesome, hearty bread… and music. Bochek is our specialty bread and thought naming the band after it would do it justice.

Hassle:
What are some of the primary and secondary influences on the group?

Bochek:
Currently, we’re digging on artists like Liv.e, Benny Revival, R.A.P. Ferreira, and Pink Navel. Some earlier influences that have had a lasting impact on our sound are Chicano Batman, Khruangbin, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Captain Beefheart, and Black Sabbath. We have all played together in jazz ensembles and definitely use a jazz approach to the way we perform our music, from bossa nova & samba music of Brazil and traditional music from several regions of Ghana.

Hassle:
What has kept you busy during this time?

Bochek:
Lots of board games, video games, and movies. Otherwise, we jam or create music in many ways, each recording our own material and experimenting with writing styles.

Hassle:
Where do you record and with who?

Bochek:
At Big Nice Studios in Lincoln, RI, with Chaimes Parker behind the motherboard. Bradford Kreiger also masters our songs. This is where we recorded our debut record Hear Now, Deaf Later.

Hassle:
Do you have any plans for the near future?

Bochek:
We do have plans! Things have certainly been brewing in the cauldron. We will be having new sounds enter your ears incredibly soon. Along with lovely garments and visual stimulants. Keep an eye on our Instagram (@officialbochek) for updates, as well as our Bandcamp (officialbochek.bandcamp.com)!

Hassle:
Any weird stories from a show or on the road?

Bochek:
A few years ago after a show in New London CT, John and I (Nevin) were looking for a good meal. We were indecisive as we saw many possible options while walking down the street. We came upon a pizza box sitting atop a ledge, we opened it up and were greeted by a full pizza pie. Astounded, we assessed the situation and noticed yet another pizza box about 20 feet away from the first one. We investigated and discovered that pizza box also had a full pie. We thought about what we had discovered and decided it would be best to save some money and eat these street slices. John took off the chicken as he was a bit hesitant to eat meat that he was unfamiliar with. When we recite this story we always call it STREETZA.

Hassle:
Do you have any videos or plan to make some?

Bochek:
YES! We have a few on our YouTube channel (Bochek). We are also slated to release a video alongside our next single!

Hassle:
What were some of your worst n best gigs?

Bochek:
Worst shows: We played a show in Johnston RI for a crowd expecting “Blurred lines” and “oldies” for 3 hours. We drove almost two hours to haverhill MA to play a show we were billed last on. None of us were 21 at the time, nor were we told that it was a 21+ venue. We’re sitting in this place for three hours and finally get to set up, and as we’re about to start the owner comes over to us and is getting upset that nobody checked our IDs and told us we had to leave, without playing our set. We were pretty pissed. After we loaded out, Noah went down to the basement office the owner was hiding in & let him know what he did was fucked up. Definitely was an overall bummer but still a funny experience. Best shows:
Our album release show at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket was our best show to date, it was completely sold out and was just an overall amazing experience. The bill was Laura! Laura!, Strip Mall, and the Simps. Chance Haki helped us put the show together
Another amazing show was PVD fest 2019, great energy and all of our first PVD fest experience.

Hassle:
Thank you so much. I hope everyone takes a moment to check out this band.