Pleased To Meet Me: Alexander Hackett / Pang Attack
Alexander Hackett is a writer and musician from Québec's Eastern Townships. His work often draws from his varied background as a tree planter, teacher, and composer. His short fiction and articles have appeared in various publications.
Hackett was shortlisted for the 2025 Guernica Prize for his work titled “In Floating Houses We Are Cured of Loneliness”, His story “Norma At The Museum”was named to the shortlist for the 2025 CRAFT Short Fiction Prize.
Pang Attack self-released “Tears For The Wave” in 2025, and is one of our favourite releases of 2025.
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Introduce yourself... (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)
Hi, I'm Alex. I grew up in a small village in Quebec's Eastern Townships. I've been playing in bands for about 20 years, first with dance-punk outfit Kill The Lights (or killthelights or KTL), then Femme Generation, Congolese electro-rock group Dear Denizen, and Smiths cover band The Smiffs.
For the last few years I've been drumming for post-punk band TV Erased. Pang Attack is my main songwriting vehicle - it's chill, intropsective, melodic stuff. I've been self-releasing EPs and albums under that moniker since 2011. Last year I collaborated with Peter Holmström of The Dandy Warhols, singing and co-writing a few songs for his side project Pete International Airport. That was fun. Pang Attack just put out a new album, 'Tears For The Wave', in the fall of 2025.
Why do you play music?
Good question. I suppose I became obsessed with music early on, for reasons I don't fully understand. The countryside where I grew up was really quiet, so I gravitated towards any music I could find. That made me to want to play music. Also, I hate money and stability.
What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?
It's not very original, but as a kid, The Beatles blew my mind. It's hard to overstate their initial impact, in terms of melody, creativity, experimentation and freedom of composition. I wanted to cry, listening to some of those songs as a kid for the first time. I'll still go into extended deep dives into their music and discover new things and just think "How?" They were a perfect story, really. I'm glad I had them as a musical upbringing, because not everyone does, anymore, y'know?
My teenage years were all about Britpop - The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode al. And then I got into all kinds of weird underground music, and different genres. I like whatever's good, whatever is surprising, whatever is played with conviction and authenticity.
What’s a favourite book or film?
For a film, I'll say Andrei Tarkovsky's "Mirror", or "Le Confessional" by Robert Lepage.
For a book, I'll say "By Grand Central Station I sat Down and Wept", by Elizabeth Smart. My writing workshop partner Maggie introduced me to it and it's stunning. I don't know how I missed this book up until now in my reading life. It's also Canadian, and based on a true story - Smart grew up in Ottawa in the 1920s and 30s. It's abolutely, incandescently beautiful and intense. It also turns out that it was one of Morrissey's favourite books, and he lifted many famous Smiths lyrics directly from it.
Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?
I prefer the studio, personally. It's a creative playground. I love seeing what sounds we can come up with.
What would be a dream collaboration?
Robert Smith of The Cure. PJ Harvey.
Describe a favourite album.
The Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz et Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974 compilation is a wonderful, ethereal and dreamy collection of songs that always hits the spot. It never fails to lift my spirits.
What's your favourite local haunt?
After living in the Plateau for 18 years, I recently moved down to Little Burgundy. I like Bar De Courcelle, Lili et Olli for coffee, or just hanging by the canal in summer. Saint-Ambroise terrasse during bike season. There's also a newish spot on the south side of the canal near St-Patrick and Charlevoix called Redwood Café that makes the most delicious sandwiches with homemade foccacia bread. Super tasty.
What's your strangest experience while performing live?
Probably opening for rapper/ musician K-OS and You Say Party! We Say Die! at my old CEGEP campus in Lennoxville. Local delinquent makes good.
If I were pursuing anything other than music it would be...
Creative writing.
What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in (your city here)?
The eccentric weirdos you meet, the great local dive bars and music venues, and feeling that the creativity is off the charts. I don't care what anyone says, Montreal has always had one of the most cutting edge music scenes anywhere. We do a poor job of promoting ourselves, internationally, and we're isolated in a way, both culturally and geographically, but the talent is next level. There's a purity to that. And we're such an interesting hybrid, a mish-mash of all genres from punk to jazz to electronic and world music. I'm happy to see that there are new generations of young musicians coming up, being wild, being passionate, and taking up the torch.
If you weren’t playing music in (your city here) where would you be ?
Wandering the earth somewhere far away - like Georgia or Guatemala.
Any sage advice for young musicians?
Work hard, be kind, do it yourself, don't be afraid. Don't expect anything in return, if you keep at it, you'll probably end up somewhere other than where you intended. Make yourself useful and learn hard skills as a plan B while you're doing your main thing. Just do it 'cause you love it, create the scene, play lots of shows, blow peoples minds. You'll eventually have lots of stories to tell.