Animal Collective’s Geologist Writes about NYC Hockey Teams, the Strokes for Sports Illustrated

Animal Collective‘s Geologist (aka Brian Weitz) occasionally writes for Sports Illustrated. Today, he’s written a lengthy column about both of New York City’s NHL teams, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. Weitz, a Philadelphia Flyers fan, wrote about observing both team’s respective legacies and fanbases. The Islanders traditionally played in Long Island, but moved to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center a few years ago—a change that’s led to a noticeable dip in attendance at home games. But while watching a recent Rangers-Islanders game, Weitz was able to connect the experience of the crowd’s noise to the noise made by Animal Collective in their early days. “Noise and New York City are inextricably linked for me,” he writes. 

Halfway through, he reflects on hearing about the Strokes in 2000. “I assumed their sound would be something too classic NYC for my taste, even though I loved and respected some of that music,” he writes. He skipped an early chance to see them, and ended up regretting it after loving their first two records, 2001′s Is This It? and 2003′s Room on Fire. All of this comes back to hockey, of course, and the possibility of Rangers-Islanders growing into an epic city rivalry ala Yankees-Mets. “Maybe hockey doesn’t look great at Barclays right now, just like images of The Strokes didn’t look great to me in 2000,” he writes. “Don’t repeat my mistake.” Get your tickets today! 

Read our interview with Animal Collective.

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