1. Why they’re called Hot Panda. Remember when Debbie Harry had to go around telling people that Blondie was a band, not just her? Well, Hot Panda is not a guy in a bear costume doing R Kelly–style slow jams. They’re an Edmonton quartet who play toe-tapping indie pop while also being influenced by the punky sounds of ‘77. The origin of their name is convoluted, but suffice it to say that it may involve Chinese food, panda porn shown to zoo animals that refuse to mate and stolen bear cubs.

2. What a Hot Panda sounds like. While guitarist/singer Chris Connelly and his fellow members had been in bands before, Connelly says, “We’ve never really had a conversation about what to sound like. We’re not the most skilled musicians in the world so the way we sound is the only way we know how to — it wasn’t done by choice.” Apparently the sound in their heads is a mix of Jonathan Richman, Buzzcocks, Talking Heads and Television.

3. Why they MAY HAVE considered relocating to Norway. US musicians are often envious of the way Canada supports its artists. But Connelly, who spent time living in Norway along with drummer Maghan Campbell, says Norwegians take it to another level. “It was amazing. If you’re in a band the government has money for you and as a result there is so much music happening. More diverse music, too — because you don’t worry so much about if your stuff is gonna be widely liked, you’re just concerned with expressing yourself”.

4. What it’s like opening for big rock stars. Hot Panda have been fortunate enough to open for acts that they have a few things in common with. With Art Brut, for example, Connelly says they share “a playful sense of humour.” With The Raveonettes “while we don’t sound like them, there’s enough of a crossover for their fans to like our band.” Of course, it’s not just the fans — Connelly himself took a bit of a shine to Raveonettes bassist Sharin Foo.

“She’s very attractive; it was intimidating hanging around backstage. She’s a looker, that one. I talked a lot with Sune Rose Wagner but at times we would be sitting next to [Sharin] and I would be like ‘I really don’t know what to say.’ It killed the conversation.”

5. Where you can see them play. Fri, Mar 7. Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College. 9pm. GILBERTO ZAMBRANO