Cut Off Your Hands "Demos" 2008 (Mini CD)

Cut Off Your Hands are known for their brand of high-energy post-punk. Relentless touring saw them clock up countless frequent flyer miles and tear up stages alongside a who’s who of indie rock bands worldwide. The departure of vocalist Djeisan Suskov from Auckland band Nova Echo led the remaining members to form The Shaky Hands...
...Moving from his first role as guitarist, Nick Johnston picked up the microphone to front the group, with bassist Phillip Hadfield, drummer Brent Harris and guitarist Michael Ramirez. Suskov moved on to work at his father’s Revolver Studios in Waiuku, establishing himself as a successful producer/engineer and songwriter with bands Trees Climbing Trees and Cool Rainbows. Largely influenced by the sounds of popular late 70s and 80s post-punk bands such as The Smiths, Gang Of Four, Joy Division and The Cure, they debuted in 2006 with the six track, sub-15-minute Cut Off Your Hands EP, recorded in Harris' parents lounge. Lead single You And I received a generous amount of radio play in Australia via Triple J as well as community and independent radio stations around the country. Within six months of their inception the band were picked up by Speak N Spell Records, a label/management agency established by Melbourne-based New Zealander Dave Benge and two Sydney-based partners, David Shrimpton and Jonathan Wilson.
Benge also took the role as their worldwide manager, though the three partners all shared the role at times in different territories. Touring was a major part of the band’s initial burst onto the music scene and saw them constantly playing live venues on home soil and across the ditch, with frenetic live performances. Johnston’s wild man antics often saw him performing within the crowd.
Shortly after their formation the four-piece were forced to change their name due to legal pressures from a Portland, Oregon band with the same title. With an invitation to the South by South West (SXSW) music conference looming, they chose to go with the title from their debut EP. Johnston told NZ Musician magazine, "We knew all along something was going to happen but we didn't expect such drastic measures to be taken. We're disappointed, they weren't open to compromise at all. They wouldn't budge. So we just needed to make a quick decision."...to be continued - audioculture
trax:
01 Breeding Lilacs out of the Deadland 02 Running 03 An Iron Sleep 04 Beside Her Man 05 Where The Water Meets The Sky 06 I Guess I Could Try Harde 07 When Your Only 21 08 Nostalgia
…served by Gaius…