THE SHAKY HANDS

Some bio stuff: The Shaky Hands formed in Portland, Oregon, in the fall of 2003. They began as a three piece with Nick Delffs (also of Castanets) playing guitar and singing, Colin Anderson playing drums and Paul Culp on bass. That year was spent performing in basements and living rooms. Following Culp's departure in 2004, Mayhaw Hoons and his hair joined the band, soon followed by second guitarist Jeff Lehman. Around this time Nick and Colin traveled to Bonny Doon, California and recorded a self-titled EP with Nick's brother Nathan, which was subsequently self-released on CD-R. In 2006 Nick, Colin, Mayhaw and Jeff recorded this debut full-length at Sidecar Studios in Portland, before bringing on Nathan as an official member that spring. The band are touring the US with The Shins this autumn
'The Shaky Hands' feels like a classic debut, almost as though it's following an invisible lineage of great US debuts (from The Feelies "Crazy Rhythms through R.E.M's "Murmur" to Neutral Milk Hotel's "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea) and, like these bands, they come fully-formed and with a singular voice, in the case of The Shaky Hands this voice belongs to main songwriter Nick Delffs. As it floats restlessly through the scales, one minute wide-eyed and soulful, the next with a flat, resignation it's the type of charismatic, identifiable voice that doesn't always need to hit the right note to strike a chord in the listener. All of which wouldn't count for much if the songs weren't so damn good.
And they are, from metronomic opener, 'Whales Sing' and its winning approximation of Otis Redding's 'I Can't turn You Loose' right through to the handclaps and good vibes of closer 'Summer Life'. Single, The Sleepless with its staccato verses and effervescent chorus could be a long lost classic Britpop single, whilst Why and How Come, with its Byrds-like arpeggio guitars and flailing drums will, for those with a long enough memory, bring recollections of great lost 80's American bands like Let's Active or The Dream Syndicate. And though the up-tempo numbers are the ones that will initially stick inside your head it's perhaps the slower songs that will define this record. There's a striking, mystical beauty to songs like, "Another World Pt 1 & 2" and "The Clapping Song", so much so that when Delfs intones "Well I've been searching a long time for a heart that could beat with mine, I think I've found it", on the latter, as the key turns from major to minor you may find your world becomes momentarily warmer.

Listen to the boys from The Shaky Hands here talk about their biggest tour ever (alongside the Shins). Bassist Mayhaw Hoons captures the magic of a breakthrough tour via his new audio recorder. In this episode, Hoons interviews the Shaky Hands and friends to see how they prepare for performing in front of a hundred million thousand and seventy-eight people.

THE SHAKY HANDS - OUT NOV 26 2007

1. Whales Sing
2. The Sleepless
3. Why & How Come
4. Maker Make
5. We Will Rise
6. Another World, Pt. 1
7. Another World, Pt. 2
8. I'm Alive
9. Sunburns
10. Host Your Day
11. Whirling Wind
13. Summer's Life

Video for Why & How Come here

Download Whales Sing for free here

Press

Josh Modell, SPIN:
"This Portland band’s debut should satisfy those flummoxed and/or disappointed by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s sophomore slumper. Both groups capture early R.E.M.’s breezy jangle and give it a twisted sideways glance, but the Shaky Hands reduce the bark and play up the loose-limbed folk vibe" Refreshingly uncluttered tunes like "The Sleepless" and "We Will Rise" bring a relaxed, back-porch quality to typically uptight indie-rock".

Magnet:
"Occupies that lush space between M. Ward’s sleepiness and Devendra Banhart’s freakiness".

Gorilla vs. Bear:
"But the reason we’re talking about the Shaky Hands here is that we can’t get their insanely infectious tunes out of our head lately. I imagine if you’re a fan of warm and fuzzy hook-laden rock of the Tapes ‘n Tapes and/or CYHSY variety you’d really enjoy this, and if not, lighten up already".
Obsever Music Monthly ****
"The Shaky Hands' obvious reference points - the second and third Wilco albums, from the days before Jeff Tweedy started trying to be Thom Yorke, much-loved debuts by the Go-Betweens, REM or the Violent Femmes, Camper Van Beethoven's 'Take the Skinheads Bowling' - might not seem like the stuff of rock'n'roll satori. And yet the freshness and vitality with which the band put these familiar influences together cannot be gainsayed".

Touring

5 Oct 2007 The Greek TheaterBerkeley, California
6 Oct 2007 Santa Barbara BowlSanta Barbara, California
7 Oct 2007 The Greek TheaterLos Angeles, California
9 Oct 2007 Mesa AmpitheaterPhoenix, Arizona
10 Oct 2007 Univ of NM - Popejoy HallAlbuquerque, New Mexico
12 Oct 2007 Mojo’sColumbia, Missouri
13 Oct 2007 Schubas TavernChicago, Illinois
15 Oct 2007 Beachland, Cleveland, Ohio
17 Oct 2007 TT The Bear’sCambridge, Massachusetts