The Shaky Hands
Encyclopedia
The Shaky Hands are a Portland, Oregon based rock group, formed in 2003 by musician Paul Culp, of "Lonesome Radio Heart" and Colin Anderson. Nicholas Delffs joined soon after on vocals and guitar. They spent the next three years gradually building a following in the Portland area and self-releasing two CDs, one informally called The Skidmore Days, which is a lo-fi full-length album recorded in future guitarist Jeff Lehman's North Portland basement and mixed by Alex Arrowsmith
. They also released a self-titled EP informally referred to as the Bonnie Doon EP, in reference to the location it was recorded. The Shaky Hands were signed to Holocene Music in late 2006. By this time, the lineup had changed considerably, with Mayhaw Hoons replacing Culp (who left in late 2004) on bass and the addition of second guitarist
Jeff Lehman. Nathan Delffs (Nicholas' brother, and member of The Castanets
) joined shortly thereafter on percussion and lap steel. Their sound is a fusion of 1960s style British Invasion
bands such as The Kinks
, The Who
and The Zombies
and American folk-rock in the vein of Neil Young
. The result is what many have described as a loose, jangly, rootsy style of indie rock. The Delffs brothers (along with most of the members of Shaky Hands) also perform Shaky Hands songs (alongside original compositions) under the Death Songs moniker, a more experimental and folk-oriented side project.
In March 2007, Pitchfork Media
reviewed their song "Whales Sing" from their forthcoming debut album, out April 10 on Holocene Music. On April 5 of the same year, Holocene Music posted the video for "Why And How Come," directed by Whitey McConnaughy, on YouTube.com.
The band signed to UK independent label Memphis Industries in the summer of 2007, just as they began recording their second album, Lunglight. They released the eponymous debut in the UK & Continental Europe on November 26, 2007. In 2008, The Shaky Hands signed to Kill Rock Stars
, which released Lunglight in conjunction with Holocene Music on September 9, 2008, two months after founding member Colin Anderson left the group. Multi-instrumentalist Nathan Delffs took Anderson's place on the drums for the rest of 2008 before Jake Morris of The Joggers
took up the position on a permanent basis, beginning with their winter 2009 tour opening for The Meat Puppets.
After spending much of 2009 on tour, Morris left the group in February 2010. Delffs moved to the drums in Morris' absence and recruited Portland artist Alex Arrowsmith
for keyboards and guitars. After recording a new record Realms Out Of Reach in summer 2010, Mayhaw Hoons left the group and Arrowsmith moved to bass. Mike Yun was brought in on keyboards and guitar, along with Justin Power on additional percussion and backing vocals. The group is currently working on plans to release Realms Out Of Reach.
for the Shaky Hands, who he has performed and recorded with since 2004. He has self-released several solo albums produced by Portland musician and friend Alex Arrowsmith
(on whose records he has also made appearances). Hoons also fronts the on-again-off-again Portland garage-funk band Mondo Hollywood
as the singer and principal songwriter
. He was the bass player and backing vocalist for The Shaky Hands from 2004 until his departure in summer 2010. His greatest aspiration is to follow in the footsteps of his incredible cousin, Joe Keatinge.
Alex Arrowsmith
Alex Arrowsmith is a rock/pop musician from Portland, Oregon. He has released 12 albums on his independent label, Ectoplasmic Records. All of his albums are self-produced and self-released. In spring 2010, Alex Arrowsmith joined The Shaky Hands on keyboard/guitar.-Studio albums:- Compilations...
. They also released a self-titled EP informally referred to as the Bonnie Doon EP, in reference to the location it was recorded. The Shaky Hands were signed to Holocene Music in late 2006. By this time, the lineup had changed considerably, with Mayhaw Hoons replacing Culp (who left in late 2004) on bass and the addition of second guitarist
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
Jeff Lehman. Nathan Delffs (Nicholas' brother, and member of The Castanets
The Castanets
Castanets is the musical project of Raymond Raposa, a San Diego native currently residing in Portland, Oregon. While Raposa is the only constant member of the band, his records and live performances often feature a seemingly never-ending rotating cast of musicians, the line-up often changing from...
) joined shortly thereafter on percussion and lap steel. Their sound is a fusion of 1960s style British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
bands such as The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and The Zombies
The Zombies
The Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1961 in St Albans and led by Rod Argent, on piano and keyboards, and vocalist Colin Blunstone. The group scored a UK and US hit in 1964 with "She's Not There"...
and American folk-rock in the vein of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
. The result is what many have described as a loose, jangly, rootsy style of indie rock. The Delffs brothers (along with most of the members of Shaky Hands) also perform Shaky Hands songs (alongside original compositions) under the Death Songs moniker, a more experimental and folk-oriented side project.
In March 2007, Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
reviewed their song "Whales Sing" from their forthcoming debut album, out April 10 on Holocene Music. On April 5 of the same year, Holocene Music posted the video for "Why And How Come," directed by Whitey McConnaughy, on YouTube.com.
The band signed to UK independent label Memphis Industries in the summer of 2007, just as they began recording their second album, Lunglight. They released the eponymous debut in the UK & Continental Europe on November 26, 2007. In 2008, The Shaky Hands signed to Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
, which released Lunglight in conjunction with Holocene Music on September 9, 2008, two months after founding member Colin Anderson left the group. Multi-instrumentalist Nathan Delffs took Anderson's place on the drums for the rest of 2008 before Jake Morris of The Joggers
The Joggers
The Joggers, formerly known as Stateside, are a four-piece band from Portland, Oregon. They play complex songs with elements of math rock which retain a pop sensibility. The guitar style of Ben Whitesides and the second guitarist rejects a traditional rhythm & lead style for more scale exploration...
took up the position on a permanent basis, beginning with their winter 2009 tour opening for The Meat Puppets.
After spending much of 2009 on tour, Morris left the group in February 2010. Delffs moved to the drums in Morris' absence and recruited Portland artist Alex Arrowsmith
Alex Arrowsmith
Alex Arrowsmith is a rock/pop musician from Portland, Oregon. He has released 12 albums on his independent label, Ectoplasmic Records. All of his albums are self-produced and self-released. In spring 2010, Alex Arrowsmith joined The Shaky Hands on keyboard/guitar.-Studio albums:- Compilations...
for keyboards and guitars. After recording a new record Realms Out Of Reach in summer 2010, Mayhaw Hoons left the group and Arrowsmith moved to bass. Mike Yun was brought in on keyboards and guitar, along with Justin Power on additional percussion and backing vocals. The group is currently working on plans to release Realms Out Of Reach.
Mayhaw Hoons
Mayhaw Hoons (born June 22, 1982) is the bassistBassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for the Shaky Hands, who he has performed and recorded with since 2004. He has self-released several solo albums produced by Portland musician and friend Alex Arrowsmith
Alex Arrowsmith
Alex Arrowsmith is a rock/pop musician from Portland, Oregon. He has released 12 albums on his independent label, Ectoplasmic Records. All of his albums are self-produced and self-released. In spring 2010, Alex Arrowsmith joined The Shaky Hands on keyboard/guitar.-Studio albums:- Compilations...
(on whose records he has also made appearances). Hoons also fronts the on-again-off-again Portland garage-funk band Mondo Hollywood
Mondo Hollywood
Mondo Hollywood is a documentary "mondo movie" by Robert Carl Cohen, released in 1967. Filmed over the preceding two years, it was described by Variety as a "flippy, trippy psychedelic guide to Hollywood".-Description:...
as the singer and principal songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He was the bass player and backing vocalist for The Shaky Hands from 2004 until his departure in summer 2010. His greatest aspiration is to follow in the footsteps of his incredible cousin, Joe Keatinge.
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Skidmore Days | Self-released |
| 2007 | The Shaky Hands | Holocene Music |
| 2008 | Lunglight | Kill Rock Stars/Holocene Music |
| 2009 | Let It Die | Kill Rock Stars |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Shaky Hands | Self-released |
| 2008 | Break The Spell | Kill Rock Stars/Holocene Music |
External links
- Myspace site
- Home page for the band at the Holocene Music website
- Concert review from the Hemlock Bar in San Francisco