Cut Off Your Hands Set August Release Date For New Record

You may recall that two years back we were completely captivated by Cut Off Your Hands' set at Noise Pop in San Francisco. It's been a while since we've heard from the band, aside from a few studio tracks leaking on their blog, so we were psyched to get a revealing press release today about the band's latest.

Due on August 16th, Hollow is the band's second full length (cover above) and, according to the band, is a fully realized manifestation of an "expanded palette that incorporated everyone's idea's". Regardless of what you call it, if the first track is any indication, it's gonna be a doozy.

"You Should Do Better" (video above, mp3 below) takes the band's trademark sound, and lodges it with subtle doses of new sonic juice. The vocals are freed of reverb and are more natural and direct, while the playing is more restrained while still managing to deliver unquestionable forward momentum.

As though all this weren't cause for enough excitement, the New Zealand band has also noted that they had a TBD American tour on tap. That means not only do we get an awesome new record, but we get to hear it live to boot. Totally, totally, awesome!

mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - You Should Do Better

Cut Off Your Hands Coming To Bottom Of The Hill

Picture from the HAD Archive

We're still reeling from their ferocious Noise Pop show, so we were psyched to see that Cut Off Your Hands have yet to return to New Zealand. Apparently they've extended their US tour, and will be stopping by Bottom Of The Hill on June 18th.

Since we last saw them, we've been listening to the band's record You & I quite a bit, and really digging into it. It manages a fantastic blend of Spector sonics, Cure-ish vocals, and unrepentant energy. It really is a record that manages to capture a whole bunch of pop sensibilities into one neat package, and come up with something new in the process. Give a listen below.

Tickets are on sale now.

mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - Oh Girl

Cut Off Your Hands Summer 2009 North American Dates
May 25 Neurolux w/Viva Voce Boise, Idaho
May 26 The Badlander w/Viva Voce Missoula, Montana
May 28 Turf Club w/Viva Voce St Paul, Minnesota
May 29 Empty Bottle w/Viva Voce Chicago, Illinois
May 30 The Burlington - Dr Snikkers + Mr Puppy DJ SET Chicago, Illinois
May 31 The Summit w/Viva Voce Columbus, Ohio
Jun 1 Bug Jar w/Viva Voce Rochester, New York
Jun 2 Great Scott w/Viva Voce Allston, Massachusetts
Jun 3 Johnny Brenda’s w/Viva Voce Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 4 Music Hall of Williamsburg w/Viva Voce Brooklyn, New York
Jun 5 IOTA Club and Cafe w/Viva Voce Arlington, Virginia
Jun 6 Musica w/Viva Voce Akron, Ohio
Jun 7 Southgate House w/Viva Voce Newport, Kentucky
Jun 9 Firebird w/Viva Voce St Louis, Missouri
Jun 10 Record Bar w/Viva Voce Kansas City, Ohio
Jun 11 The Opolis w/Viva Voce Norman, Oklahoma
Jun 12 Haileys w/Viva Voce Denton, Texas
Jun 13 The Mohawk Austin, Texas
Jun 15 Plush w/Viva Voce Tucson, Arizona
Jun 16 Rhythm Room w/Viva Voce Phoenix, Arizona
Jun 17 the Echo w/Viva Voce LA, California
Jun 18 Bottom of the Hill w/Viva Voce San Fran, California
Jun 20 Wonder Ballroom w/Viva Voce Portland, Oregon
Jun 21 The Vera Project Seattle, Washington
Jun 22 Media Club Vancouver, British Columbia
Jun 24 Pawn Shop Edmonton, Alberta
Jun 25 Verns Calgary, Alberta
Jun 26 The Exchange Regina, Saskatchewan
Jun 27 Royal Albert Arms Hotel Winnipeg, Manitoba

Cut Off Your Hands Will Be At Popscene Tomorrow Night

Picture from the HAD Archive

If you've been paying attention, you'll remember that we were pretty stoked on Cut Off Your Hands' off-the-hook show at Noise Pop last week. Today we happened to head to the band's myspace page to listen to some tunage, and we stumbled across their tour schedule.

It turns out that the band will be back in San Francisco tomorrow night to make an appearance at the always-hip Popscene. We here at HAD will be at the M. Ward show (and desperately hoping it ends in time to hit Popscene as well), but we can't stress enough: if you have the time to check this show out, do so. It will absolutely be worth your while. These guys kill live, and they made the trip all the way from New Zealand - not exactly a common occurrence. If you're elsewhere, check additional dates below.

Cut Off Your Hands 2009 Spring US Dates:
Mar 4 2009 Spaceland - Club NME w/ Princeton Los Angeles
Mar 5 2009 Pop Scene San Francisco
Mar 6 2009 Tonic Lounge Reno, Nevada
Mar 7 2009 Kilby Court w/ Future Cop Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 8 2009 Hi Dive Denver, Colorado
Mar 9 2009 Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska
Mar 10 2009 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 12 2009 Rock Island Brewing Company Rock Island, Illinois
Mar 13 2009 Darkroom Chicago, Illinois
Mar 14 2009 Hideout Chicago, Illinois
Mar 15 2009 Firebird (formerly the Bluebird) St. Louis, Missouri
Mar 16 2009 Conservatory Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Mar 18 2009 Maggie Mae’s - Spaceland Party SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2009 Vice - Rock Band Showcase SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 Birds’ Barbershop - NASA SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 Emo’s - Frenchkiss Showcase SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 Stubbs BBQ - SPIN PARTY SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 Radio Room - The Onion Party SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 West Tent at Brush Square - NZ BBQ Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 Aces Lounge - NME Showcase SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2009 Waterloo Park - Mess With Texas SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2009 Peckerheads - RollingStone.com Party SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 23 2009 Revolution w/ Passion Pit Little Rock, Arkansas
Mar 24 2009 The Cinemat w/ Ra Ra Riot & Passion Pit Bloomington, Indiana
Mar 25 2009 Musica w/ Ra Ra Riot & Passion Pit Akron, Ohio
Mar 26 2009 Blind Pig w/ Ra Ra Riot & Passion Pit Ann Arbor, Michigan
Mar 27 2009 Water Street Music Hall w/ Ra Ra Riot & Passion Pit Rochester, New York
Mar 28 2009 Westcott Theatre w/ Ra Ra Riot & Passion Pit Syracuse, New York
Mar 30 2009 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario
Apr 3 2009 Alumni Hall w/ Manchester Orchestra & Bear Hands Hamden, Connecticut
Apr 4 2009 Webster Hall w/ Ra Ra Riot (early show 16+) New York, New York

mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - Turn Cold

Noise Pop 2009: Cut Off Your Hands Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Writing a review on Cut Off Your Hands and not mentioning The Vines seems to almost border on the impossible, so we'll just get it off our chest. Both bands hail from the Australian continent (New Zealand and Australia, respectively), both bands draw heavily on 60's and punk rock influences, and both bands are fronted by singers who don't seem to have any perception that there is anything remotely like "appropriate" behavior for a rock band on stage.

That being said, Cut Off Your Hands are certainly not even remotely a ripoff. Their songs were adventurous, accessible, exciting, and full of life. The set was dappled with fantastic backing vocals, wonderful melodies, and driving rhythms that all combined to make for ridiculously immediate rock and roll. In short, this band delivers the entire package. And be quite certain, dear reader, that package most certainly includes rock and roll insanity.

Within 30 seconds of being on stage, Cut Off Your Hands front man Nick Johnston dove into the crowd, and was most certainly not caught. Rather, the crowd seemed to give way, and he headed resoundingly to the floor. Not one who was quick to learn a lesson apparently, Johnston would repeat this exercise two more times during the night to the same result. While the behavior was slightly unsettling, it is worth mentioning that with so many bands seeming routine on stage, it was unquestionably invigorating to see a band that was ready to deliver on all cylinders, regardless of the outcome.

And in the end, the outcome was, in fact, unforgettable. It's impossible to argue with the sheer amount of energy coming off stage, or the classic accessiblity of the melodies of the songs. At the same time, the band undoubtedly defined their own personality, and delivered a set that was distinctively theirs. Being from New Zealand, it seems that the band might not travel to the US as often as one might like. That being said, you can bet that next time they're in town that we'll be there. The band is touring the US now: Do. Not. Miss.

Many more pictures on the HAD Archive

Some New Music From New Zealand: Cut Off Your Hands

Typically when we get Insound's "Free MP3 Of The Week" it tends to be a little underwhelming. It's either a band we've already heard, or a the latest buzz band that's already been hyped to high heaven, or something that doesn't catch our fancy in any particular way.

However, this week is different: the track is from New Zealand's Cut Off Your Hands, and is called "Happy As Can Be". From the second we put it on, we were pretty much won over. Repeated listens have only increased our enthusiasm, so needless to say: it's good. The track is full of driving energy, and to our ears winds up being somewhere in the territory of Morrissey meets Phil Spector meets a Christmas Carol (that's probably just the tubular bells getting to us, though). Anyway, there's no need for you to sit around and listen to us blab about it: go get the track now!

mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - Happy As Can Be (courtesy of Insound's mp3 of the week)