520 Etc.: Cold Hands Heats up the Crowd
“Cold hands, warm hearts,” jokes Henry Gibson, singer and bassist for Cold Hands, the local rock-act recently signed to indie label, New Beat Records. Perhaps it's charmingly cliché, but this newly-coined phrase holds quiet true to this dance rock trio. Within all of that guitar-driven edge and frustration, these guys have a lot of heart.
And in the style of New York City’s shimmer-rock scene, their music has a way of heating up the stage and bringing a room alive with waves of dancing and crazy sing-along.
Land, Bowman and Gibson play an edgy sound unique to the Knoxville music scene.
Land, Bowman and Gibson play an edgy sound unique to the Knoxville music scene.
“It’s not just an experience for us; it’s an experience for everyone,” says guitarist Zach Land of their live shows. “We want to play music that can open you up to a new element.”
“We’ve had shows when people dance and people are drunk and hot and sweaty,” says Gibson. “If people will tap their feet and nod their head, we’re happy."
“Actually, what’s better than dancing, is when people just stand in awe,” Land adds. “Now, that would be the ultimate complement.”
An eclectic mélange of Interpol, U2 and Afghan Whigs, as well as ’80s-inspired rock, Cold Hand's music takes you to a time when music was the answer, the antidote for mental frustration.
"Most of our songs stem from frustration,” Gibson explains, addings that their sound has evolved from whiny, drone-y songs to what is now more upbeat, sharp and sexual.
The first songs were heavily inspired by emo-style music, about what 'she did to me...etc.'", says Gibson. "But now I want to cover all sides of the story. There are songs that have a vulnerability to them...The words are partly autobiographical, partly about other people and sometimes even sleazy-inspired,” he adds upon reciting the lyrics to a song about an emotional sexual encounter.
“You say your place and I’m on my way. With no time to waste, because these feelings always get in the way; come shut the door no one has to know what goes on behind closed doors,” he recites suavely.
All sleaziness aside, Gibson says he's just innocently describing “moments in time.”
“I'll be screaming my heart out, not knowing when to stop, or how...eventually I'll just fall on my face.”
Cold Hands' Henry Gibson screams his heart out.
Land, Gibson (who is referred to as “fashion virtuoso” on the band’s Myspace) and drummer “pimp” Jason Bowman, first came together last year to perform Jesus and Mary Chain covers for the yearly Halloween show at Pilot Light. In true tradition, the band dressed up as the ’90s hardcore stadium-rock band for the show.
But it wasn’t the first time Gibson and Land performed together –they were both former members of aggro-rock band Chelsea Horror, which began after Henry and Zach met at a New Year’s Eve Party in Land’s home town of Seymour.
“He thought I hated him,” Lands recalls. But I don’t know where he got that idea, he adds laughing. This initial impression, however, did not stop the duo from eventually hitting it off and making sweet music together. They formed Horror, and after that debanded, they found Bowman and Cold Hands immerged.
Cold Hands
At an early-July show at Barley’s, Gibson described what he felt was “a good audience reaction.
“Some old ladies came up to me and said: ‘We have two questions for you. One, where did you get the name Cold Hands? And Two, where did you get your pants?’”
The answer to the first question is that Cold Hands is from a book by DD. Ramón.
Then beggs the answer to the second question. “K-mart,” he answered. Not bad, for such hip trousers.
But despite the women's flattery, Cold Hands admits that the K-town crowd has been a tough audience to gauge. Although the band is gaining increasing popularity and respect locally, the band believes that it's been tough to win over Knoxvillians due to the band's glittery genre of music, which has found to be more popular in other states such as New England. Thus explains why most of their success has been experienced on the road, where they've sold out CDs, t-shirts and won over various crowds. "People have been so accomodating," says Gibson. “We always have a place to stay."
And it would be wrong to say that Cold Hands lacks ambition.
“We’re all fully prepared to quit our jobs and tour for eight months,” says Land. “Even if it means eating Ramen for months –it’s better than hating your job.”
This dream may not be such a distant reality, however, for Cold Hands appears to have some exciting plans up their sleeves.
“Good things are on the horizon," says Land, hesitating for a moment. "Only when it is final will we then lick and seal it. For the meantime, our mouths are shut."
Cold Hands Live Show Schedule:
August 6 at Sassy Ann’s with the Crossing
September 15 at Preservation Pub
September 30 at Doc’s Show Bar in Cincinnati, Ohio