Another one bites the dust

Clean Hands is on an indefinite hiatus. Expected? Maybe. Sucks? A lot. It started with a meeting that was supposed to go on, but due to some heavy snow we cancelled. We sent out our goals for 2011 for ourselves AND the band. Nick and Jason had some differences that resulted in a major fight, some harsh words said and finally, Jason left. He was an awesome bassist, but the negativity got the best of him. Nick and I, however will move on. We've dealt with this nonsense before. It just sucks because we had potential, which was quickly halted. The good news, is that a 2nd guitarist is very interested in us, even if we're taking a little break. I'm going to learn the ropes of being a father, and Nick is going to keep working on music.

We'll meet again sometime, and I can't wait.

First show of the new year

Saturday, Jan 8th, we played our first show of the new year at Linneman's with Testa Rosa and Ian Link Sings. It was indeed, a successful evening despite not giving any EPs away. Again. We all played pretty well and left real happy with how the things went. Good crowd. Also my bro in law came too and saw us for the first time. Upon sitting on the drum throne ready to start, I even got a little nervous. Not sure why. Maybe it was excitement. I don't know.

I also got to try out my new 16 inch Sabian Hand Hammered Thin Crash cymbal. I was a little skeptical at first since it's got a vintage dark sound. Still, it's rad and sounded great.

Not sure what the future looks like for Clean Hands, but I hope we can make things work.

Favourite albums/ bands/shows of 2010

Wow. 2010 just flew by didn't it? With 2011 coming up close, it's time for myself to reflect on some of my favourite albums and bands I've discovered this year.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Ted Leo + The Pharmacist's The Brutalist Bricks takes the number one slot. So many great songs make up the record including "Even Heros Have to Die", "Bottled in Cork", "The Mighty Sparrow" and others.

Alkaline Trio's This Addiction was quite good as well. Better then Agony and Irony, but some hit-or-miss songs present as well. Danny didn't get enough songs on the album. "Kick Rocks" should have been on there. It could have easily taken a place of a Skiba song.

Less Than Jake's TV-EP was quite funny. I'm hoping for a new record next year from these great guys.

Sundowner's We Chase The Waves is awesome! Chris and Neil of TLA did a great job. Now all we need is a NEW Lawrence Arms album. Not another EP. Another album, please.

Jimmy Eat World's new record Invented was alright. Some good songs here and there. A little melancholy, but it's not bad.

Matt Skiba's Demos was...strange. Maybe one song or so was okay.

Local band Conrad Plymouth released an EP as well and it's very good. It's good ol' americana and it's great! Fergus Falls is a great one to hear live. They're fun to play with to. Chris is always a riot.

The Newloud is a cornucopia of good dancy punk/pop/ music. My guitarist works for their front man, and every once in a while I'll listen to their bandcamp site. They're unique.

Eric and Magill-I participated in the recording of this album by contributing some vocals on a song. Another mellow-americana album and it's awesome. These guys did a great job.

Favourite shows for 2010-

Modern Family is STILL great. Great acting, great story line.

Hells Kitchen-Still watching this one religiously.

The Big Bang Theory-NEW fav show. My in-laws got me into it one day, and I love it. It's too funny. Bill Parsons is a genius.

Conan-No reason to explain this one. It's Conan O'Brien at his best.

Here's to 2011.

EP finally done and available for download

It's here. It's up and ready for download. We worked super hard on it and it's finally available to listen to and download for FREE or whatever you'd like to donate. Nick was originally going to release it Dec 6th for St. Nick (and play St Nick) but after some people looking for it early online, he put it up early.

Go check it out and let me know what you think

http://www.cleanhandsmke.bandcamp.com

Two for the price of one

So we (Clean Hands) rounded up the year with two shows in November. One at the Miramar Theater and one at Bay View Brewhaus. The Miramar show was the biggest venue to date that we played. We played with Tomorrow Ever After and Fuzee. Aside from my bass drum moving too much forward, the show went pretty well.

The Brewhaus show was great. We gave out two-song disc samplers of the rough recordings. People dug it and it was sort of a 'thanks for all the support' effort. The EP wasn't complete in time which our guitarist was pretty bummed with. But it's pretty complete now and we'll have it online soon for download AND have it available for free at our CD release party. So this year, we nailed 7 shows in the short time all three of us have played together.

Keep posted for the link to our album on bandcamp.com

"You Will Play Well Because You've Got Heart"-JNJ

My wife told me that before I left for the studio. It kept with me all day.

I've been kind of monopolizing the blogspot the last few entries. Sorry 82. So my guitarist in our band works full time at a studio in Milwaukee, and was able to record our 4-song ep this week. I went in tuesday morning to lay down the drum tracks. Took some effort and hard work but overall, it went well. It was my very first time recording anything with a metronome, so I felt pretty nervous, but it went well. Our bassist went in later as our guitarist edited drums. Everything's done except vocals. We should have the record ready to go by next weekend's show in Bay View.

I've never felt more proud of anything I've done music-wise. My band mates and I are getting better and better and are very happy with the result. Last night I was listening to some of the tracks and they sounded great. I can't wait to share it with the one's who've always believed in me.

Best Show Ever? YES!

Going into the Live on North show , we were a bit frustrated that we were supposed to play at 12:30AM! Well, we ended up starting 30 minutes early, so that's a bit better. Turns out we had an amazing turn out. Friends old and new came out and danced to our songs...We had a great time. We played real tight, and they loved the Prince cover too! So it looks like the next couple shows are in November. Both should be a good time. In the mean time we're going to hopefully record a 3 song ep to hand out at the shows.