Once upon a time the Shaky Hands, now known as CUT OFF YOUR HANDS, bassist PHILIP HADFIELD tells MICHAEL PINCOTT how things are going in their new home, the UK.

‘The Cut Off Your Hands Guide To Success’ consists of two chapters. Chapter One is entitled ‘Be forced to change your name by some American band’ and Chapter Two is called ‘Move to the UK and get busy.’

The name change, enforced by the American version of Shaky Hands earlier this year, was thoroughly documented by the music media – it may have also been an accidental stroke of promotional brilliance, imprinting the new name on people’s minds.

“It was good that we had the name change before we went overseas,” a softly spoken Phil considers. We both agree that the new name is better anyway.

The band’s migration from New Zealand to the UK is one hell of a cultural shift, and certainly a career-oriented move. And it doesn’t hurt that their brand of poppy indie rock is what helps NME writers sleep at night.

“There’s no way to make a living as a musician in New Zealand,” Phil laments. “But everything seems to be happening here, people are still buying records… It makes sense for us to be here, we’re going to record our album here. In New Zealand everybody is sort of waiting to hear what sort of music is coming from the other side of the world.”

Ironically, Cut Off Your Hands are now the ones making that music, with plans to record their first album next year.

The band obviously made the right decision, given that they are enjoying a remarkable level of success in the UK. Their first official single Oh Girl sold out in less than twenty-four hours and their new EP Blue On Blue also making the rounds. How does it feel to have this sort of success?

“Well for me personally, it makes me feel like all the hard work we’ve put in has paid off. We’ve only been a band for a few years but we’ve put so much work into this… it’s just good to know you’re doing something right.”

I suggest that Cut Off Your Hands are somewhat of a ‘buzz band’ at the moment, but Phil is none too fond of the term. He emphasizes that Cut Off Your Hands are not merely a product of the perpetually turning hype machine, but have gained success off their own musicianship, hard work and relentless touring.

“I don’t really like the term because a lot of hyped up bands tend to be… uh… shit. But a band like the Arctic Monkeys, they were hyped, but they also did a lot of hard work to get to the position they’re in.”

Next up for the band is a visit to Australia and New Zealand, with excitement high for a particular summer festival the band is doing.

“Big Day Out is like a dream come true. We played the New Zealand Big Day Out last year and that was awesome, we got way more people than we thought we would.”

This time around, they’ll be doing the whole circuit. Prepare for a lot more people this time, guys.

CUT OFF YOUR HANDS will be playing at the Big Day Out on the Gold Coast on January 20 next year. EP Blue On Blue is out now through Levity/Inertia.

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