Various Hands

What has made for the immediate success of Various Hands since 2011 is their incredible style known as dance rock. A style that has earned them their respectable spot on the rock charts, massive radio airplay and much more. Fronted by vocalist Jeff Nations, Various Hands consists of Zach Meier and Adam Wirth. Hypoluxo makes for the perfect album for the season in the sense that you play the album while driving with the windows rolled down and volume turned up on a cool sunny day. Let’s break down, Hypoluxo.

Memphis Decisions (Be Cool)
The opening track to Hypoluxo is truly addicting. With the blend of melodic vocals and the signature dance rock feel this song is proven to become an instant favorite. We are introduced to the catchy, yet subtle “ping-pong” baseline courtesy of Adam Wirth as mentioned by frontman Jeff Nations. The lyrics are easy enough to memorize and sing along. We also have the presence of the Omnichord by Nations. I will admit, I had to do a little side research and let’s just say it’s that added electronic synth feel we hear. Genius !

Remember Me Always
While one guitar launches a 16th note sequence for four measures, the second guitar accents the upbeat that maintain the essence of the song throughout. On this particular track though with minimal instrumentation or the band rocking out, Nations blends smoothly at the vocals from phrase to phrase allowing for superb syncopation. The interpretation of the track tells about a spin-less world and the urgency to keep moving on, perhaps from a relationship. “Tear drops never did much for me, we had one night to see how much we could be…” with the final line being, “Remember me always”.

The Fleeting Starlight
One of the more mellow tracks of the album. A steady tempo that once again allows for Nations to express his talent at the microphone. Another of the interesting features to this song is when the track goes into double time it goes from from a punk rock ballad style (courtesy of the staccato picking of the bass guitar) to a punk rock song with the driving element of the drums.

Lipstick
The misleading stain of lips on a wine glasses makes for a fun miscommunication amongst two people, and yet another one of my favorite songs. It is sort of a back and forth between John and a female where he keeps getting mixed signals. Where the response is simple towards John, “You’re the one who has to live with all the shame, blame, etc, etc”.The style of dance rock is highly felt on this one as it invites to get up and move !

The Perils of Time Travel
Hypoluxo has been labeled as having a “Spacey” feel and this one expresses it. The electronics along with Nations’ echoed vocals leave this track an out of this world experience… (pun intended). Although the meaning of The Perils of Time Travel escape me, it is catchy and a well crafted song. I dig it !

The Last Few Days of This Splendid Town
The Last Few Days of This Splendid Town in a not-so-splendid town. “The town’s not worth the spit I wasted saying it’s name”. A line many of us can relate to. The guitar lick that lingers throughout the verses are simple, yet very well executed that transition into the signature rock style. Another well crafted line, “The trees are holding on with a dying affection… and I’m left sitting here with a minor infection”.

Various Hands has stood out to me so much because of their rapid success. Since 2011 until present time, they have played to sold out crowds, they have licensed their music to over a dozen television networks, and of course have their music blasting on the radio waves across the United States and Canada.

Ideally, I was sent the EP of Hypoluxo and was drawn instantly. The fusion of early rock music, punk and dance had me memorizing songs like Memphis Decisions and Lipstick before they had even ended.

Jeff Nations has the vocals of a veteran punk rocker with his own signature melodic flare. The equally talented contributions of the other Hands are what gets songs on the charts. A side note on what gives VH their style is the ability to accent and play on the upbeat more often than most. That is what gives us the bounce, or the feeling to want to dance along. A feature so well done by the drums and the second guitar as played in Memphis Decisions and Remember Me Always.

I cannot recommend Various Hands nor sing their praises enough. Their meteoric rise in less than a handful of years is enough reason to get this album. So follow them, like them, and most importantly, listen to them. Until next time, be cool! - The Skeptics Review

I was immediately interested in the group Various Hands when their EP “Hypoluxo” came across my desk for review. They hail from my old stomping grounds of St. Louis, MO. Since I lived deep in the St. Louis music scene for almost 10 years their sound brings me back to that mid-west town in a big way. In fact, a few of the members look very familiar to me.

So, the music! The band has been together for a few years and released their sophomore project back in July of 2014. I have listened to this album a few times. The music is obviously written and performed by seasoned musicians, but I’ll be honest, it took a few listens for the lead vocals to grow on me. However, after a few listens I found myself singing along and enjoying it more and more.

“Water all ‘round. No get out” is the literal translation of the title “Hypoluxo.” I guess we do learn something new everyday! The band is extremely tight and the arrangements on this EP are stellar. Guitar tones are exactly where they should be and the drummer and bass player are always locked in the pocket of the tune. I particulary like the songs “The Fleeting Starlight” and “Lipstick” in part because of their hook filled keyboard lines that pierce over the heavily distorted guitars to provide the perfect “in between” that in my opinion allows songs to breathe. In “Lipstick” I believe the guitar solo is quite possibly the highlight of the record for me. It’s not overdone and the soloist seems to understand just because they are soloing that doesn’t mean the solo needs to be flashy.

“R.M.A.” catches the listeners attention right away with a short musical guitar intro right before the band busts in to a heavy groove while bringing it back perfectly for the verses. One thing this band is really good at is texturing, building and arranging!

One thing that I like most about Various Hands is the first paragraph in their bio:

“Music is an art form, period. This is an ideal that is very obviously lost upon modern-day performers and listeners. Originality and raw creativity have taken a backseat to lavish self-imagery, autotune, lip synching and outrageous publicity stunts to distract listeners from the fact that these performers are not artists in any capacity. Mainstream music seems to be about anything and everything but art.”

That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!! I think one of the first things that popped out to me about this fine indie group is the fact that every instrument is live. They actually play their own music! I have heard from friends who live in St. Louis that the show Various Hands puts on is second to none in the local scene.

The bass intro on “Memphis Decisions (Be Cool)” sets the perfect mood for the song that follows after. The lead single finds the band exploring new instrumental territory, incorporating an Omnichord and other studio tricks. Lyrics like “And you’d like to see me open up again, And I’d revel in this time and time again, You should have thought to maybe have taped this, We’ll always know to be cool” are sung with heartfelt emotion by lead vocalist/guitarist and founder Jeff Nations.

Music is extremely repetitious and if it’s not broken up by more than 2 parts I tend to get bored fairly quick. This is not the case with Various Hands! They truly keep the attention of the listener!! Their arrangements are thoughtful and any listener can tell right away that they take their music seriously. If I had any “constructive criticism” of this group is that even though the vocals are great they are a tad flat in a few very minor places. In fact, by my ear, one or two spots sounds even out of key for a note or two. Overall, I really enjoyed this band because of the instrumentation and strong songwriting!

A few other notes that make the band stand out to me is they have secured airplay on 300+ radio stations in North America and landed licensing agreements with 14 major TV networks (including Discovery, Fox Sports, MTV, etc.). That is a huge accomplishment! Congrats to the band!

I highly recommend Various Hands and they are definitely going into my personal music collection. If you’re making a road trip, flying on a plane or just driving to work Various Hands needs to be your soundtrack. Trust me. - JoSara, Inc.

For more than a decade Jeff Nations has been chasing his own personal rock & roll dream with dogged persistence. He’s held down happy-hour gigs at Soulard bars, dabbled in music criticism, launched regional tours and, for the past few years, led the frenetic, spacey rock band Various Hands.

On its second release, the EP Hypoluxo, the quartet keeps its sound running nonstop in one direction. Various Hands has chosen “dance-rock” as its genre, and it’s fitting enough given drummer Ben Pitts’ reliance on hi-hat sixteenth notes. There are flashes of the Killers’ later singles, the faint whiff of old Incubus records and a focus on crafting dense, swirling textures around the bones of these songs.

That palette gives some muscle to the affair, as do the dense phasers and pinging bell tones that attend opening track “Memphis Decisions (Be Cool).” And much like an Edge solo in a U2 song, if you strip back the synthy, stomp-box frippery, you’re left with a workable but simple song. Nothing is wrong with that — that’s what synths and stomp-boxes are for — but it speaks to the intentions of Various Hands to coat these otherwise direct rock songs in a glossy sheen.
Dance-rock demands a certain BPM level, so the energy never really dips too low on this six-song EP. “The Perils of Time Travel” gives Nations & Co. a little more room to breathe, which allows something of a story to develop in the song. The slight discord of a guitar’s rumble opens “The Fleeting Starlight” with a little grit, though the band quickly slips back into its pocket of bouncy bass lines from Adam Wirth and fizzy synth oscillations care of Zach Meier.

Too often, though, the band’s everything-all-the-time approach to its arrangements can muddy the works. As a singer, Nations attacks his songs with high-tenor urgency, slipping up to a note with the kind of melisma that gives his vocals an elastic quality that can wear over repeated listens. He can hold a note when he wants to, but his style of vocal portamento at the upper limits of his voice defines these songs.

Hypoluxo shows a band working well within its defined constraints; the members show proficiency with the hooks and structures of modern rock & roll. Whether or not they can tinker with that formula remains to be seen.

Various Hands CD Release/Tour Kickoff Show
9 p.m. Friday, July 18. 3224 Locust Street. $7. - Riverfront Times

Various Hands is an indie band located right here in St. Louis Missouri. Their new ep, Hypoluxo, is a nice break away from conventional song-writing and offers more for the the listener. Check out what the band thinks about the ep and give Hypoluxo a listen below! - Ribbit TV

Ending out the night was Various Hands as the Who. This was the shortest set of the night due to some unfortunate technical issues. The band opened with “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” referred to by someone in the crowd as “The CSI Song,” hammering out the song with the same force as Roger Daltrey and company did back in the day. Pinball Wizard was the second tune of the night and carried the same energy as the original recording. The rhythm section was getting a workout, but that’s to be expected when trying to match Keith Moon and John Entwhistle.

There were a few issues with the laptop playing their backing tracks/synth parts, and halfway through “Won’t Get Fooled Again” it ended up cutting out and the band ended their set after two more songs. It was a shame, because the band sounded quite good and were doing a good job with the material. I wish they could have played the entire set as they’d envisioned it. My primary complaint was the lack of windmill coming from the guitarist. You can’t have the Who without the windmill. - Matt Champion, KDHX

Hi guys, welcome back to VENTS! How have you been?
Jeff Nations: We have been BUSY! We’ve basically spent the past year recording this new EP and now that it’s ready for release, we’re ready to get back out and have some fun and do some serious work.

Let´s talk about your new EP Hypoluxo. Can you tell to us more about the recording process?
JN: This was a really different one for us on an individual level. We recorded and produced the whole thing ourselves. The only thing we didn’t do in-house was the mastering. We recorded everything in our drummer, Ben’s, home studio and he served as engineer. Doing it that way allowed us to have complete control over every single aspect and it really was a positive experience even though it was painstaking at times and we hit a few snags here and there. For example, we started tracking in June 2013 and by September had finished drums, bass and guitars and were about to start tracking vocals. For some reason, which escapes me now, we decided that the drums weren’t quite sounding the way we wanted them to so we scrapped them all and rerecorded all of the drums. Of course, when you do that, all of the guitars and the bass need to be touched up as well, so we did a lot of things twice but in the end, it ended up sounding ten times better than it did the first time around.

What´s the story behind the album´s title?
JN: A couple who are very close friends of mine lived in Florida for awhile and I went down to visit them for a week back in December 2012 and the road that their house was off of was called Hypoluxo which I thought was a neat name when I first saw it. About halfway through the week, after driving the road every day, it suddenly hit me that it would make for a great album title so I made note of it and when we started discussing titles for this record, I presented Hypoluxo and everyone kind of took to it immediately and liked it. There really wasn’t a whole lot of debate over the album title and the artwork that we were considering (which is the artwork we ended up using for the EP) worked perfectly with the title so that all came about pretty easily. ‘Hypoluxo’ is a Seminole Indian word meaning, “water all ‘round – no get out”.

Where did you find the inspiration for the songs? I understand you guys were looking for new territories with this new material.
JN: It wasn’t so much that we were purposely looking for new territories. Zach (guitarist) and I had been experimenting with some new guitar techniques, such as two-handed tapping, playing with delay, etc., and I had just bought an Omnichord so we were trying new stuff and it just kind of played into where we were naturally heading as musicians. At the time we were writing, we were trying to lock in with each other and really define our sound. Our first EP was written and recorded completely by me by myself. Hypoluxo has everyone’s input and everyone contributed to the writing process so we were really feeling each other out and seeing what came of it. Adam, our bassist, had only been with the band for about three months before we started tracking so we were getting an idea of what he could do, as well. Adam also brought his Korg synthesizer into the mix which made us want to experiment even more and that synth is now very much a part of our sound.

Lyrically, I wanted to head down some new paths. My writing is very positive and even sometimes whimsical and that style is still very apparent in songs like “Memphis Decisions (Be Cool)” and “R.M.A.” but I wanted to touch on some new ideas and subjects also. “The Last Few Days Of This Splendid Town” takes more of a singer/songwriter approach, wherein I am telling a story as if reading it from a book. “The Fleeting Starlight” talks about ideas for songs that come to me in dreams which has been happening a lot lately. Everything musically and lyrically came very natural on these songs, there was never a point where anything was forced. It was kind of like, “We have these instruments at our disposal, let’s see if these songs call for them”.

Will you be hitting the road this year?
JN: We will. We have our Hypoluxo Midwest Tour running July 18-25 and we are working on some regional dates for the rest of the year as well. We plan on being very busy this fall/winter.

What else is happening next in Various Hands´ world?
JN: Right now we’re just focused on getting this EP out and promoting it. We’re going to be playing live a lot because that’s what we love the most. We’ve had the good fortune to open for a few well-known national acts which has allowed to reach some new audiences so we’re very grateful for that. Behind the scenes, we’ve been working on a couple opportunities that have been presented to us which could be very beneficial if they end up working out the way we want them to. - Vents Magazine

Want to be slapped with some throwback alternative? Various Hands will be the first to volunteer. Jeff Nations’ pop-alt outfit waves at sunny ’90s bands such as the Gin Blossoms and Counting Crows while adding tones from the current decade’s indie-rock darlings like Band of Horses and encasing it all in a sheath of Incubus-style grime. It’s a complicated combination that shouldn’t work, but Various Hands pulls it off. What else might we convince these capable, multi-talented Hands to try? We’re compiling a list. - Riverfront Times

An Under Cover Weekend needs no introduction in certain St. Louis circles. The wildly successful Friday-Saturday showcase has a very simple formula: local bands, who otherwise would be playing their original material, dedicate an evening to covering one of their favorite bands.

This year, the eighth version of AUCW, features a stacked lineup including St. Louis’ Various Hands, led by Jeff Nations, who will be performing as Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday at The Firebird.

Various Hands recently released a terrific EP called Hypoluxo. Let’s have a listen to “Memphis Decisions (Be Cool)” now.

For their Under Cover Weekend set on Saturday, Various Hands will welcome Greg Clark (of cover bands Queens Blvd and Big Rigs), who will be filling in for regular guitarist, Zach Meier, and Brian Lindsey, who will be filling in for regular drummer, Ben Pitts.

We’re excited to have Various Hands take part in our 10 to Spin series, which, you guessed it, is centered around Red Hot Chili Peppers. They’ve titled it Psychotic AND Sexy: Various Hands’ 10 Favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers Tunes, and it’s ready to roll below.

Jeff Nations:
“The Power Of Equality” (from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)
Blood Sugar Sex Magik was the first album that ever technically belonged to me. My parents bought it for me in ’92 when I was 7 or 8 years old because A) All I wanted to listen to was “Under The Bridge” and B) I guess they really weren’t aware yet that all of Chili Peppers’ songs were just dripping with blatant sexuality. It wasn’t until early high school that I actually put this album in and listened to it in its entirety and this song alone makes me regret that I didn’t do it earlier. I don’t think there’s another song in RHCP’s catalog where Anthony Kiedis sounds as passionate about what he is singing as he does in this one. I believe that he believes every word he is spitting. It’s the perfect blend of aggression and funk. Plus, ya know, that bassline…

“Especially In Michigan” (from Stadium Arcadium, 2006)
Stadium Arcadium is a great album, all around. It’s the album that really made me fall in love with John Frusciante as a vocalist and made me realize that there is so much more to him than just his insanely gorgeous guitar playing. With all the outstanding cuts on this record, this is the one I always find myself belting at the top of my lungs every time I play this album. I think the vocal melody (especially in the chorus) is what has me hooked but it also has this great buildup throughout the verses and it culminates with the chorus line, “Lions and tigers come running just to steal your luck”. I get aroused just thinking about it…

“Nobody Weird Like Me” (from Mother’s Milk, 1989)
Somehow, this song avoided my RHCP radar until I heard them play it at Scottrade Center in St. Louis in 2007. From the moment Flea launched into the opening bassline I thought my head was literally going to explode. This tune is about as intense and frantic as it gets. That’s all that really needs to be said.

“Save The Population” (from Greatest Hits, 2003)
While it’s Chad Smith and Flea who drive most of this song, it’s Frusciante who really shines on this track. This is some of John’s finest work, both guitar-wise and vocal-wise. All the lead stuff he is doing compliments Flea’s busy bassline perfectly and his background vocals help build the dynamics of the song so well. The last 57 seconds of “Save The Population” are what really sell this song for me, though. The way Kiedis and Frusciante bounce off of one another’s vocals in addition to the actual harmony they are doing…Then everything drops out but the vocals and two guitars and you really get to focus on and appreciate their voices, especially John’s which dominates that part. I get goosebumps every time I listen to that section.

Adam Wirth:
“Fight Like A Brave” (from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, 1987)
The song “Fight Like A Brave” has always stood out to me as one of the most important songs from the Slovak era of RHCP because it helped form the bridge that Kiedis needed to start writing lyrics that held deeper meaning and let the listener feel like he was showing his hidden track marks, if you’ll excuse the expression. It was a song he wrote on a flight after heading home to join his band again after a month-long stay at rehab. He finally was starting to come to terms with the fact that the best way for him to deal with his drug use was to put it into the most powerful thing he knew how to do which was make it a lyric. Although the song still has that hard-funk feel that most people remember from the early days, it finally gives people a look into Anthony’s vulnerability and was the start of what I think most people would agree was a perfect blend of Kiedis’ writing talents and Frusciante’s ability to match it with instrumentation.

“By The Way” (from By The Way, 2002)
I love “By The Way” for its strong vocals and the energetic driving chord structure. “By The Way” is a good example of Kiedis opening up into his higher vocal register. As a trained vocalist myself, I appreciate him exploring that part of his voice and trying something other than the nearly-rapping style he used to use before. He still uses that style in the song, but he makes a point to actually sing, as well.

“Road Trippin’” (from Californication, 1999)
“Road Trippin’” is a good example of the band’s versatility. It shows that they can branch away from their macho persona and image while tapping into a completely different style of music.

“Snow ((Hey Oh))” (from Stadium Arcadium, 2006)
I love listening to “Snow” because I just really love the guitar riff. Frusciante really just opens up his abilities to the listener and makes everyone just sigh, “This guy is unstoppable on that damn guitar.” It’s also just a classic sounding Chili Peppers song as far as the rest of the group goes and I appreciate them staying true to their sound.

Greg Clark:
“Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)
As a guitar player myself, I am a big fan of John Frusciante. Typically, guitar lines are what attract me to any particular piece of music. With that being said, Chad Smith and his drum track on “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” are the exception to that rule. He goes from driving the song with that recognizable back-beat in the intro and verses to sitting perfectly in the pocket and complimenting the tune in the choruses, while implementing some of the most powerful fills known to mankind. God bless you, Chad Smith.

“Higher Ground” (from Mother’s Milk, 1989)
We all know that it is not often that a cover is better than the original, especially when we’re talking Stevie Wonder. But somehow, RHCP, in their early stages, were able to accomplish such a feat. “Higher Ground” shares a similar funkiness with its predecessor, while keeping with the Chili Peppers’ rock and punk influence. And I guess Flea’s slap intro is pretty ok… - Speakers In Code

3.6 out of 5

I immediately responded to the album cover with high appreciation. From such art I see the possibility of some creative and provoking music. I can’t help but make a connection between the visual and aural aspects of an album because those are the senses that carry the most weight in such matters and therefore should share very similar levels of perfection.

With those footnotes out of the way, I can’t say I was completely satisfied with Hypoluxo’s sound. It’s part ‘90s alternative, part modern new wave, part loose rock – a concoction that takes a lot of work to make effective. The key ingredient I missed was the lack of strong electronic melody or even chord support. Dance rock needs a club sound more so than the ‘80s campiness of quick hats and bop bass prodding. There are definitely moments where it’s time to get down, but that image is accompanied with the expression of a B-52’s video and it’s just off-putting.

Following the initial efforts of “Memphis Decisions (Be Cool) and “R.M.A” I was still waiting for that track that hit from the start and kept hitting. This came in the form of “Lipstick” and “The Perils of Time Travel.” There’s great energy in “Lipstick” and the chorus mounts it all with an anthem unheard of anywhere else on the album.

On “The Perils of Time Travel” the drums highlight a recurring triad that skips along while the guitars give berth to pillars of echoing chords. This track was even better on the second listen; all the parts became stronger individually and set up bigger moments. The intro and outro were borrowed from each other to make a full circle feeling that is the perfect ending to a standout track.

As a whole, Hypoluxo might not sound relevant but they’re on the verge. I know there’s enough originality in this group to fill a studio twice over so keep an eye out. - The Equal Ground

If you're looking for a new indie-rock band to check out, then give Various Hands a listen.

There's something about this band that makes me think of summer. Listening to their music makes me yearn for July. Give their song, "Blackout Weekend" a try and you'll see what I mean.

Their album, This Party Will Be Fun., just dropped on November 22, 2011. Described as "uniqueness and fresh energy", Various Hands definitely has their own rock, "feel good", "let's party" sound. I am so glad I came across their music; they're absolutely a step above standard level indie rock. If you're from St. Louis, check them out!
- Faded Jorts

Various Hands' debut EP guarantees you that This Party Will Be Fun, and if you are into fast-paced, inventive pop/rock similar to Maroon Five you will have a good time at Jeff Nations’ party. Nations, the lead vocalist and instrumentalist – he plays and sings everything, released this energetic debut in November of 2011, and it has since launched the band in rotation on 300+ college radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Nations has signed licenses with 14 TV networks including MTV, VH1 and Discovery for possible placement in those networks’ programs.

The EP plays quickly, each song a mover devoted to get you up on your feet and singing along. It’s upbeat, anthemic quality is heavy on basic chord progressions and rapid drum beats, simple but refreshing. It’s a bouncy, fun, uncomplicated, and concise release.

“Blame It On The Night” combines a scratchy guitar riff with a foot-tapping rhythm and loyal bass line. - The Music Court

Various Hands produce a pop rock influenced debut E.P. that shows signs of real promise. This Party Will Be Fun. is a hook filled introduction to a band that is defining their sound, by taking influence from artists such as We Are Scientists and The Killers.

The E.P. opens with the track Wedding Night. A raw guitar fueled introduction reminiscent of The Manic Street Preachers circa ‘Everything Must Go’ gives the E.P. a strong and interesting opening. The composition then deviates into a more pop influenced sound that feels slightly weak in comparison to opening bars of the song.

The highlight of the E.P. is The Universal Dance. The compositions dance rock synthesizer parts mix well with the band pop rock sound, creating an energetic track that is interesting sonically. The Universal Dance is the only recording on the E.P. that really pushes the band's synth work to the front and really benefits from this decision.

Various Hands are a young band trying to define their sound, and as a result This Party Will Be Fun is an uneven release. The band seems to lack the raw energy and edge needed to stand out from their contemporaries. However, compositions like The Universal Dance show the groups potential and if these themes are explored further Various Hands will produce a more well rounded release with their second recording. - Music Review Unsigned

We are heading near the heart of America, St. Louis, Missouri, for this next review. The three piece band combines an indie dance rock style of music with a life-is-good lyrical set. They are upbeat and positive with the messages from their debut EP This Party Will Be Fun. The album is said to make listeners do more than just listen, it will make them want to join the party. The 6 track album is in stores now and gets started with an always good time “Wedding Night.” The track gets off to a strange start, but the when the vocals come in the track seems to come together. The vocals are very clear and give up a nice set of lyrics. They have a calming sound to them. The music has a great vibe and it’s pretty catchy. There are some spots that are sketchy, but for the most part the track is pretty solid. Some of the higher notes that the vocals try and reach don't quiet cut it, but the guitar solo that is stuck in there works well to pick the track up. It almost reminds me of a young, calm Green Day. “Blackout Weekend” opens with a nice fresh sound with lots of guitars running around and drums laying down a solid beat. It’s a clean number that ends up being an okay track. It’s a little slow and does have a few boring spots, but the guitar cord that plays over and over again catches your attention. To me it sounds like a coffee shop track or something that would be running during the credits of a movie. “The Universal Dance” is in the same boat as the last tune. It has some great points and attributes, but I feel that it is more of a movie tune than an album or radio track. I feel that in some sections the track could fit in Vegas as a Wayne Newton track, minus the guitar solo. The vocals have that sound to them. In the other half of the track however, the vocals have a rock vibe to them and they fit perfectly. It just sounds like to versions of the song that were remixed and smashed together, which makes for an interesting ride. “You Should’ve Thought of that Before” has a great vibe and vocals that spit out lyrics. The vocals remain clean while rattling off line by line. They are simple and elegant. The music coincides with the vocals perfectly. They run side by side like kids in an open field. It’s a fun little number. “Blame it on the Night” is an even better number with a nice funky beat that is infectious. The simple groove will have you moving without you even knowing it. The guitars are fabulous while the drums are steady. The vocals melt your ears with great lyrics. This is by far the best from the album thus far. It has everything to make it a star. I have to say, and if you read any of my reviews you know I love guitar solos, but one at the end of this number is a different story. One, I don't think they need it at all and two it doesn’t work for me. It’s too screechy and high pitched. “Everything You’re Doing (Is Bad)” wraps up the album with a fairly good number. They begin with a nice thick bass line before the other guitars and drums get involved. The vocals then enter with a crisp and clear stature. The track moves along at a pretty good pace, but there are sections that I really didn’t get into. The chorus is something that I can see a crowd signing along with as the track marches along. Overall the album is okay. I did like a lot of the music and I’m sure that many people will find it inspiring and uplifting. They might even say it’s fun, funky, and catchy. The lyrics seem to be well written which is a strong suit. The vocals are really clear throughout each track. I really like the soft touch that they put into them. The guitar solos are solid, except one which I have already mentioned. I do think that some more growing and maturing is in order though. They need to evolve just a bit and add some extra elements as well as getting just a bit harder. I feel that they are too soft too much. If it could be a little harsher it might entice some new fans to jump on board. I think that they have a nice start and solid fo - Steal The Spotlight

The Party Will Be Fun!!!

Thats the title of the band’s debut EP and is available on all major digital retailers.

Various Hands is a power trio from St. Louis (Missouri if you don’t know your states and cities) specializing in Indie/Rock (I think they use the term “Indie Dance-Rock,” which makes sense I guess because this is the type of band that I would have wanted to play at my prom if they still used live bands for that (and I don’t mean that in a derogatory sense at all). It’s very upbeat hard rock that makes you feel good about yourself even if they’re singing out death or something depressing. They just have that everything-is-going-to-be-alright aura about them.

I enjoyed the EP a lot. I received my own copy of it yesterday in the mail (thanks guys) and took for a driving test. For those of you who don’t know what a driving test is, thats when you play the CD, roll down the windows, crank up the volume, and just drive, even if you have no place to go. And I gotta say, the EP passed the driving test with flying colors. It’s very well produced, the songs are well written, and they’ve got a feel-good vibe surrounding them that attracts you like a tractor beam in Star Wars. Here are some links:

http://www.varioushands.net
http://facebook.com/varioushands
http://twitter.com/varioushands
http://varioushands.tumblr.com
http://reverbnation.com/varioushands
http://sonicbids.com/varioushands

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. - Hear Me Out

Vents: Let’s get with the basics, who’s Various Hands? How did you guys all meet?

Jeff Nations: In mid 2010 the band I was with (Science Hill) was coming to an end. I wanted to get going on another project immediately so I started writing some new stuff and began playing some solo acoustic shows here and there. In the meantime I decided I was going to record an EP myself and put a band together afterwards, that way I could have something to hand to interested parties and say, “Here’s the music to learn” and also so that when the band was assembled and ready to play live we had a CD to sell at our first show. Once I was almost finished tracking the EP I started putting ads on Craigslist and a couple other sites and started auditioning members and that’s how the band was formed.



Vents: You guys mentioned you don’t sound like any other band out there, what would you say makes you different?

Jeff Nations: Well I don’t know that we don’t sound like ANY other band out there but our style is a little off the beaten path, especially for where we’re from. I think what sets us apart is the fact that we have very high standards for our music and for music in general. We work really hard on the songs we write and we make sure that we’re always trying new things and experimenting with guitar effects/sounds, odd drum stuff, awkward breaks, etc. I think what also sets us apart is our message and the subject matter of our lyrics. I refuse to write love songs in a general sense. You’re not going to get a song from me whose main idea is, “I love you, baby. You’re my everything, I can’t live without you” or one that whines about a broken heart like every song you hear on the radio. Love might have an underlying theme in certain songs but it’s never the main subject matter. “Wedding Night”, for example, is a song about spontaneity. It’s set to story of a couple who takes off and elopes without telling anyone but it’s not about love it’s about them shaking things up and doing something completely random and spontaneous without thinking. I’ve written tunes about a pair of sunglasses, a sunset, music that comes to me in dreams, etc. I like to write about random things that most people wouldn’t think to write about. You can make it sound like you’re singing about something really important but then it turns out it’s just a song about a plot of land in the woods somewhere or something like that.



Vents: What’s the message you are looking to spread with your music?

Jeff Nations: It’s several ideas rolled into one but there are two main ones. One is that life is fun, it’s here for us to enjoy. So many bands write songs about worn out clichés like a broken heart or daddy left when I was a child but I’m still a strong person. Gimme a break. Everyone has problems, let’s focus on the good stuff. Grab a cocktail and let’s dance and drink and celebrate all the highlights. We want people to walk away from our shows with a good buzz on, drenched in sweat saying, “Now that was a good time!”



The other idea is something that people have obviously lost sight of and that is that music is an art form, the same way that painting or ballet or sculpting is an art form. It’s a privilege and a gift to have the talent to create and play music and people don’t realize that because mainstream media is forcing unoriginal shit like Katy Perry, Lil’ Wayne and Nickelback down the public’s throat. Then you have shows like American Idol and The Voice that are doing nothing but saying, “It’s ok to rip off other peoples’ original work and ideas to gain success”. That’s not ok! That’s like saying, “Alright, paint the Mona Lisa and whoever does it best will win a bunch of money and be featured in magazines and on TV, etc.”. It undermines the very idea of what art is: An ORIGINAL work and it undermines and spits on other artists who are truly creating something unique and trying to make a living off of it.



Vents: So you guys got this distribution - Vents Magazine

Pfresh: How was Various Hands created and who are your influences?
Various Hands: I conceived the idea for Various Hands in 2010. the band I was with at that point was coming to an end and I wanted to keep going with a new project. Three of the six songs on our debut EP (This Party Will Be Fun.) had already been written and I had been playing a couple of them with that previous band for a couple years but they were never recorded. I started writing more material and decided I was going to record an EP on which I performed all the instruments and did all the singing myself so I spent the better part of six months recording these six songs, working with a producer/engineer in St. Louis, MO. At the same time I started putting out ads on Craigslist and a couple other sites seeking members for this project and I started auditioning them and that's how the band came together. As for influences, as a collective unit we draw a lot of inspiration from bands (both recent and past) that are doing/have done something truly unique and original, groups like Minus The Bear, Phoenix, Talking Heads, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Cold War Kids, We Are Scientists, Genesis, Incubus, etc.

Pfresh: What's your favorite part of being involved in music?
Various Hands: I absolutely love every single thing that goes into it: Touring, writing, promoting, recording, booking...the whole deal. I basically handle all the behind the scenes stuff for us right now and when I am not working on stuff related to Various Hands I go absolutely nuts. I get so antsy and impatient, I constantly have to stay busy with it whether it's booking shows or trying to make record label contacts or doing interviews or whatever. We have to constantly be working toward that next step, that next goal whether we are on or off stage. Obviously the best part, though, is playing live and meeting new folks. There's no rush like being on stage and then to go out in the crowd and meet people who you may not have met otherwise. We like to think of ourselves as a very accessible and friendly band and we just love talking to the people that attend our shows, whether they came to see us or another band on the bill.

Pfresh: What have you been up to and what's on the horizon?
Various Hands: We're in a really exciting phase right now. This year we have been working with Tinderbox Music out of Minnesota and they helped us get our EP out to radio. Currently it's in rotation on roughly 300 FM college stations across the U.S. and Canada. Last week, also thanks to Tinderbox, we signed licenses with 14 different TV networks (including Discovery, Fox Sports, A&E, MTV, etc.) to have our music placed in some television shows on those networks so there is some potentially big time exposure to be had this summer so that is ridiculously exciting for us because this is an opportunity that has never been presented to any of us with previous bands so it's very new. We also just parted ways with our drummer and keyboardist so we're auditioning for those spots currently and looking to fill them ASAP. Once they're in place and we're a full unit again we plan on doing some regional touring and really focusing on writing new material. We're hoping to be back in the studio working on a new record by October or November. We're finally learning how each of us writes and what we're capable of and the handful of new songs we've written together so far sound really good and they have all of us giddy! Our music is only getting better. - Project Fresh

St. Louis, MO. Rocking band Various Hands have released their latest efforts entitled "This Party Will Be Fun" and from listening to this you will definitely be in for a treat. The smooth melody lines encrusted in this album make "This Party Will Be Fun" an actual fun CD to listen to. Just by the initial run through I found myself really getting fixated on the delicate song structures and how they kept me wanting to listen to each song a few more times, and with music coming out as of late it is hard to find an artist that can hold the attention of the listener. Various Hands is a really good band that sounds like they put their heart and soul into the lyrics and music itself.

"Wedding Night" is the opening track and it really sets the stage for what you will be in for. Let it be known that Various Hands definitely have the right sound for radio. This track is a strong melodic line throughout and the gifted lyrics flow effortless. A great first impression. "Blackout Weekend" is a very strong melodic song with some great guitar structured riffs which open the song and bellows through the entire mix. This song is a nice anthem for the band off "This Party Will Be Fun." You will find yourself humming along with the singer (Jeff Nations). "The Universe Dance" is a nice song which keeps you in the same framework, crafted with some very intelligent guitar blends and vocals are extremely strong, including the lyrics. "You Should've Thought Of That Before" is a strong upbeat track that really sounds like it would be a nice fit on terrestrial radio. May possibly be a single off this release. "Blame It On The Night" is a track that makes you want to get up and move to the beat and fall into the song. "Everything You’re Doing (Is Bad)" is my favorite off "This Party Will Be Fun." This track has all the elements to keep you begging for more. It is definitely an upbeat song with strong guitar/bass lines and the vocals are extremely strong. The drummer on all the tracks definitely has what it takes to make this release work.

Overview: Various Hands : "This Party will Be Fun" is a really fun release that if you are looking for a new band to get into give Various Hands the chance to seep into your mind and help you lose yourself in it. This is definitely a release that sounds like it took alot of time to make. The artists bring all their skill together and make this album work. I would recommend this to anyone who are looking for a band that has that radio friendly sound. I would say the artists whom this release sounds like or in comparison would be The Fix, U2, just to name a few. - Examiner.com

Andy D | Modern Motion | Various Hands
The Melody Inn
Thursday, February 9, 2012

Andy D returned to The Melody Inn in what you would expect to be nothing but fiesty. Teamed up with Indy’s rock band Modern Motion and St. Louis’ Various Hands, the night got sweaty and the new Northside club felt the heat on an otherwise mild late weeknight.

With a debut EP out now —The Party Will Be Fun— Various Hands take ’90s alternative buzz and wrap it all up in an upbeat indie bounce that’s reminiscent of the college rock bands of yor (early ’90s) pouring their heart out in the corner of a room luring those who get it to feel the passion.

Modern Motion is the indie rock band you have been craving for. Where the music takes on a life of its own, the band has the drive and the motive to do wondrous things. More fashionable than you could ever be, the band explores all levels of the emotional spectrum, where their live performance will take you to the edge if you let it.

Andy D is back and steaming up the windows with his explosively addictive and sex-fueled live set. He’s working on new material to follow-up Songs in the Key of Magic (Roaring Colonel). But in the meantime, like an energy drink filled with spanish fly, he’s reminding his hometown how to rock. - Zaptown Magazine

Slightly sour indie anthems that are impressively optimistic. - Roctober Reviews

Doesn’t that picture just scream happy happy joy joy?!

Well, deal with it.

Meet VARIOUS HANDS, an indie dance rock band from St. Louis, Missouri that’s sure to delight you and make you bust a groove.

You can’t help it — their music philosophy is translated into their sound of life-is-good tracks. Their latest EP ‘This Party Will Be Fun’ oozes with danceable tunes that you ought to crank out during those down times.

VARIOUS HANDS front man Jeff Nations explains why the band is all about party fun: ‘People are really being dumb-ed down these days, especially by the music that’s being force-fed to them’. And so, take it up a notch and get smart by listening and dancing to VARIOUS HANDS!

An anthem-ic record of epic proportions, VARIOUS HANDS ‘This Party Will Be Fun’ showcases Jeff and the rest of the band’s musical sensibilities. The band are Jeff Nations (vocals), Matt Koch (drums), Zach Meier (guitar/vocals), and Daniel Strain (bass/vocals), and as an indie dance rock unit, they are beyond compare. Their EP is a collection of feel-good lyricism, upbeat rhythms, and unorthodox views on life, Various Hands is ready to cement their place on the indie dance rock world.

Why ‘This Party Will Be Fun’? Jeff shares, ‘Life is fun, it’s here for us to enjoy.’ Totally!


So dance and rock out at the same time with indie band VARIOUS HANDS. Their EP ‘This Party Will Be Fun’ is now available for download at iTunes, distributed by JMD Records and INgrooves – a partner of Universal Music Group. - Music Finds

Various Hands are an indie dance rock band from across the pond in the US of A (St. Louis, Missouri to be exact)

After releasing their debut EP ‘This Party Will Be Fun’ the guys are set for good things stateside.

Musically Various Hands deliver exactly what they claim to which is “Indie dance rock that will make you want to shake it and do other stuff” and while I admit that this is true, the EP is also oddly relaxing and very easy to just sit back and chill out to.

Everything is clean and precise with this band, tracks are well written and well structured, not to mention the in tune and on point vocals. I’ll admit I found the some of the lyrics a little strange to listen to when it came to wedding night, but this could be down to the fact I’m only 17 and not the most romantic of people.

As the Ep goes on the band vary their style slightly whilst sticking to the sound that suits them so well, this is most noticeable when ‘The Universal Dance’ kicks in with probably the best intro and guitar riff of the whole album, however I can’t help but love the Bass line to ‘Everything You’re Doing (Is Bad)’ My personal favourite on the album though has to be ‘Blackout Weekend’ it’ upbeat, it’s energetic, it’s young and is the kind of track you get playing over the top of a ‘summer memories montage’

Overall I have nothing to say but good things about this band and album, if I had to sum the album up in just one sentence it would be ‘one hell of a feel good EP’ for any one who hasn’t heard the EP or heard of Various Hands go check them out now! You will not regret it.

Mindjack Rating: ! ! ! - MindjackRecords.com

Various Hands is the new project from Jeff Nations, who was the front man for St. Louis rock band Science Hill. Various Hands releases its debut EP, "This Party Will Be Fun," this weekend at the Firebird.

• What is Various Hands all about?

It's indie dance rock that has a really positive vibe to it. It's bouncy, upbeat and fun-sounding. I get so frustrated when I do listen to radio, and some of these mainstream rock bands are so generic and recycled. I try to do something different.

• What's the feeling going into your first show as Various Hands?

We're all just superexcited. We had the date booked two or three months ago, and we've been rehearsing our asses off.

• How was it pulling together Various Hands through a Craigslist ad?

I was very specific in what I was looking for. The ad was lengthy and said what I wanted soundwise and lookswise, that this is what I plan to do, this is what I'm trying to accomplish.

• What's the latest with Science Hill?

We haven't officially broken up, but we haven't been playing shows. It's pretty much done.

By Kevin C. Johnson - GO Magazine/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/STLToday.com

Every once in awhile I step outside of the political punk genre for this blog and give some props to independent bands worth a mention. This week I’ve been treated to two pre-release tunes by the Saint Louis band Various Hands. Their debut EP, This Party Will Be Fun, is being released in a month or so and I was lucky enough to get some advance singles. The tunes, especially Blackout Weekend, stir up my often hidden but still somewhat operational happy and fun sides. Vocalist Jeff Nations has a pleasant and sincere delivery with moments of impressive passion and energy. The songwriting and musical performances are equally pleasurable. I especially like the breakdowns, shifting melodies, and guitar parts. For me, the vibe of the songs bring forth a feeling of strolling around a beautiful park on a low humidity 80 degree summer day with the people I love smiling all around me. Not much music moves me like that nowadays. Various Hands has a certain happy go lucky aura without all the clichés that makes me want to listen to them more. They really do deliver the goods.

Like them on facebook and/or check out their debut EP release party at Saint Louis’ The Firebird on November 26. I just might be there, and I'd be willing to wager that I'd leave pretty happy. - Autonomy Music Reviews