Cut Off Your Hands – Popscene, San Francisco, CA

A great record is like having a crush on a girl: the first date can make or break the affair. When I first heard the new LP, You and I, from Cut Off Your Hands, I got all pinkygoo, weak in the knees. Would this infatuation be fleeting, or would we be picking out curtains together at IKEA? With Noise Pop, SXSW, and every other summer festival shifting into high gear for the months ahead, I was graced with the chance to catch the New Zealand four-piece at the local indie circuit, Popscene, in San Francisco.

Amidst the greased up, 30 somethings, and nonchalant, by the book SF-hipsters, Cut Off Your Hands kicked right into “You and I” with the kind of intro that hits you dead in the chest. Every shout, clap and crispy chord from bassist Phil Hadfield and drummer Brent Harris was on point. Lead singer, Nick Johnston, rages on stage with a type of voracity that makes you wonder if his heart would stop if he himself were to stop moving. I found myself forgetting to shoot photos (this never happens, ask my friends) of the band as infectious tunes such as “Still Fond”, Happy As Can Be”, and “Turn Cold” got me and the rest of the room loose. If you have the chance to catch these Kiwi’s you wont regret it.

As far as the romance is concerned: Will we have a second date? Will our nights be filled with me and a Peter Gabriel-blaring boom box over my head? Magic eightball says… “All signs lead to yes!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKk1g0YpQCQ

More photos from the event can be found on our Flickr account.

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