Show Review June 2007

Finally, two-thirds of Curious Hands, co-songwriters Tyler Riggs and John Barrios, took the stage and–in what I perceived as a shared interest in moving things along–offered fairly brief but amusing answers to a short list of questions. (Barrios later apologized to me via email for "being a goof" during our interview.) But, however goofy, Riggs and Barrios (drummer Nick LaRue used the set's acoustic-ness as an excuse to take the night off) were good sports about the fact that a fair chunk of the audience had retired for the evening by the time they went on–guess that's what you get around midnight on a Sunday night.

Barrios told me after the show he was excited for out-of-town friends to hear the podcast, though, and he even offered a follow-up answer to my question about "Ogopogo" via email, saying, "I guess [it's] really about personal change and belief. Its' hard to portray that, but that's where it comes from. It's a pop song at best." Brief answers aside, hearing the Hands' pop-punk songs delivered acoustically was freakin' rad, and they finished the night off on a majorly fun note.

http://localcut.wweek.com/2007/06/27/lc-podcasts-portland-lounge-series-ix-with-mbilly-yoyodyne-curious-hands/

Saturday April 7th [PUNKISH POP] Local trio Curious Hands is a filthy pop beast that ranges from noisy, somewhat grating punk stylings to sweet, high energy power pop. Guitarists/singers Jack Tuftee (a.k.a. John Barrios of Love Harder fame) and Tyler Riggs (Die Kapitalist Pig, Jesus Burger) and drummer Nick LaRue take all things catchy and turn 'em up a notch. Nah nah nahs are laid over crunchy guitars, power riffs mingle with a clickety-clackety ride cymbal and classic fills, and clever lyrics are delivered with just enough vocal strain to make Curious Hands tunes hurt real good. AMY MCCULLOUGH. Red Room. 9 pm. Free. 21+.