It may be set to a drum machine and singing synthesizer, but the lyrics quoted above sum up the music of The Secret Handshake better than any biography ever could. Originally formed in 2004 by Dallas native Luis Dubuc, the idea that started as a side-project has become an underground phenomenon made evident by The Secret Handshake’s recent signing to Triple Crown Records as well as the sold-out shows Dubuc has played with just a few self-released recordings to his name.
Initially a metal drummer, Dubuc quickly felt limited playing aggressive music, and after witnessing a life-changing Mouse On Mars show, he bought a laptop and began experimenting with electronic sounds. “It was really liberating,” Dubuc explains. “Suddenly there was a new way for me to create music without a stereotypical band.”
However, he didn’t realize how successful these bedroom anthems would be until he took his show on the road. “I did a month-long DIY tour playing in every basement and garage in the world and it was awesome,” Dubuc says about TSH’s early days. “I’d toured before, but never in that personal way.”
One of the people who instantly latched onto Dubuc’s sound was Triple Crown Records owner Fred Feldman, who flew out to see The Secret Handshake after hearing a demo of the band’s breakout single, “Coastal Cities.” The song features an instantly recognizable piano melody, electronic flourishes and an infectious chorus that soars above the any skyline. But despite instantly accessible tracks such as “Coastal Cities,” Dubuc is quick to point out that The Secret Handshake has many more sides to it.
In March 2007, The Secret Handshake released its widely-received Summer Of ’98 EP, which featured remixes by Spank Rock and P.O.S. This fall, the band will put out its debut full-length, One Full Year recorded by Ocelot, an up-and-coming production team comprised of Cory Kildruff and James Welsh. The 14 songs on One Full Year are as varied as Dubuc’s myriad of influences. Although …And You Know Us By The Trail Of Dead’s bassist, Neil Busch, lends his skills to a few tracks, the album is ultimately Dubuc’s seemingly disparate influences recontextualized into one cohesive collection. “I want this record to surprise and shock a lot of people, you know?” Dubuc says. And whether it’s the shredding guitar solo on “Gamegirl” or the glitchy “Too Young,” there are plenty of moments that will catch each listener off guard on the disc.
Dubuc plans on packing up the SUV and touring for most of 2007 on every type of bill from emo to hip-hop. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you hear a new song or two live. “I’ve already demoed four songs for the new album which will come out in, like, 2009,” the prolific songwriter explains. “Funny enough, it sounds completely different than anything else that’s coming out.”
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