The Hidden Hand

With the new album "Devoid of Color" upon the horizon, we spoke with the legend that is Wino!!!

How are things with you guys?
Good, everyone is working a lot and we are finishing up our new CVD.
Since the release of “Mother, Teacher, Destroyer”, Dave Hennessy has left the band and Evan Tanner has been recruited. How did you come across Evan and how is he settling into the band?
Evan has played in quite a number of local band's running the gamut from hardcore to emo, and Bruce[bass] recorded a lot of his bands, so he had him in mind.
Have you begun writing for the next record? Any plans as to where and when will be recorded and what is the writing process within the band? Is this a group or individual effort?
We just did 5 new songs, and on the release will be also a live DVD with studio clips life stuff, etc. We did it all, or mainly Bruce with help from some very great folks with art, layout, camera, ETC.
Any title's you can share with us?
Sure. The release is called Devoid of Color, the songs are The Key, Devoid of Color, The Dagger, Vulcan's Children, and Devoid Reprise.
"Mother, Teacher, Destroyer" had a mellower feel compared to the almost ‘punkish’ groove of "Divine Propaganda". Was this change in style between the two albums intentional and what can we expect from the new record?
We were a very new band with Divine, I was still working out some issues, the whole objective with me asking Bruce to jam was to have literally a punk rock jam. He'd been gettin back into a lot of heavier stuff at the time so... add Dave with the Psychedelic vibe and we went from this planet to another one, and enjoyed the ride!
How do you guy’s prepare for the recording of a record, what process do you employ for song selection, as all the tunes must be close to your hearts?
[On] "Mother, Teacher, Destroyer" we just put up mikes, jammed, recorded and developed the good stuff. I had never done a record that way but it was cool. A little hairy here and there....
The bands first two album’s, have been meet with a great deal of acclaim. Does this build pressure when it come’s time to writing for the new album?
No we just write what we like and think is good, we set a high bar for ourselves.
Your writing and performing relationship with Bruce Falkinburg appears to have grown album-to-album, tour-to-tour. What makes Bruce such a stimulating sparring partner?
His humor , intellect and hands on approach.
Can we expect to see The Hidden Hand on tour in Europe any time soon?
We hope Spring.
Many of the bands political frustrations have been expressed through your music. With George W Bush installed for a second term, where do you think this leaves the US domestically and the place of the US in world affairs?
Devoid of Color!

All photographs and images used with kind permission of Greg at Southern Lord.