Spade Tight

The song Spade Tight by Ten Hands from their album Kung Fu... That’s What I Like has become a favorite among the Zoo Freaks, the dedicated listeners of THE ZOO radio station, where the hippie DJ collective known as The Zoo Crew spins its funky grooves. In a 2019 interview with Dallas Music Weekly, lead vocalist and keyboardist Paul Slavens described the creation of Spade Tight as a spontaneous jam session that captured the band’s signature blend of funk, jazz, and rock. He noted, “We were just messing around in the studio, and Gary Muller started this killer bassline. It felt like a card game gone wild, hence the name.” The song’s infectious rhythm and playful lyrics, which nod to gambling and swagger, have made it a staple at live shows, with fans chanting the chorus during performances.

On social media, Spade Tight has sparked some memorable moments. In a 2022 Instagram post, the band shared a throwback video of a 1990s live performance where the crowd erupted during the song’s breakdown, with one fan climbing onto the stage to dance alongside drummer Alan Emmons. The caption read, “Zoo Freaks bring the energy every time #SpadeTightVibes.” Additionally, a fan-run Facebook group called “Ten Hands Maniacs” frequently shares stories about the song, with one member recalling a 2018 Austin gig where the band extended the track into a 10-minute jam, incorporating audience-suggested lyrics about a “cosmic card shark.” These anecdotes highlight the song’s role as a communal anthem for fans.

Ten Hands began in Dallas, Texas, in the mid-1980s, born out of the city’s vibrant underground music scene. According to their official bio on their website, the band formed when Paul Slavens, a classically trained pianist with a penchant for improvisation, met bassist Gary Muller and guitarist Steve Brand at a local jazz club. The trio bonded over their love for Frank Zappa, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Thelonious Monk, aiming to create music that defied genre boundaries. They recruited drummer Alan Emmons and saxophonist Mike Dillon, completing the lineup that would define their eclectic sound. Starting with small gigs at Deep Ellum venues, Ten Hands quickly gained a cult following for their high-energy shows and quirky lyrics, earning them a deal with a regional label by 1988.

The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring and a DIY ethos, as detailed in a 2020 X post where Slavens reflected, “We’d play anywhere—bars, warehouses, even a laundromat once. The Zoo Freaks were with us from the start.” Their breakthrough came with the 1990 album Jazz for Jerks, but it was Kung Fu... That’s What I Like in 1992 that solidified their reputation, with Spade Tight as a standout track. Despite lineup changes and a brief hiatus in the 2000s, Ten Hands has remained active, driven by their passion for live performance and fan engagement. Today, they continue to connect with audiences through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and behind-the-scenes content.

For fans looking to dive deeper, the Ten Hands Fan Site offers a treasure trove of archived photos, setlists, and fan stories, while the Ten Hands Maniacs Facebook group remains a lively hub for Zoo Freaks to discuss favorite songs like Spade Tight and organize meetups at shows. These platforms underscore the band’s enduring connection with their audience, built on decades of genre-bending music and an inclusive, celebratory vibe that keeps the Zoo Freaks coming back for more.