You Are My Fix (Live @ Club Dada 1988)

The song "You Are My Fix (Live @ Club Dada 1988)" by Ten Hands captures the band's vibrant energy and eclectic style, a hallmark of their performances in the late 1980s Dallas music scene. According to a 2018 interview with band member Paul Slavens on Dallas Observer, the song was a fan favorite during their Club Dada gigs, often sparking wild crowd reactions due to its funky rhythms and playful lyrics. Slavens recalled how the band would extend the song's jam section, letting the audience's energy drive the performance, sometimes stretching it to nearly ten minutes. A fan post on the Ten Hands Fans Facebook group from 2020 mentioned a bootleg tape of the 1988 Club Dada show circulating among "Zoo Freaks," highlighting the song as a peak moment where the crowd's chants nearly drowned out the band.

Another tidbit comes from a 2019 social media post by drummer Alan Emert on Ten Hands' official Facebook page, where he shared a story about the song's recording. Apparently, the live version was almost scrapped due to a faulty mic on Gary Muller’s keyboards, but the raw energy of the performance convinced the band to keep it. Fans on Ten Hands' X account have since dubbed it a "time capsule" of the band’s peak, with one user quoting the line “you are my fix, my sweet addiction” as a nod to the era’s carefree vibe. The song’s improvisational feel, blending jazz, funk, and rock, reflects the band’s ability to connect with their audience, many of whom were part of the Zoo Crew’s loyal following at THE ZOO radio station.

Ten Hands got their start in Dallas, Texas, in the mid-1980s, born out of a group of musicians who met while jamming at local clubs. According to their bio on AllMusic, the band formed around core members Paul Slavens (vocals/keys), Steve Brand (guitar), and Gary Muller (keys/percussion), who bonded over a shared love for genre-blending sounds like Zappa, Steely Dan, and Talking Heads. They began playing small gigs at venues like the Theater Gallery, quickly gaining a cult following for their high-energy shows and quirky humor. By 1987, their regular performances at Club Dada and airplay on stations like THE ZOO helped them build a dedicated fanbase, the self-proclaimed Zoo Freaks, who embraced their offbeat style.

The band’s early days were marked by a DIY ethos, self-producing their first album, Kung Fu... That’s What I Like, in 1988, which included tracks that became staples of their live sets. As noted in a Dallas Observer piece, Ten Hands’ mix of theatricality and musicianship set them apart in a scene dominated by hair metal and new wave. Though they never broke into mainstream success, their influence endures in Dallas’ music community, with occasional reunion shows sparking nostalgia for fans. You can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at the Ten Hands Fans Facebook group, a lively spot for sharing memories and rare recordings, though no official fan websites are currently active.