You Are My Fix (Live @ Club Dada 1988)

Little information exists about the song “You Are My Fix (Live @ Club Dada 1988)” by Ten Hands from their album The Big One Is Coming, but the live recording captures the band’s vibrant energy at Club Dada in Dallas, Texas, a venue known for hosting eclectic acts during the late 1980s. The performance, part of a legendary 1988 show, showcases the band’s fusion of funk, jazz, and rock, with frontman Paul Slavens delivering quirky, improvisational vocals. According to a review by Christian Huey on tenhandsmusic.com, the Club Dada gigs were among the band’s finest, with the crowd’s enthusiasm fueling extended jams and unexpected tangents, though specific anecdotes about “You Are My Fix” remain scarce. The song’s inclusion on the live album highlights its role as a fan favorite, likely driven by its infectious groove and the band’s playful stage antics, which often included humorous banter and theatrical flourishes.

Ten Hands formed in Dallas in the mid-1980s, emerging from the city’s vibrant Deep Ellum music scene. The band, led by vocalist and keyboardist Paul Slavens, alongside Steve Brand (guitars), Gary Muller (Chapman Stick), Earl Harvin (drums), and Mike Dillon (percussion), blended funk, jazz, rock, and world music into a distinctive sound. They began as a local act, playing clubs like Club Dada and building a loyal following through high-energy live shows. Their early years were marked by relentless gigging, with Slavens’ offbeat charisma and the band’s instrumental prowess earning them a reputation as a must-see act. By 1988, when The Big One Is Coming was recorded, Ten Hands had honed their craft, with their live performances showcasing a tight yet adventurous style that resonated with audiences.

The band’s official website, tenhandsmusic.com, offers updates on their music and history, including details about their discography and past performances. On social media, Ten Hands maintains a presence through their Facebook page, where fans share memories of past shows and discuss the band’s influence. While no official Instagram or X accounts are currently active for the band, fans can connect through the Ten Hands Fans Facebook group, a community where “Zoo Freaks” and other devotees post about favorite songs like “You Are My Fix” and share rare photos or recordings. The MySpace page for Ten Hands, myspace.com/tenhands, though largely inactive, remains a nostalgic archive of their early online presence.

Fan websites dedicated to Ten Hands are limited, but the band’s legacy lives on through fan-driven efforts like the Ten Hands Fans Facebook group, where discussions often revisit the magic of their 1980s and 1990s performances. The group serves as a hub for sharing trivia, such as the band’s penchant for incorporating environmental themes into songs like “Pollution Song,” which took a Beastie Boys-inspired turn during the Club Dada shows. While Ten Hands never achieved mainstream fame, their cult following remains strong, with fans celebrating their innovative sound and the communal vibe of their live shows, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of tracks like “You Are My Fix.”