The Handkerchiefs

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Handkerchiefs


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Issaquah, Washington, USA
Genre = Garage rock
Punk
Easy Listening
Years_active = 1980–1980
Label = Bouillabaisse Records
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Danforth Wade
Ernesto Sisson

The Handkerchiefs was an indie rock group from Issaquah, Washington. Their sound was an odd mix of mainstream punk, light classical, and old school rap.

History

Danforth Wade and Ernesto Sisson formed The Handkerchiefs in early 1980. Wade's uncanny impersonation of Chrissie Hynde [Stabilo, Porky. "(Chr)Issie or Isn't He? Danforth Reveals the Man Behynde the Voice", Squak 'n' Roll Reader. (March 13, 1980). Page 3.] led to a hasty recording of covers of The Pretenders' debut album. Their cover of "Brass in Pocket" received frequent airplay on Seattle pirate radio station KLTZ (not to be confused with KLTZ of Glasgow, Montana). KLTZ's airplay brought no commercial success due to copyright violations, but did introduce the band to shark magnate and Bouillabaisse Records founder J.R.W.W. Higginbotham. Higginbotham encouraged Wade and Sisson to release an EP, but they were reluctant; Wade in particular preferred to focus on pursuing a chemistry degree.

In May, 1980, The Handkerchiefs recorded "Jumpin off the Deck and Breakin Your Neck", and released it as a single under the Bouillabaisse Label, available primarily by mail order and in Issaquah grocery stores. Critics dismissed it as obtuse and repetitive [Stabilo, Porky. "Break My Neck ... Please!" Squak 'n' Roll Reader. (May 17, 1980). Page 2.] , and indeed the entire song is just repetitions of the title. The B Side, "No Dogs Allowed", was a primitive chant decrying dogs not being allowed in school (a thinly-veiled satire about the anti-Madalyn Murray O'Hair movement), as well as mocking the Dallas Mavericks woeful 1980 season [Matter, Auntie. "That Nose Won't Blow: the Handkerchiefs Go to the Dogs" Squak 'n' Roll Reader. (June 4, 1980). Page 7.] . "No Dogs Allowed" was later recognized as an early example of Pacific Northwest old school rap. From 1998 to 2000 it was played at Seattle SuperSonics home games while introducing the Dallas Mavericks lineup. It also was occasionally covered by The Roots during their 2004 tour. [http://www.therootslive.com/trade/roots_05.html] .

"Jumpin off the Deck and Breakin Your Neck" received very little attention from the press upon its release, both because of Higginbotham's inept marketing strategy and the media's coverage of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. In addition, they were reluctant to perform; Wade was an Orthodox Jew, which prevented Friday night shows. Similarly, Sisson was a Seventh-Day Adventist, and refused to perform on Saturdays. Wade's employment at "Pizza and Pipes" occupied his Sundays through Thursdays. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is no documentation of the Handkerchiefs ever performing live.

In June 1980, the Hankerchiefs broke up. Sisson left the music industry altogether. Wade occasionally gave solo performances at KLTZ charity events, and also did voiceovers for KLTZ's serial radio drama, "Suspense Theater". His introduction to the "Country Music Horror" episode has achieved cult status in the Pacific Northwest, and is cited as the origin of the slang phrase "country music horror" (meaning "bummer") [Marinara, Ricky. "Lexicon of Cringe: Breaking the Hankie Code" (April 1, 1993). Issaquah Trumpet-Comet. Section 9, Page 1.] . In 1985, he debuted an Off-Broadway production of his one-man show, Charlemagne; the show closed after two performances. Despondent, Wade abandoned show business and pursued a career as a dental hygienist. He currently lives in Big Pine, California. Sisson is now a Presbyterian minister, and declines all requests for interviews.

Discography

Albums

* "Q:Are We Not The Pretenders? A:We Are Not. We are the Handkerchiefs" (1980, Self-Published)

ingles

* "Jumpin off the Deck and Breakin Your Neck / No Dogs Allowed" (1980, Bouillabaisse)

Influences

*The Pretenders
*Classix Nouveaux
*Richard Clayderman
*Vexed

Bands Influenced by The Handkerchiefs

*The Roots
*Marcel Pagnol
*Rakim
*The Replacements
*Modest Mouse
*The Hives
*Michael Buble
*Les Satellites

References