# Cold Hands

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For other uses, see [Cold Hands (disambiguation)](/source/Cold_Hands_(disambiguation)).

***Cold Hands*** is the debut studio album by American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [Boss Hog](/source/Boss_Hog), released on December 2, 1990, through [Amphetamine Reptile Records](/source/Amphetamine_Reptile_Records). The band recorded the album at Soundscape in New York City and [Steve Albini](/source/Steve_Albini)'s place in Chicago with their revolving-door "All-Stars" lineup, led by vocalist [Cristina Martinez](/source/Cristina_Martinez_(singer)) and guitarist and vocalist [Jon Spencer](/source/Jon_Spencer) and featuring guitarists Kurt Wolf, Jerry Teel, bassist [Pete Shore](/source/Unsane_(band)) and drummer [Charlie Ondras](/source/Charlie_Ondras). It is a [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock), [grunge](/source/Grunge), [garage rock](/source/Garage_rock), [noise rock](/source/Noise_rock) and [punk blues](/source/Punk_blues) album incorporating [blues](/source/Blues) and [industrial](/source/Industrial_music) influences whilst experimenting with [samples](/source/Sampling_(music)), reversed [tape loops](/source/Tape_loop), and noise.

*Cold Hands* received mixed reviews from critics, who commented on its sound and style; whilst some considered it an improvement over Martinez's and Spencer's previous band [Pussy Galore](/source/Pussy_Galore_(band)) and Boss Hog's debut [extended play](/source/Extended_play) (EP) *[Drinkin' Lechin' & Lyin'](/source/Drinkin',_Lechin'_%26_Lyin')* (1989), others criticized its pacing and considered it self-indulgent. Boss Hog embarked on a tour of Europe in support of the album in early 1991.

## Background and release

[Cristina Martinez](/source/Cristina_Martinez_(singer)) formed Boss Hog in 1989, two years after her acrimonious departure from [Pussy Galore](/source/Pussy_Galore_(band)) and a stint playing guitar for [The Honeymoon Killers](/source/The_Honeymoon_Killers_(American_band)).[1] She initially planned on singing and playing guitar in the band, but decided to recruit Pussy Galore leader and her husband [Jon Spencer](/source/Jon_Spencer) as she felt she was too uncoordinated.[2] After settling on a revolving-door "All-Stars" lineup with guitarists Kurt Wolf and Jerry Teel and drummer [Charlie Ondras](/source/Charlie_Ondras), Boss Hog released their debut extended play *[Drinkin' Lechin' & Lyin'](/source/Drinkin',_Lechin'_%26_Lyin')* (1989) through [Amphetamine Reptile Records](/source/Amphetamine_Reptile_Records).[3] With the addition of bassist [Pete Shore](/source/Unsane_(band)),[3] Boss Hog recorded *Cold Hands* in 1990 at Soundscape in New York City with engineers Peter Arsenaut and Ed Bair, except for "Red Bull", which was recorded and mixed in [Chicago](/source/Chicago) with [Steve Albini](/source/Steve_Albini).[4] The album was released through Amphetamine Reptle on December 2, 1990.[5] Its cover, featuring Martinez in a nude pose, was inspired by an [Halston](/source/Halston) advertisement featuring [Cindy Crawford](/source/Cindy_Crawford).[6] To promote the album, Boss Hog embarked on a tour of Europe[1] that commenced in February 1991[5] as a five-piece, featuring Wolf and bassist Jens Jurgensen.[7] The album has never been released on [Spotify](/source/Spotify).[8]

## Composition

*Cold Hands* is a [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock),[9] [grunge](/source/Grunge),[10][11] [garage rock](/source/Garage_rock),[12][13] [noise rock](/source/Noise_rock),[12] and [punk blues](/source/Punk_blues)[8] album that incorporates [blues](/source/Blues)[10][14] and [industrial](/source/Industrial_music) influences.[11] Its songs emphasize guitars and "beats" over vocals,[15] and experiment with [samples](/source/Sampling_(music)), reversed [tape loops](/source/Tape_loop),[15] and noise.[16] Spencer viewed the album as being "more woolly and experimental" than *Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin'*.[17] Ian Watson of *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)* described its overall mood as "desperate yet defiant", and its vocals "babbl[ing] insanely";[11] *[Metal Hammer](/source/Metal_Hammer)* likened Martinez to a "demonically possessed [fish-wife](/source/Fishwife)" with her growls.[16] In an interview with *No Trend Press*, Martinez said her lyrics were mainly about "hate and love".[7][c] Some of *Cold Hands* song titles were derived from men Boss Hog knew[18] including Shore and [Matador Records](/source/Matador_Records) co-president [Gerard Cosloy](/source/Gerard_Cosloy);[1] Martinez said they were originally planned to be working titles, but kept them as she thought it was funny and subsequently incorporated their names into the songs' lyrics.[18]

Martinez said that "Gerard" and "Eddy" are "songs about men that I have ruined".[19][d] Leo Finlay of *[Sounds](/source/Sounds_(magazine))* described the former as a "a mess of filthy blues" with "rolling" lead guitar and "frustrated" vocals from Spencer.[20] Sharon O'Connell of *Melody Maker* cited the latter as showcasing Boss Hog's "speed-lurch style" with its "slow motion, ground shaking crunch".[21] "Bug Purr" is an instrumental track that uses a cat [purr](/source/Purr) sample as a bassline[15] interspersed with wandering vocals and minimalist guitars lines.[14] The industrial track "Red Bull"[10] features a [Roland](/source/Roland_Corporation) [drum machine](/source/Drum_machine) from Albini's band [Big Black](/source/Big_Black)[22] and a guest appearance from guitarist [Santiago Durango](/source/Santiago_Durango), whilst "Go Wrong" ends with "screaming" saxophone by [Kurt Hoffman](/source/The_Ordinaires).[10] "Pete Shore" sees Martinez yell over "searing" guitars.[16] Dan McMinn of *[Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine))* likened "Domestic" to a "minimalist [Tom Waits](/source/Tom_Waits)";[15] a writer for *[CMJ New Music Report](/source/CMJ)* also stated that it "whispers tails of delight[*sic*]".[10] "Duchess" and "Pop Catastrophe" are built around live-sounding, "unfussy" arrangements,[20] with the former being a slow-paced "art-blues" song[23] with a "[swamp](/source/Swamp_rock)-[funk](/source/Funk)" riff[21] that drew comparisons with [Motown](/source/Motown),[11] [Jerry Lee Lewis](/source/Jerry_Lee_Lewis),[10] and the [Plastic Ono Band](/source/Plastic_Ono_Band).[24]

## Critical reception

*Cold Hands* received mixed reviews from music critics. Dean McFarlane of [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) considered the album to be Boss Hog's "masterpiece" and a key work of the New York underground noise rock scene, describing its style as "unprecedented".[12] Watson of *Melody Maker* believed that regardless of how one perceived Boss Hog, they "could not be accused of [...] being yet another stupid American noise band" and that "there's no denying that [the band] have stumbled upon one hell of a sound".[11] [Edwin Pouncey](/source/Savage_Pencil) of *[NME](/source/NME)* remarked that "What once spat and clawed as Pussy Galore now roars like the full blown exhaust of some greasy biker gang" and that the album "successfully kicks your head round the room to leave you aching for more",[25] whilst Finlay of *Sounds* viewed the album as providing a "more reliable noise" than Pussy Galore.[20] Sebastien Zabel of *[Spex](/source/Spex_(magazine))* praised the album for being more grounded than Pussy Galore's output, though he felt its "many clever individual parts" were obscured by Boss Hog "plastering over" song structures and criticized its first half's "undynamic wallowing in a bath of noise".[23][e] Bill Wyman of *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* compared the album unfavorably with Big Black and criticized its "paucity" of energy and melody, citing "Eddy" as its sole song with a "discernible guitar riff".[9]

In *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*, [David Fricke](/source/David_Fricke) described *Cold Hands* as a "[Cuisinart](/source/Cuisinart) fusion of garage groove, industrial grunge and willful aural [sadism](/source/Sadomasochism)".[13] *Metal Hammer'*s Technicolor Twins felt the album would appeal to those who enjoyed "experimental, tuneless, hardcore, wierd shit" and that it was "[a]lmost so bad it's kinda good".[16] Jeremy Clarke of *[Q](/source/Q_(magazine))* described the album as "nine painfully slow nuggets of sonic indigestion",[26] whilst *[Ruta 66](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruta_66_(revista))**s Manolo Torres derided it as "auditory sadomasochism", believing there to be "no other intention than perverse entertainment, the cellular mutilation of rock carried out for the pure pleasure of what happens."[24][f] Deborah Sprague of*****[Trouser Press](/source/Trouser_Press)*likened the album to a [vanity press](/source/Vanity_press) book with its "reliance on in-jokes [...] and calculatedly rakish rhythmic stratagems".[27] [Colin Larkin](/source/Colin_Larkin) of*[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music](/source/The_Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music)*felt that, as with*Drinkin' Lechin' & Lyin**, the band's provocative image failed to live up to its musical style.[28]

## Personnel

Personnel per liner notes.[4] **The Boss Hog All-Stars**

- [Cristina Martinez](/source/Cristina_Martinez_(singer)) – [vocals](/source/Singing)
- [Jon Spencer](/source/Jon_Spencer) – [vocals](/source/Singing), [guitar](/source/Guitar)
- [Kurt Wolf](/source/Kurt_Wolf) – [guitar](/source/Guitar)
- Pete Shore – [bass guitar](/source/Bass_guitar)
- [Charlie Ondras](/source/Charlie_Ondras) – [drums](/source/Drum_kit)
- [Jerry Teel](/source/Jerry_Teel) – [guitar](/source/Guitar)

**Guest Stars**

- [Santiago Durango](/source/Santiago_Durango) – guitar (4)[10]
- [Kurt Hoffman](/source/The_Ordinaires) – saxophone (5)[10]

**Production**

- Peter Arsenault – [engineering](/source/Audio_engineer), [mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) (1–3, 5–9)
- Ed Bair – engineering, mixing (1–3, 5–9)
- [Steve Albini](/source/Steve_Albini) – engineering, mixing (4)

**Artwork**

- [Michael Lavine](/source/Michael_Lavine) – photography
- Jens Jurgenson – band photography

## Notes

1. Tracks 1–3, 5–9[4]

1. Track 4[4]

1. Quotes are translated from the original text: "hass und liebe"

1. Quotes are translated from the original text: "Songs über Männer sind, die ich zugrunde gerichtet habe"

1. Quotes are translated from the original text: "das Songgerust zukleistern und es einige" [...] "undynamische Rumgesuhle im Lärmbad"

1. Quotes are translated from the original text: "sadomasoquismo auditivo. No parace haber otra intención que la del entretnimiento perveso, la mutilación celular del rock efectada por el puro placer de probar a ver que pasa."

## References

1. Sonn, Marlena (December 1991). ["Control Hogs on the Road To Ruin"](https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-alternative-press-43-control-hogs-on-the-road-to-ruin-3200-words-press-us/). *[Alternative Press](/source/Alternative_Press_(magazine))*. Vol. 6, no. 43. [ISSN 1065-1667](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1065-1667). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240619141750/https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-alternative-press-43-control-hogs-on-the-road-to-ruin-3200-words-press-us/) 2024-06-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-03-01. – via Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk.

1. Gladstone, Eric (January 1996). ["Boss Hog: The Truth is Marching In"](https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-alternative-press-the-truth-is-marching-in-press-us/). *[Alternative Press](/source/Alternative_Press_(magazine))*. Vol. 10, no. 90. pp. 54–56. [ISSN 1065-1667](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1065-1667). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240615095301/https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-alternative-press-the-truth-is-marching-in-press-us/) 2024-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. – via Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk.

1. Bell, Johnathan (2003). ["Boss Hog"](https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse/mode/2up). *The Rough Guide to Rock*. 3rd ed. Buckley, Peter (ed.). [Rough Guides](/source/Rough_Guides). pp. 127–128. ISBN 9781858284576. – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. [Boss Hog](/source/Boss_Hog) (1990). *Cold Hands* (liner notes). [Amphetamine Reptile Records](/source/Amphetamine_Reptile_Records). ARR 89192-1.

1. ["Boss Hog – Cold Hands"](https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-cold-hands-press-release-germany/) (Press Release). Germany: [Amphetamine Reptile Records](/source/Amphetamine_Reptile_Records). 1990. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260306164003/https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-cold-hands-press-release-germany/) 2026-03-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-01. – via Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk.

1. Schoemer, Karen (June 8, 1992). ["She's the Boss"](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jOMCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q&f=false). *[New York](/source/New_York_(magazine))*. Vol. 25, no. 23. p. 24. [ISSN 0028-7369](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0028-7369). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260403133055/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jOMCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q&f=false) 2026-04-03 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Leder, Tilman & Zimmerman, Sven (1991). ["Boss Hog"](https://archive.org/details/no_trend_press_08/page/22/mode/2up) (in de-DE). *No Trend Press*. No. 8. pp. 22–24. [OCLC 722620544](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/722620544). – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. Brannigan, Paul (2023-10-07). ["10 brilliant punk and alt. rock albums that you won't find on Spotify"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-brilliant-punk-and-alt-rock-albums-that-you-wont-find-on-spotify). *[Louder](/source/Louder_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231007231227/https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-brilliant-punk-and-alt-rock-albums-that-you-wont-find-on-spotify) 2023-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-03-01.

1. Wyman, Bill (1991-02-01). ["Cold Hands"](https://ew.com/article/1991/02/01/cold-hands). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151011221413/https://ew.com/article/1991/02/01/cold-hands) 2015-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-24.

1. ["Jackpot"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1990/CMJ-New-Music-Report-1990-12-14.pdf). *[CMJ New Music Report](/source/CMJ_New_Music_Report)*. Vol. 25, no. 1. December 14, 1990. p. 6. [ISSN 0890-0795](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0890-0795). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210927004340/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1990/CMJ-New-Music-Report-1990-12-14.pdf) 2021-09-27 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Watson, Ian (February 2, 1991). "Albums". *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)*. Vol. 67, no. 5. [IPC](/source/TI_Media). p. 30. [ISSN 0025-9012](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0025-9012)

1. MacFarlane, Dean. ["Cold Hands - Boss Hog"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/cold-hands-mw0000313373). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141028144437/http://www.allmusic.com/album/cold-hands-mw0000313373) 2014-10-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-01-24.

1. Fricke, David (February 7, 1991). "On the Edge". *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. No. 597. p. 80. [ISSN 0035-791X](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0035-791X)

1. Erika (1991-02-27). ["Derm Adent Und Liebeskumer"](https://taz.de/!1730470/) [Heartbreak and Adventure - Tip] (in German). *[Die Tageszeitung](/source/Die_Tageszeitung)*. [ISSN 0931-9085](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0931-9085). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260324130438/https://taz.de/DERMADENUNDLIEBESKUMMER-TIP--BOSS-HOG/!1730470/) 2026-03-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-03-06.

1. McMinn, Dan (May 1991). ["Spins"](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2ECECiLZfOMC&pg=PA79). *[Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine))*. Vol. 7, no. 2. p. 79. [ISSN 0886-3032](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0886-3032)

1. The Technicolor Twins (March 18, 1991). "LP Reviews". *[Metal Hammer](/source/Metal_Hammer)*. Vol. 6, no. 6. UK: Rock Team Publishing. p. 32. [ISSN 0955-1190](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0955-1190)

1. Andrews, Mark (2017-03-21). ["Back In The New York Groove: Boss Hog Interviewed"](https://thequietus.com/interviews/boss-hog-interview/). *[The Quietus](/source/The_Quietus)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240621200515/https://thequietus.com/interviews/boss-hog-interview/) 2024-06-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-03-03.

1. Worley, Gail (June 2000). ["She's the Boss: An Interview with Cristina Martinez of Boss Hog"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010717120618/http://www.ink19.com/issues/june2000/inkSpots/bossHog.html). *Ink19*. Archived from [the original](http://www.ink19.com/issues/june2000/inkSpots/bossHog.html) on 2001-07-17. Retrieved 2026-03-03.

1. von Felbert, Oliver (April 1991). ["Boss Hog: Der Willie Zur Wollst"](https://archive.org/details/spex-1991-04/page/20/mode/2up) [The Will to Lust] (in de-DE). *[Spex](/source/Spex_(magazine))*. pp. 20–21, 65. [ISSN 0178-6830](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0178-6830). – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. Finlay, Leo (1991-01-26). ["Albums"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Sounds/90s/Sounds-1991-01-26-S-OCR.pdf). *[Sounds](/source/Sounds_(magazine))*. Spotlight Publications. p. 41. [ISSN 0144-5774](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0144-5774). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220909020952/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Sounds/90s/Sounds-1991-01-26-S-OCR.pdf) 2022-09-09 at the Wayback Machine. – via worldradiohistory.com.

1. O'Connell, Sharon (March 16, 1991). "Live! Boss Hog". *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)*. Vol. 67, no. 11. [IPC](/source/TI_Media). p. 27. [ISSN 0025-9012](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0025-9012)

1. K.Z. & Cathimini (March 1996). ["Boss Hog: Dulce Estrangulamiento"](https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-ruta-66-dulce-estrangulamiento-press-spain/) [Sweet Strangulation] (in Spanish). *[Ruta 66](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruta_66_(revista))*. No. 115. p. 27. [OCLC 436489395](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/436489395). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260302135200/https://pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-ruta-66-dulce-estrangulamiento-press-spain/) 2026-03-02 at the Wayback Machine. – via Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk.

1. Zabel, Sebastien (February 1991). ["LP Kritik"](https://archive.org/details/spex-1991-02/page/44/mode/2up) (in de-DE). *[Spex](/source/Spex_(magazine))*. p. 45. [ISSN 0178-6830](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0178-6830). – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. Torres, Manolo (March 1991). ["Microsurcos"](https://archive.org/details/ruta-66-numbers-50-100/Ruta%2066%20-060/page/n55/mode/2up) [Microgrooves] (in Spanish). *[Ruta 66](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruta_66_(revista))*. No. 60. p. 56. [OCLC 436489395](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/436489395). – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. Pouncey, Edwin (February 9, 1991). "Short Circuit". *[NME](/source/NME)*. [IPC](/source/TI_Media). p. 31. [ISSN 0028-6362](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0028-6362)

1. Clarke, Jeremy (March 1991). "Boss Hog: Cold Hands". *[Q](/source/Q_(magazine))*. No. 55. [EMAP](/source/EMAP). p. 65. [ISSN 0955-4955](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0955-4955)

1. Sprague, Deborah (1997). ["Boss Hog"](https://archive.org/details/trouserpressguid00robb_1/page/106/mode/2up). *The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock*. Robbins, Ira (ed.). [Simon & Schuster](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster). p. 107. ISBN 9780684814377. – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)

1. Larkin, Colin (ed.) (2006). "Boss Hog". *The Encyclopedia of Popular Music*. Vol. 1. 4th ed. MUZE. p. 765. ISBN 9780195313734.

## External links

- *[Cold Hands](https://www.twintonedigital.com/boss-hog)* at [Twin/Tone Records](/source/Twin/Tone_Records)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cold Hands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Hands) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Hands?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.