I heard a lot about this band. The singer used to sing for the band Copper. During the time Copper existed I liked listening to it so a good reason to check out this band. I am glad that bands with a female-singer are getting more used. I really like listening to these kinds of bands. It is stupid that I have to write female singer but hey isn't reality in hardcore world? In my eyes hardcore used to be male-dominated. I really like the combination of pretty heavy rock with a good singer that can sing smooth and high! Of course I am going to compare this with my favourite band in this genre: Ashes. Idle hands has more energy and is more up tempo. But the voices of these two ladies are both really nice and clear. While listening to this CD I heard some Baby Gopal/ Sri influences. The booklet of the CD is pretty simple but functional. Another good release of Trustkill, the record label that hardcore keeps existing. The CD has 10 songs and covers 35 minutes.

Inside Knowledge (March 2001) When I got my hands on their four track mcd "Treaty" two years ago, I just couldn’t believe how catchy this band was. I just had to play this record from dawn ‘til dusk seven days a week. I was really looking forward to this full length called "Building a Desert", since the ep was wearing thin. This Californian band has succeeded in keeping my hopes up. You might call this band emo, punkrock or whatever, but what I really like is this special way singer Meaghan uses her voice. I’m almost ashamed to say so, but it reminded me of The Cranberries. And there is more to it: Idle Hands also uses punk and rock ingredients to spice things up a little, and futhermore all songs are on the same high level. The lyrics that accompany these great tracks are really easy to understand, and they are like little stories put to music. I’m not going to talk about best record of 2001 just yet, but they are way up there.

It's been a long time since I've heard a band that could mix punk, hardcore and melody and really impress me. Idle Hands has done this perfectly, and with the voice of Meaghan Ball, it's even better. One night when three of the guys from Suburban Empire and Meaghan Ball, from Copper, were talking in the back of a Saturn about their desire to do something new musically, Idle Hands was formed.  Since that night at a Denny's back in 1998, Idle Hands has been dedicated to practicing and writing religiously as well as playing as many shows as humanly possible. "Building a Desert" makes me dance every time I put this CD in my player.  Get this CD and be the cool kid before everyone else finds out about them.

Oh Meaghan - Please Please Please marry me, for I have fallen in love with your sexy voice and awesome lyrics. I know she probably hears that all the time, but it's true, Idle Hands are definetly a very good and talented band. This Cd covers all emotions possible, love, hapiness, dispair, but it's so easy to take because it's melodic, beautifully arranged, and the vocals make everything perfect.This band is comprised of 3 members of Suburban Empire and Meaghan is formerly of Copper - so these guys are not new to the scene by far. I believe them to be one of Trustkill's underrated bands, because I believe this this was a fantastic discovery for me. The sound could be described as poppy-emo with touches of old school hardcore and punk... it all blends together quite nicely, despite how hard it is to mix those styles. My suggestion, take my advice and get this cd. It's awesome for any occasion, and hopefully it will be as good to you as it has been to me. And Meaghan, if you read this, drop me a line :)

What do you get when you combine the Cranberries and Emo? Idle Hands. Going in I was not really sure what to expect, after about ten spins through I am hooked. This is powerful shit emotionally. Read on. The best part about Idle Hands is Meaghan's ability to tell a story, and rock in the process. Although there are some similarities to the Cranberries, Idle Hands is distinctly different in that they are far heavier than "Zombie" by the Cranberries could ever dream of being. The very first track hits that emotional nerve in your spine. "Bitter Melody" starts off with on coming drums; the guitars make an appearance, and in comes the star. Mr's. Ball hits hard speaking about a certain loved one who is never there for her. Thus the chorus part which goes like this "Now all our days together turn to days spent apart. Well tell me what's this lucky girl to do? I don't want to be forever longing for you in some bitter melody." Simply amazing! "Still Standing" is a faster paced track that captures an even greater essence of the Cranberries, and although the influences are painfully apparent, Meaghan takes it to another level both lyrically, and a greater dash of aggression…and you could even say emotion. Very powerful! And the guitars on this track are catchy. "Behind My Back" starts off real heavy, but this gives away to Idle Hands normal sound. Kind of has a feel of Boy Sets Fire. During the chorus the guitars go back to being heavy. Ball crunching guitar licks supply the backbone for Meaghan's sweet and sincere voice of reason. "Take The Stage" is the last track I want to bring to your attention. Here Meaghan sings to a piano and a subtle punk guitar lick is underneath. She really hits her stride here, and the band shows how incredibly diverse they are. Mid way they take it up a notch, and the rhythm speeds up. Technically it really is a very well thought out track that takes you on a myriad of emotions. Just a side note, "Take The Stage" is about somebody who was a big star, made some money, and now that person is nothing. I lied, one more song. "Support" is a kick ass punk track. You gotta hear this. It is tremendous! Idle Hands is not your normal Trustkill band. Usually at the end of a CD your ready to hit whoever is in the room over the head. Not so with Idle Hands! This CD will make you move with your friends, reflect on life, and even make you cry. On the press packet they are called pop punk, I'd call it Emo, and Emo at it's best. Scale of 1 to 10: 9.5 out of 10, my only complaint is it isn't a double CD.

Wow, this is so good! Poppy, yet still heavy hardcore with amazing female singing. Both melodic and memorable. The vocalist used to be in a band called Cooper, a band that I could never really get into, but I’m totally digging this. A lot of the songs are very upbeat, with great writing and good tempo variation. While certain areas are borderline three chord hardcore, there are also some harder slow breaks and emo leanings. Good production, too. There’s a bit of separation between instruments, but everything sounds slick individually. The lyrics run the gamut from personal subjects such as troubled relationships to reminiscing about the early days of the hardcore scene. Not bad, a few moments do tend to run together, but the best parts really jump out at you. Definitely recommended for anyone who is into melodic and upbeat hardcore punk. Great disc.

Out of Orange County, Idle Hands have produced one of the catchiest pop rock albums in the scene today. Fans of Copper, Discount and SoCal pop punk will eat this band up, spit them out and demand more. Feature distinctive vocals of Meaghan Ball.

Trustkill Records is known for their mix of some of the best hardcore and metal on the underground scene today, so to say Idle Hands is a bit of a shock to the ears is to put things mildly. This is not a typical Trustkill album, I mean it is entirely pop/punk with female vocals. One could possibly compare them to such acts as The Cranberries, but where the Cranberries suck, Idle Hands somehow pull off the unthinkable, persuading a die-hard fan of hardcore and crossover to enjoy them. The songs on Building a Desert make it painfully hard NOT to enjoy this 10 track cd. Lead singer Meaghan Ball has a voice that is sweet yet somehow is hypnotizing as well. Listen to this album with an open mind, and I guarantee it will grow on you. Key tracks on Building a Desert would have to be Still Standing, Home of the Hits, and Bitter Melody. Bitter Melody has the feel of an alternative pop song, but with Chris Mohney's drum techniques and the somewhat Offspring-ish guitars, it is my personal favorite song. Still Standing shows the band's obvious punk roots, yet don't drown in them, and instead add a femininity to the song that makes it fun and oddly delicate. While Idle Hands could easily be heard in a small club with acts such as A New Found Glory but they have the versatility to also be capable of being heard in the background of a Dawson's Creek episode. I have to give two thumbs up to Trustkill with this release just for having the balls to put it out, it certainly is unlike anything else they have released, and although very mainstream, it is still an excellent disc.

Hey. Forget Tilt or Kittie, Meghan flat out makes my dick hard. This album not only gets my panties in a bunch but the music, which is reminiscent of New Found Glory's style of pop punk to insane breakdowns, is fucking amazing. If you don't pick this one up and listen to it on every road trip you don't know what you're missing. And try not to jerk off to the inside sleeve. I did and it makes it hard to read the words.

Copper. Ever hear of them? If you have then you will love this band called Idle Hands, because the lead singer Meaghan (from Copper) is in it! Okay, so maybe you don’t know who Copper is. They are one of the original melodic hardcore bands from back in the day - one of the few bands back then to successfully have a girl lead singer and make it work (other than Ashes). Meaghan, originally from Buffalo and where Copper was from, got up and moved out to California to experience a new life and start a new band to the delight of everyone in the scene. The “Treaty” EP release this past year was four songs that had you knowing that Meaghan was still writing great lyrics, but this time they were a bit more upbeat. This time around Idle Hands talks about enjoying life and not dwelling on the bad parts of life. This is a great new direction and the four song EP was just a teaser for the new full-length. The new record, “Building A Desert,” which will be released June 27 is more of the same from the EP but you can tell they have been living in the West Coast. The hardcore-punk side has risen. The songs are faster than the previous release and show that they have been writing better songs. It still has the amazing and beautiful lyrics and layers of vocals from Meaghan. “Bye, bye my dear. The lights went down, you found your high, there’s no way out. When did your music die? Gave up your dreams, you let them slide, they’ve passed you by. Bye bye.” This album is one of those records that could cross over to the mainstream if we all had planned it right. First, all the girl R&B crap should die off, then all the rap metal bands die, then it will be popular! Seriously, if you are into No Doubt or any music with girl vocals in a male-dominated industry, then this is right up your alley. It’s got that hard edge for the boys and the girl, swooning vocals that take you in. “Let’s turn the lights down and pull over the covers. Some days my world is covered in shades and with them I know there will be rain. But on the bright side I have you.” Songs of love and moving on is a perfect way to describe “Building A Desert.” The music is driving and melodic and candy to the ears. The lyrics and vocals are what make this record into one of the most anticipated of this year. Idle Hands will be in your area sometime this summer. They will speak to you - there will be no “Nookie” talk or “Oops, I did it again.” “I won’t let this city take me down. Been lost too long, but now I’m found. I want to know what my life has in store for me, I want more.”

Holy pop rock! Huntington Beach's finest pop stars bust out with their first full length, and boy does it have it's hooks. Take the finest elements from a SoCal pop punk band, mix in Meaghan's (ex-Copper) beautiful Crannberries-styled vocals, and add that little extra rock stuff, and you have this record. I seriously cannot think of any reason why any person into rock music in any way would not like this record. It has a ton of hooks, catchy parts... fuckin a- it even has GO's!!! I'm gonna say that the best track has got to be the fifth one, which has those "go" parts, but there are even hardcore-styled dance parts flying about all over the place. This record is gonna put this band right up there with The Get Up Kids and Saves the Day as far as pop superstars, and I am dead sure on that. Just let time tell the story.