Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Open Hand

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Open Hand, formed in 1998, and has been a highly underrated yet powerful band throughout their career. Their influences are scattered through the genres of rock though most can be found in the  post – hardcore music of the late nineties. Over time, Open Hand has  constantly combined genres and grew musically. Both their albums “The Dream” (2000 / Trustkill Records) and “You and Me” (2005 / Trustkill Records… co-produced by Open Hand & Paul Malinowski of Shiner) made serious impacts in the underground scenes. Extensive touring turned the rest of the world on to their live experience. It looked as though Open Hand were poised to break through. The group released “Honey” in 2010 on Anodyne Records after years on Trustkill Records. The record was co-produced by Open Hand & Hum frontman Matt Talbot, incorporated new styles and arrangements. Due to the label folding during Honey’s release, proper touring was put on hold. The band during this time  went from being a 7-piece, complete with back-up singers and keyboards, to a commanding power trio. As this new 3 piece, Open Hand released a 10 minute track titled “Mark of the Demon” in 2011 that encapsulates what has become of Open Hand. Now in 2014 sees the band ready to unleash new songs . Currently in pre-production is the long awaited follow-up to “Honey” The band are gearing up to release their upcoming album titled “Weirdo”

I’ve had the opportunity to see them live recently and Open Hand packs one hell of a punch. The new songs are great and translate wonderfully live. As a 3 piece they really have a full lush sound that blends perfectly into one another.

https://www.facebook.com/OpenHandRocks

http://www.reverbnation.com/openhand

Open Hand is:

Justin Isham – vocals, guitar
Erik Valentine – bass, vocals
Ethan Novak – drums, vocals

Hard Night:

The Hand:

The Kaleidoscope:

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: LIGHTSYSTEM

There must be something in the water in Los Angeles as of late. An influx of great bands have been coming out and revitalizing the artistic integrity of playing honest music that is self gratifying ,but also has the ability to connect with many others. Enter LIGHTSYSYTEM. Comprised of John Kyle (drums), Danny Byrne (Vocals/Guitar), and Jason Greenly (Bass), they have taken the atmospheric art rock sound to another level. There are pulsating drums, thumping bass and shoe gaze guitars that are reminiscent of Isis and My Bloody Valentine. Vocally and lyrically they almost connect automatically. The whimsical nature of the soundscapes pull you in deeper and deeper. Their album Lost Language which came out in 2013 is quite an epic. Songs such as Plurals, Time and Shape and Mirrors really drive in the notion of being epic. There is something to watch out for here. Lightsystem have what it takes to pull you out of the dark and expand your mind.

http://lightsystem.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lightsystem

http://www.lightsystem.us/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Ghost Idols

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Ghost Idols was created in 2012 with the intention of creating a sonic experience of all their influences combined. As a trio, Ghost Idols have crafted quite the wall of sound. Taking cues from Hum, Failure, and I’d even say My Bloody Valentine, the music and lyrics combined, take the listener on quite an excursion of heaviness and melody. The song Shrines really captures the essence of the bands sound. Back in May of 2013, Ghost Idols released their self titled EP. It is 5 songs full of chunky riffs, bombastic drums and fuzzy bass, all the while blended ever so delightfully with vocals. Be on the lookout for Ghost Idols.

http://ghostidols.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GhostIdols

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: …And We Are Them

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And We Are Them is a 4 piece rock/post-hardcore band from Los Angeles. They have taken their influences of Far, At The Drive In, Failure, Quicksand, amongst others to create an infectious sounds. Their vocals are crisp and clear really articulating the words. Musically their tight rhythm section holds down the driving emotion of the songs while the guitar has a chance to stand out in a way that doesn’t take away from any of the other members of the band. They are currently gearing up to release a new EP entitled Align. You can tell from listening to this band that they are in tune with each other and believe in what they are doing.

https://www.facebook.com/AndWeAreThem

http://andwearethem.bandcamp.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: ÆGES
ÆGES is a Los Angeles based rock band that delves into the whirlwind sound of melodic rock and post hardcore. The bands dynamic songwriting and depth really shine through on their debut album “The Bridge.” Stand out tracks like “My Medicine” and “Southern Comfort” show their influences of Quicksand and Failure (two other bands that everyone should know about). This band is poised to breakout of the Los Angeles music scene and on to bigger and better things.

https://www.facebook.com/aegesband

Review by: Brian Lacy