Open Hand Review

OPEN HAND The Kinison Idiot Pilot Bottom Lounge 5/20/05 Reviewer: Karma E. Omowale Photos: Kimisha L. Pierce

OPEN HAND Lineup: Justin Isham - Vocals/Guitar; Paxton Pryor - Drums Backing Vocals; Michael Anastasi – Bass; Sean Woods – Guitar; Breane Martin – Female Vocals/Keyboards

Tonight, May 20^th, 2005, was strange night indeed, filled to the brim with irony at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago. A couple of the bands on the bill were unable to play tonight due to undisclosed issues however it is all about Open Hand anyway, right? Right! The show was another poorly promoted one, not that one could expect much from this venue however it still was not as bad as the Radiotakeover Tour we attended in winter of 2004. Nevertheless, it was a close second. There were only 40-50 people on hand during the entire night. Gotta love bands that do not mind when a show has a low turnout because no matter what they will play to any audience irregardless. This is exactly what Open Hand did (at least in the beginning), talk about having heart! Isham belted out his tunes as if he were crooning to thousands of swooning little love struck girlies.

The band’s sound cannot be any further from their Trustkill labelmates. It is more of a Queens of the Stone Age with more fire and passion, less quirk with amazing vocals. This is an interesting concept all onto itself, for a band to sing and not having to rely on cookie monster vocals. According to the band’s bio they are “poised to unite the world's hipsters, metalheads, stoners, record freaks, guitar geeks, rockers and emo kids.” This goal is well accomplished since they do not fit into one specific genre... They have funky yet uncomplicated beats, rocking riffs, soulful bass and soothing vocals. It is all very easy on the ear, more than appealing. Wait a minute, where am I again? Oh right, not at a death metal concert! Whoa!! The band recently released their new album entitled, You and Me. A meld of all that is good in sound where the band’s amazing arrangement, harmonies, and instrumentation are best displayed.

Speaking of sound, they were fantastic; wished they had a better turnout for others to have heard. Isham has a good vocal range. This boy can carry a tune! To much of my surprise, the band added a new member to the fold, keyboardist, and female vocalist Breane Martin, in which there was never a mention of the add-on on the band’s page on Trustkill website or the band’s My Space page… However, it was a pleasant surprise! She added a wonderful element to the band. Her performance was lively.

Frustration was the largest emotion displayed tonight, despite the band trying to make the best of their lousy turnout, they soon tired of the apathetic looks on the faces of a couple of members in the audience that we slumping over the railing and lazed against the walls and poles surrounding the stage. After the conclusion of “Tough Guy” the crowd was silent, they did not even clap. Ironically enough, in tough guy fashion, Isham asserted himself and said, “Fuck you guys!” Finally, the crowd woke up, came to life, and started to clap. Pryor then interjected, “We’re just gonna play our rock n’ roll anyway!” and that they did, the band led into play “Tough Girl”. Martin did not get into the act after the conclusion of the song however, Mr. Pryor picked up where he previously left off. An immobile fan appearing dazed and confused was gazing ever so blankly at ahead, resting his entire body on the railing, which surrounded the front of the stage. Pryor lashed out at him, “Are you bored? Does the band suck that bad to you?” Quickly the guy lackadaisically shook his head and responded no. The public berating got the guy to move his head as he kept it up throughout the remainder of the set. He really got into the set past this point, as did the rest of the once unfazed attendees.

Frustration was the largest emotion displayed tonight, despite the band trying to make the best of their lousy turnout, they soon grew tired of the apathetic looks on the faces of a couple of members in the audience that we slumping over the railing and lazed against the walls and poles surrounding the stage. After the conclusion of “Tough Guy”, the crowd fell silent; they did not even bother to clap, as if the band would not have noticed? Ironically, enough in true tough guy fashion, Isham asserted himself saying, “Fuck you guys!” Finally, the crowd woke up, came to life, and started to clap. Drummer Paxton Pryor then interjected, “We’re just gonna play our rock n’ roll anyway!” and that they did, the band led into “Tough Girl”. Martin did not get into the act after the conclusion of the song however; Mr. Pryor decided to pick up where he previously left off. An immobile fan appearing dazed and confused gazed ever so blankly ahead toward the band as his entire body rested on the railing, which surrounded the front of the stage. Pryor lashed out at him, “Are you bored? Does the band suck that bad to you?” The lackadaisical guy quickly shook his head and responded “No”. The public berating not only got the reformed man’s attention but he moved his head therefore after, keeping it up throughout the remainder of the set as well. He really got into the set past this point, the rest of the once unfazed attendees followed suit. Life had been pumped into the main artery; the merriment began to course through the veins of the band and the audience until the next snafu occurred.

Still stewing from earlier, before the seventh song began, “Humadeuce”, Paxton said, “Fuck the nonbelievers!” The crowd roared as the venue filled with wild applause. You could hear the audience screaming, “That’s awesome” “You tell us!” “Damn, he’s got some balls”… After performing “The Ambush” Isham announced that there were, only two more songs left in the set. All of a sudden a mini exodus occurred. Pissed off Isham lashed out, “I said we had two more songs left NOT to leave!” His words cut like daggers as the bleeding of the evacuees ceased. It even caused the stragglers and the bodies in the back of the room migrated towards the stage. Pryor then added, “I am happy to be up here tonight, with my band…they are my closest homies!” In conclusion, of their set, Isham snapped, “Punk should not be confused with being a punk! Stop whining!! And Rancid should have your liver for dinner!” This comment was in response to a newcomer “punker” kid that was chiding the band towards the end. Lots a nerve for that kid to talk shit considering all Open Hand had to go through tonight. Too bad they could not put their name to better use and given the kid a good old fashion open handed slap across his grimy face!

Overall, this band has a lot of power and tons of passion (best displayed on their ballady material) not to mention heart, especially after witnessing tonight’s awarding winning Academy performance. Hoping the band’s fate is better as they go back out on the road late this summer on the Ryan Dunn & Don Vito’s Rock Night Tour, which the band will play with their labelmates Fight Paris, as well as Disengage. The show should be interesting one, however I venture to guess Open Hand will steal the show; you should definitely go see them when this tour rolls through your town.

Check out the interview with vocalist Justin Isham and drummer Paxton Pryor.

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