Despite a growing, dedicated fanbase, word of mouth and interest Open Hand remain one of the hardcore and indie-rock scene's most promising bands that you haven't heard yet. But that's all about to change.
The Hollywood based band was formed by singer-guitarist Justin Isham over three years ago. The lineup is rounded out by guitarist Sean Woods (who graduated from band roadie to his current position), drummer Alex Rodriquez, and bassist Jeff Meyer, (formerly of the noisy metal-core act Not Waving But Drowning.). "Open Hand developed from I Awake, a hardcore band I played guitar for. I was in the band with Alex," explains Isham. "I started Open Hand myself and made demos and we decided to go full time, because for me personally, I was way more into what we were playing as Open Hand. Sure, I am into hardcore, but Peter Gabriel is my number one favorite and I wanted to go in that direction."
With his musical vision firmly in place, Isham charged forth. Open Hand embarked on a West Coast tour when the band was just 5 months old. Despite the band's newness, they captured the attention of many.
"The day we got home from tour, we got random calls from labels based on our demo," recalls Isham. "We released the Evolutions EP and we got calls. We totally thought it was going to happen and we were going to get signed right there. However, we wanted to be known as a musical band, not just a scene band."
Despite the interest, Open Hand remained the biggest blip on the underground radar, touring with the likes of Thursday, MxPx, From Autumn To Ashes, Grade and The Juliana Theory. The line up shifted, which delayed the band's coming out. "Every time there is a new line up, it stalls things," Isham says. "You have to start over. We toured our asses off for two years, and we still heard from labels. It was either we didn't like what they wanted or it was them thinking we needed too much development."
Rather than get discouraged, Open Hand developed on its own. A bombastic buzz circulated in the underground, based on the band's shimmering sincerity, post-hardcore dynamics, and honest lyrical approach. The band was "thisclose" to signing with Trustkill Records, easily the breeding ground of the freshest new hardcore acts. With new management in its corner and a solidified line up, Open Hand was ready to let the hard work pay off. The quartet graced the stages of both Hellfest and Furnace Fest in 2002 and eventually signed with Trustkill Records. The song "Life As Is" was posted on www.trustkill.com and received nearly 1500 downloads in less than a day. The label will release The Dream, which combines their previously released Radio Days and Evolutions EPs.
The band is currently resuming its modus operandi, touring until November, and then begin recording its Trustkill debut in the winter. The album is fully written and ready to go. Isham admits, "I've been writing this album from the day the band started."
"We like to do it our own way. Some bands jump to do what other people want but I won't," Isham says with complete candor. "It's our way or no way. You have to bend sometimes, but it has more integrity to make it on your own path. If we can be the band that does arise to the mainstream, we want to pull the scene with us. There are a lot of awesome bands in indie rock and hardcore that deserve a lot and don't get opportunities. We want to take them with us!"
By Amy Sciarretto
