Hand, The
Dad
The Hand is three piece from Boise, Idaho featuring Scott Schmaljohn (Treepeople, Stuntman, State of Confusion) on guitar and vocals, James Johnson (Trigger Itch) on bass, and Cody Roy on drums. This is The Hands' third release after two self-released CDs throughout the last 10 years, and their first release on vinyl. Scott continues to play as he did since Treepeople/Stuntman broke up and, with the off and on reunion of Treepeople (with Doug Martsch/Treepeople/Built to Spill), it has sparked a new flame in his songwriting and creativity. Dad is eight songs in just over thirty minutes that continue with the jangly somewhat indie/punk guitar play surrounded by melodic bass lines and Scott's unique voice. His style embodies the word 'electric' in 'electric guitar'; notes bend and stretch like live electric wires, throwing you, because the playing is so non-traditional and original, similar to (though sounding very different from) the way Greg Ginn of Black Flag plays (and since Black Flag were early heroes of ours, it makes sense). As always, this record continues where all their other releases have left off and still remains fresh to listeners' ears.