WHO'S ON DECK: The Hanks set to play Epicentre
Paolo Aniciente, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Tempo
Only one thing can be expected to stay constant with The Hanks: change. This Los Angeles-based band has taken a number of twists and turns to get where it is today. From the beginning, when lead singer/guitarist Josh Grondin and vocalist/bassist Bryan Harris started the band in high school, change was the only thing that remained in their lives.
As members left the band and others joined, it wasn't until around six years ago when Philip Katz (keyboard, horns, backing vocals) and Shane Mayo (drums) joined the band that The Hanks really started to take shape.
Independently, The Hanks have achieved major success. Their debut album, "Your New Attraction," sold more than 10,000 copies without any major distribution. Now, with an established fan base and performance experience under its belt, The Hanks are ready to release a follow-up.
"Distance" was released today, and it's no surprise that this album is different from their previous one.
"I think that we evolved pretty naturally from the last album to this one," Grondin said. "Our writing changed, our voices changed.
"It's a really natural evolution."
"Believe," a track released earlier on MySpace, shows off every facet of the band's evolution. It shows the band's growth and ability, both instrumentally and lyrically. Each track on "Distance" showcases the power of the band members' voices and the harmony they create with their instruments.
"(This album) flows more, it's more cohesive," Grondin said. "Mellow and rock coexist in this album; they're not as separate as in the last album.
"There is a lot more dynamics within the songs."
One standout track, "Unanswered Phone Calls," starts off quietly - almost a whisper - then slowly builds into an epic harmonizing of vocals and instruments, then comes to a grand closing with what can be described as a percussion ballad.
The band's growth can truly be heard with every song on "Distance." Each song is as stylistically eclectic as the legends that influenced them, from The Beatles to Queen, from Paul Simon to Al Green.
As is the case for any other musician, creating the music is only one part of the package, performing it in front of an audience is another. Grondin credits touring as an impetus for their growth.
"It's really changed our sound and tightened us up," Grondin said. "(You) learn a lot about the songs after you've played them 100 times.
"Songs don't really feel finished until you start playing them in front of an audience."
The Hanks are kicking off their 66-date tour tomorrow in San Diego at the Epicentre.
It seems as though The Hanks have it all: undeniable talent, faithful fans and the ability to produce more of both.
"It's easy to want to make new songs; it's fun, it's addicting," Grondin said. "It's all to support the desire to play and write and communicate things to people."
- The Hanks open for Long Live Logos tomorrow at Epicentre. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are $7 in advance and $9 at the door.
As members left the band and others joined, it wasn't until around six years ago when Philip Katz (keyboard, horns, backing vocals) and Shane Mayo (drums) joined the band that The Hanks really started to take shape.
Independently, The Hanks have achieved major success. Their debut album, "Your New Attraction," sold more than 10,000 copies without any major distribution. Now, with an established fan base and performance experience under its belt, The Hanks are ready to release a follow-up.
"Distance" was released today, and it's no surprise that this album is different from their previous one.
"I think that we evolved pretty naturally from the last album to this one," Grondin said. "Our writing changed, our voices changed.
"It's a really natural evolution."
"Believe," a track released earlier on MySpace, shows off every facet of the band's evolution. It shows the band's growth and ability, both instrumentally and lyrically. Each track on "Distance" showcases the power of the band members' voices and the harmony they create with their instruments.
"(This album) flows more, it's more cohesive," Grondin said. "Mellow and rock coexist in this album; they're not as separate as in the last album.
"There is a lot more dynamics within the songs."
One standout track, "Unanswered Phone Calls," starts off quietly - almost a whisper - then slowly builds into an epic harmonizing of vocals and instruments, then comes to a grand closing with what can be described as a percussion ballad.
The band's growth can truly be heard with every song on "Distance." Each song is as stylistically eclectic as the legends that influenced them, from The Beatles to Queen, from Paul Simon to Al Green.
As is the case for any other musician, creating the music is only one part of the package, performing it in front of an audience is another. Grondin credits touring as an impetus for their growth.
"It's really changed our sound and tightened us up," Grondin said. "(You) learn a lot about the songs after you've played them 100 times.
"Songs don't really feel finished until you start playing them in front of an audience."
The Hanks are kicking off their 66-date tour tomorrow in San Diego at the Epicentre.
It seems as though The Hanks have it all: undeniable talent, faithful fans and the ability to produce more of both.
"It's easy to want to make new songs; it's fun, it's addicting," Grondin said. "It's all to support the desire to play and write and communicate things to people."
- The Hanks open for Long Live Logos tomorrow at Epicentre. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are $7 in advance and $9 at the door.
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