Backhanjed by Hanje

Originally formed as a three member band, with sometimes an occasional lead vocalist to help out on certain songs, HANJE played primarily instrumental songs, either interpreted from music taken directly from their favorite bands or certain structures of familiar songs re-configured into thier own types of instrumental music. Hanje played a variety of venues all over the west coast.

With the passage of over twenty years, events took shape, which led Tom Allen, the lead guitarist to begin looking for a way to connect with the former members of the band. Assisted by his wife, Candy, they began searching for the members of the original incarnation of HANJE. After much effort, they were able to locate their original bassist and drummer, Jim Medd and Eric Parkinson, respectively.

Trying to assemble a reunion of the original three members was almost a success in 2004, until a last minute cancellation by Jim left Tom and Eric in the studio in Oregon with a rough idea of what needed to be done. They worked on ideas of songs they had known, brought forth new ideas and started the long process of writing arrangements for the next time they would meet, in 2005, for recording and mixing what eventually became this CD.

This CD is a collection of their first batch of recordings, after not playing together for over twenty years. The intensity is still there, and a new maturity is noticeable in the playing, singing and lyrical content.

Some of the songs are...

1) "Waiting for the Day"

Originally written by Tom, this song has expanded into a lyrical excursion as well as instrumental moments, which reflect the original nature of the song.

2)"Rock Isn't Dead"

Also written by Tom as an instrumental, the song took on new meaning when Tom and Eric collaborated in Oregon to discuss the well being of an old friend. Soon, the song had lyrics applied, which aptly described their feelings... and just seemed to fit the structure of the song!

3)"Too Bad"

Written by Eric concerning the dynamic of a band he recently left for the reasons described in the song. The idea was floated to Tom, who left his indelible mark with his one-take solo and overall intense feel to convey the intensity and anger contained in the song.

5)"Half Delirious"

Once again, an instrumental originally written by Tom. Once Eric heard it, with encouragement from Tom, he came up with the concept of the subject for the song.

6)"Cosmetic Surgery"

Alarmed by the increasing media pressure to conform to a certain "look", Eric decided to write about the near epidemic rate at which people are altering their appearances to look younger, thinner, sexier and more "acceptable", but sometimes ultimately looking like science projects gone awry.....

9)"Fearless Brew"

Celebrating the product of a local micro-brewery led Tom to create this song with Eric contributing on lyrics. Cheers!

10)"Safety in Numbers"

Crafted by Tom with just a little help from Eric on the lyrics, this song showcases Tom's ability to transform a love song into an urgent, yet tender song, with thoughtful instrumentation and carefully placed solos.

11)"Indian Summer"

A thoughtful reminder to everyone who's seen the elderly pass into a world of confusion and despair, Eric wrote this originally about a Grandmother he knew, but realized it applies to so many of our senior citizens. Musically enhanced by Tom, who wrote the music, the song speaks for itself.

12)"Never Alone"

Tom's song, which also speaks for itself, shows HANJE proudly proclaiming their Pink Floyd influences.

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