'Open Hand' reunites old friends

Bassist Michael Anastasi has a history with the band Open Hand. He was the original bassist when it formed seven years ago, but he left after three years to take care of some personal problems.

"I was in debt and wasn't enjoying being in the band," Anastasi said by phone from Austin, Texas, where he was participating in the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference. "I left because it wasn't fun. It didn't feel like the band we had formed. And I couldn't leave my job that was bringing in a steady income."

Anastasi and guitarist/vocalist Justin Isham formed Open Hand in 1998. "Justin and I clicked," said Anastasi, who cut his teeth on Led Zeppelin, the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Pink Floyd. "We had the same kind of likes and dislikes, and we wanted to play music."

But life got in the way with Anastasi's dreams and, consequently, he didn't appear on Open Hand's new album "You and Me." However, Anastasi's services were needed when his replacement, Paul Malinowski, left after that album was done. "Paul and Justin went out and recorded the album and played most of the instruments," said Anastasi. "Then Paul left and there was another guitarist and he left. So Justin called me and asked if I would be able to come back."

Anastasi rejoined and Isham called Sean Woods to play guitar. Then drummer Alex Rodriquez, who recorded some tracks on the album, submitted his resignation. "Justin called up our first drummer, Paxton Pryor, and asked if he'd be interested in coming back. And that's who we have in the line-up now."

It's not as complicated as it might seem, said Anastasi. "We have remained friends all through the years. We left for different reasons, but tensions in the band weren't any of them."

Anastasi said the present line-up has recaptured the fun of being in a band. "It feels like we just pressed the pause button. Because we feel like we did back when we started."

Open Hand has been able to focus on its live shows, and has brought more of a blend of metal and rock to audiences around the country. "Being on a tour with Julian Theory, Zao and Sinai Beach has opened new doors for us," Anastasi said. "We're the metal band in this hard-core/punk show. And it works."

Then he added with a laugh, "I can't wait until we can officially say we're making a living playing in a band."

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If you go

What: The Juliana Theory, Zao, Open Hand, Sinai Beach

Where: Lo-Fi Cafe

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

How much: $12 and $15

Phone: 467-8499 or

800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com