Hand Trembler didn’t just form — it escaped. Born in an abandoned Boise bomb shelter around 2014, the band has spent the last decade shape-shifting through genres like a psychedelic radio dial stuck between Frank Zappa, King Crimson, and Tame Impala after too much espresso. Imagine if the Magical Mystery Tour-era Beatles crash-landed at a Phish concert, only to be resurrected by a gang of indie-rock sorcerers. That might give you an idea into what Hand Trembler sounds like, but it’s best to just go see them live!
Hand Trembler has been fine-tuning their progressive, psychedelic dance rock sound into something that defies easy categorization, (unless “controlled chaos with a groove” counts?). The band has released 3 albums, with a 4th on the way! Their latest effort, Mind Control Test is their most thoughtful one yet, showcasing the band’s ability to parse through genres as diverse as synth rock, latin jazz, funk, and even bluegrass. Led by visionary wizard guitarist and vocalist, Reese Hancock, the band’s lineup includes Kreed Ray Kleinkopf, Leo Negron, and their newest addition of drum virtuoso Blake Durst.
It’s really Hand Trembler’s live shows where the magic turns feral. Whether they’re stretching songs into hypnotic jams or detonating into finger-tapping math-rock precision, their performances feel like a séance with the ghosts of 70s prog rock gods, if those entities had a Spotify playlist that also included Radiohead and Built to Spill.
Continually writing, Hand Trembler is actively working on songs for their 5th album which will be “their most ambitious effort yet.