Handsome Devil is the latest band to emerge
out of the Orange County, California music scene. While Orange County is
an upper middle class suburban sprawl of track homes, strip malls, freeways
filled with SUV’s and BMW’s as well as the home of Disneyland, it’s spawned
more than it’s fair share of rock stars including The Offspring, Lit, Sugar
Ray, Zebrahead, No Doubt and punk legends Social Distortion.
Musically Handsome Devil is what you get
if you mixed The Offspring with Lit and The Living End. While posers like
Blink-182 have given the burgeoning punk-pop scene a bad name, Handsome
Devil seem poised to rescue the genre from the over popification it has
received from the likes of Blink-182. Handsome Devil does deliver some
power-pop driven melodies but their music has a punky hard edge that distinguishes
the band from other bands that blend power-pop and punk. They follow more
in the tradition of All then Greenday, with a firm focus on punk while
still managing to present enough hooks to make the music a shoe-in for
top40 radio airplay.
That bit of Lit influence you might hear
in the vocal melodies might be attributed to the fact that Jeremy Popoff
of Lit co-produced this album with Ed Stasium (Ramones, Smithereens.) In
fact, Handsome Devil is the first outside band to release an album on Lit’s
Dirty Martini label (distributed by RCA).
This CD is a collection of songs just crying
out to become hits. While there isn’t a “filler” track in the bunch some
songs are more equal than others with standouts including “Sorry Charlie”,
“Tie Me Up”, “Everything”, “Back in Action” and “Barbecue”. Then again,
I’ve listened to this disc a couple dozen times so far and have yet to
push the fast-forward button. In other words, it’s all good.
“Love & Kisses From the Underground”
is a bombastic mix of guitars and vocal hooks presented in well crafted
songs that go far beyond the call of duty to bring some respect back to
the “punk-pop” scene by injecting it with a large measure of credibility
it has been missing over the past few years. Handsome Devil is definitely
a band that deserves the attention of the record buying public.
Posted by Bekah from Minnesota:
HD is GREAT in concert! I saw them last night in Minneapolis with Lit, and I thought they were even better than Lit! I hope they make it big and I love their music.
Posted by deana da stalker:
HD rocks!
Posted by Paul from Denver:
I think Handsome Devil is a great live band. They sound better than their record. I saw them at Bluebird in Denver, and they rocked really hard, and I saw the blond singer dude with the liberty spikes punch this guy outside the club. He's a little crazy, but he's cool on stage. After seeing them live, I am definitely gonna check em out again. peace out
Posted by Paul from Denver:
I think Handsome Devil is a great live band. They sound better than their record. I saw them at Bluebird in Denver, and they rocked really hard, and I saw the blond singer dude with the liberty spikes punch this guy outside the club. He's a little crazy, but he's cool on stage. After seeing them live, I am definitely gonna check em out again. peace out
Posted by MoSh PiT cHiCk :
i saw Handsome devil and Lit the other night and they f*kin rocked i think they are goingt o be big! i am a blink fan but am only a fan of their Dude Ranch cd which back then was punk nowadays they seem more pop so blah! n-e-wayz! i was moshing and got on stage with Lit, and the lead singer of handsome devil grabbed muh hand! they are such a great band the music is F*kin heavy and punked out and i love em, Lit too!
Posted by amaliiia:
Handsome Devil rocks so hard. they're a great band and they put on one of the best live shows i've seen! super nice guys. ^_^
Posted by Jess(ica):
one more thing...
Blink 182 . . .Punk?? yah . . NO!!
Posted by Jess(ica):
I've listen to this cd many times and I think it's great! Some of the song sound a little to the same, but other then that they are a great new rock band and I can't wait for a new single to come out!
Posted by STONEY:
they good ya know....just like their song...u know im making money.....cute song....
Posted by Ebo-neezer:
HD is the cat's meow! Seriously, they rock! I bought their CD like a week ago and I haven't stopped playing since. I honestly think they're a band that you can't forget. Plus it helps that all of them are hunks! Well, of course, they're from Cali!
Posted by kevin from cali again:
how can you say that when they helped make punk what it used to be? plus i want you to define punk and i will tell you how they match your definition!
Posted by angry:
there is absolutely nothing punk about blink-182
Posted by Kevin from cali:
I agree with almost everything said except the part about BLINK 182 being a poser band. they helped form the punk scene and make it what it is with help from the ramons and the vandels,etc. getting back to the subject...handsome devil is the best band ive seen in a long time. their Birthday Bash performance on September 9th in Fresno was even better then the performances by 311 and fenix tx(which got together thanks to BLINK 182). good luck danny and others. KEEP ROCKING
Posted by jon "a.k.a billie stevens cousin":
not because he is my cousin but they freakin rock. Can't wait to see thier video.
Posted by flowerfeeder:
Great record. Kinda reminds me of Marvelous 3 and Elvis Costello at times, and that's always a good thing. Track 5 (Samurai) is the coolest song I've heard since "Freak Of The Week". It should be the next single.
Posted by Laurel:
Handsome Devil will be the next big band. Their charisma onstage is indescribable everyone should see them live and buy their debut album!
Rock on!
Posted by thevertex:
I just saw the Makin' Money video for the first time yesterday on MTV X, it literally blew me away, I was so impressed I ordered the cd today.
Does anyone know if it has a shot at being played on MTV?
Posted by Jessica:
Hey I'm a huge fan. I bought their record the day it came out and haven't stopped listening to it. Not only this they are amazing live and really nice guys.
Posted by Lacey:
I really hope they don't go pop like Blink-182. I love them too much to see that happen. I want them to be successful, but i don't want to see them turn into the next Blink-182 or Sum 41.
Posted by melerie:
i saw the boys at b-day bash and they were great!! and yes they are ver sexy!! their music is great and i can't stop listening to their cd.
Posted by Heather:
I love this cd.I picked it up on the first day it came out(sep.25) and I haven't stooped listening to it since=P It rocks, I have seen them 3 times and they are even better live. If you like hearing HOTT guys play GREAT music then get this cd!
Posted by skankin pickle:
ive seen handsome devil in concert and not only do they put on a great show but their also sooo nice.
Posted by Candy:
I saw HandsomeDevil in concert at the b-day bash and they rocked! I also got to kick it w/ them the whole time they are so sweet! I bought their CD and just like the article says u never have to hit fastfoward I love all the songs my personal fav is Barbecue! Billie has the cutiest voice. and to let all you girls know they are all hella HOT!!! I cant wait to see them again!
Posted by hottie:
i alaways play there cd i saw them at the santa anta race track they are so dam hot. i love all of the songs i even of you aoughtgraph it was tight
Posted by Tammy Dancer:
I've played their CD non stop for 2 weeks, and driven over 100 miles to see them play 3 times in the same 2 weeks... Listen to their music, and you'll hear for yourself. They are fantastic!
Posted by Thirty Two:
The album is great. Well put together. Its rare to find a CD that I can listen to over and over again and not get tired of, but I found one that does just that. I have yet to stop listening to it!!!!
Posted by Needles:
Damn Straight. Handsome Devil is easily the best live band I've ever seen. Is the singer a junkie? or just out of his mind. They rock anyway!!!
Posted by Monica:
I just got this cd and it totally rocks! there isn't a single song I don't like!
Posted by Vanessa:
I saw Handsome Devil when they opened for lit in Chicago and I knew that i found my new fvorite band!! Their album is awesome and i cannot wait to see them again!
Posted by Kimberly:
I first saw Handsome Devil when they opened for LIT in Austin. They came on the stage with such energy that I had to buy the CD that night. There is just as much energy in their recorded version as they have on stage. The album is super rad and you should check it out!!
