Hand of Giants’ brand of “Northern rock” has taken more than a decade to evolve.
Initially hatched by veteran guitarist and songwriter Michael Kreple in Los Angeles as a fundraiser for his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatments, the Big Rapids-based band shaped by the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen and Journey didn’t finalize its lineup until late last year with the addition of guitarist Paul Kwant.
But that lineup already has found fresh energy and collaborative charm on stage and in songcraft, with upcoming summer shows and plans for recording new music by the end of the year.
“Our music is really born out of the ’80s and ’90s, but also heavily steeped in the Southern rock genre, too. Cool riffs and grooves with catchy hooks,” said Kreple.
Added Kwant: “I would have to say if you’re a fan of AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, with big singable choruses. This is your band. Blackberry Smoke is a great example of what I feel represents the sound. But there’s a lot of influences that are from all of us in our music.”
The band – Kreple, Kwant, keyboardist Randy Curioso, drummer Brian Arnold, bassist Troy Baldwin and singer Jacky Kreple – released a full-length album in 2017, followed by a series of singles written by Kreple, though he insisted that all of the band members are now contributing to the song creation process.
“Everybody else is very actively a part of deciding if we should go back to the chorus after the solo or if we should break it down or you know what I mean? I would be an idiot to not include these other folks’ ideas,” he said.
The payoff comes during live Hand of Giants shows.
“I’m still from the hair-band energy (era); I love big stages,” said Baldwin. “We love to get people energized and it’s really fun music for me to play.”
Playing mostly original music, the band does weave a few classic covers into its sets, including versions of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.”
“We’re just happy to get in front of people,” Kreple said. “It’s so much fun for us to just get it together and get on stage. There isn’t a moment when we’re not looking at each other with just big smiles on our faces.”
Hand of Giants will play Catch 120 Grill in Howard City on July 27 and the Tie Dye Festival at Burley Park Antiques Flea Market in Howard City on Aug. 24.
After a long musical journey, Hand of Giants now “stands out as a dynamic and tight rock ‘n’ roll band,” Kreple insisted. “Our songs are memorable, relatable, inspiring and full of energy that translates to our shows and make it fun for everyone.”