We Are Built Around Misplaced Expectations...

As I mentioned with my first post on this blog, I would later come back and write about the criminally underrated Handsome. For most, you could of missed this band if you just happened to blink your eyes for a second in 1997. Gradually put together by guitarist Tom Capone (formerly of Quicksand, Beyond, and Bold) throughout the early 90's it wouldn't be until late '96/early '97 that the group was actually fully solidified. The eventual line-up read like a post-hardcore super group of sorts featuring guitarist Peter Mengede (Helmet), vocalist Jeremy Chatelain (Iceburn), bassist Eddie Nappi, and drummer Pete Hines (Cro-Mags and Murphy's Law). They managed to put out one record during their short tenure together, their self titled album released on Epic Records in 1997. To no surprise though, like a bunch of great bands, the record was lost among the plethora of other rock bands being signed and then tossed aside at the time. The hardships suffered with the label and the failing of the album to be a commercial success resulted in the band eventually disbanding in 1998.

I remember purchasing their only album sometime in 1997, I didn't rush out to get it, as I should of. Being a fan of both Quicksand and Helmet and following both bands religiously, I of course found myself purchasing it eventually. I had no idea at what to expect from it and other than the names Capone and Mengede, I had no idea who the rest of the members were. Being young and stupid is pretty shitty sometimes when you realize what you pretty much missed. Regardless, upon first hearing Handsome I pretty much wrote them off, however I do remember enjoying the album quite a bit. I had a friend though who absolutely loved the record, which I thought was weird because I didn't see what he liked so much about it. Seeing that now, I wish he would of forced me to listen to it more than I did. One thing I do remember about that though, is he ordered a video off the Internet of Handsome playing live on one of their tours, and I remember watching it and thinking at how terribly sad it was that the audience was standing there like totem poles while Chatelain ran across stage giving it his all. Not a single body moved during their set, except maybe a couple people up front jumping around and waving their arms. I think that right there just sums up how entirely under appreciated this band was throughout their entire time together. I unfortunately lent a hand in that under appreciation, which I truly regret.

Their sound was a bit different than most typical post-hardcore acts. Handsome played with a more prominent melodic sound to their music, and focused much more on catchy hooks with even a bit of a pop song writing influence. However, Handsome still rocked incredibly hard. Their lyrics were still noticeably rooted much in the members hardcore pasts, which was a nice touch. The vocals from Jeremy Chatelain were incredibly passionate and fit perfectly with the bands melodic post-hardcore approach. In actuality, everything about this band worked almost flawlessly together. The song writing was just that good that it brought everything together in one nice package. Odd way to put it, but it's the best I can do. Anyway, I never really heard of the band breaking up, but I kind of figured they did eventually. To me they just kind of disappeared, like a lot of bands during that time period. It's too bad, cause the records these guys could of put out would of no doubt been as equally amazing as their self-titled and even as good some of their past projects.

Handsome - Waiting [MP3]
Handsome - Thrown Away [MP3]
Handsome - Quiet Liar [MP3]
Handsome - Going to Panic [MP3]

After the split, Jeremy Chatelain joined up with indie rockers Jets to Brazil, you can now find Chatelain in the current reformed lineup of Helmet handling bass duties. Tom Capone would later go on to form Adharma and then later Instruction. Eddie Nappi would later find himself in Enemy.

You can probably find the self-titled album pretty cheaply on most sites like Amazon or Half.com being sold used. I would suggest checking either of those sites out for a good deal on their CD.