“I love fly fishing with my nephew.” These are the simply strange and perfectly poetic lyrics that are whispered through your headphones at the beginning of the self-titled EP from the Des Moines band, Handlebar. If your ears didn’t perk up after that odd statement, then they will when the guitars slide in with the instantly catchy riff that starts off the opening track, “Pink Pocket”.
Handlebar can come across as a “get drunk and party” rock group, and rightfully so, their logo sports the band’s name formed to the shape of a mustache (get it?). And don’t leave out the majority of photos on their Facebook page that just feature random people with varying facial hair.
But isn’t that just rock n roll?
Hilarious antics aside, once the music starts, the group matches this absurdity with a loud, brash, and tightly performed sound that is accomplished through catchy lyrics and heart pounding drums and guitars.
I’m impatiently waiting to see Handlebar rock the Vaudeville Mews at this year’s GDP. The band’s guitar riffs and commanding vocals will nicely complement the urge I will have to jump up and down in the middle of a mass of several sweaty fellow Iowans. I would highly suggest grabbing Handlebar’s EP and turning up the volume in your car in preparation for the show. Can’t wait.
Advance all-access passes to GDP are sold out! However, there will be 50 more made available at 5pm on April 13th at the pass pick-up at the Kirkwood on 4th St. These passes will cost $20. There will also be a limited number of tickets available at the individual shows. More details will become available on the event page for GDP.
Check out Handlebar:
GDP 2013 is sponsored by Boulevard Brewing Co. and The Gramercy Tap.
This article was written by DMMC volunteer contributor Ben Croghan, who has also been responsible for making sure that every GDP Band Hype article was written by a fellow Iowan of mental prowess equal to his own.