Tom Allen - Guitar, Bass, Keyboards,
Vocals
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Tom was
witness to a change in the evolution of music in the early 60's.
Tom started music lessons at the age of 5 and played his first
professional gig at the age of 7. With some of the best venues
on the planet in the San Francisco Bay Area, he saw some of rock
history live and in color as it occurred as a youngster, and at
times lied about his age to play these venues. Hanje was formed
in 1972 as a power trio. Tom has 2 solo albums out and this will
be Hanje's first recording in 20 years. The excitement is still
there, the musical magic still exists and the passion is even
greater.
Tom currently plays assorted vintage Fender
and Gibson Guitars, Line 6 Variax models, Marshall, Fender and
Soldano amplification. Tom owns and operates a Pro Tools based
digital recording studio also utilizing Roland VS-2000's and Akai
DPS series recorders. Tom lives in the Northern Oregon mountains
.
Eric Parkinson- Drums, Percussion,
Vocals
Eric grew up in the East Bay Area of California
where he was exposed to a wide variety of musical styles. In his
playing you'll hear influences of jazz, funk, rock and R&B,
where he emulated his influences, from Buddy Rich, to David Garibaldi,
Charlie Watts to newer influences such as Dave Grohl, Josh Freese,
Shane Evans and Nir Z.
Songwriting is now figuring into Eric's passions as well as playing
and the renewed collaborations with Tom have proven to be fertile
ground for Hanje's newest collection of material.
Eric plays DW drums in various configurations, from small kits
for clubs, to expanded setups for larger venues. His cymbals of
choice are Zildjians, from A Customs, K Zildjians and various
"A's" from the 60's and 70's.
A small collection of snare drums augments this kit for studio
and live use.
Eric currently lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
in Northern California.
This CD is collaboration between two people who grew up in the
San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970's. Influenced by the fertile
music scene around them, they played in a number of bands with
various friends and acquaintances, which further enriched their
experiences with rock, fusion, jazz, funk, but still holding fast
their love of guitar oriented rock, minimal but meaningful vocals,
well written lyrics and tight arrangements.
With the usual call of jobs, families, relocations due to occupational
commitments, the inevitable separation of friends will happen
and this was proven true with the principal members of HANJE,
the original nucleus of the band you see here.
Originally formed as a three member band, with sometimes an occasional
lead vocalist to help out on certain songs, HANJE played primarily
instrumental songs, either interpreted from music taken directly
from their favorite bands or certain structures of familiar songs
re-configured into thier own types of instrumental music. Hanje
played venues througout the San Francisco Bay Area and West Coast.
With the passage of over twenty years, events took shape, which
led Tom Allen, the lead guitarist to begin looking for a way to
connect with the former members of the band. Assisted by his wife,
Candy, they began searching for the members of the original incarnation
of HANJE. After much effort, they were able to locate their original
bassist and drummer, Jim Medd and Eric Parkinson, respectively.
Trying to assemble a reunion of the original three members was
almost a success in 2004, until a last minute cancellation by
Jim left Tom and Eric in the studio in Oregon with a rough idea
of what needed to be done. They worked on ideas of songs they
had known, brought forth new ideas and started the long process
of writing arrangements for the next time they would meet, in
2005, for recording and mixing what eventually became this CD.
This CD is a collection of their first batch of recordings, after
not playing together for over twenty years. The intensity is still
there, and a new maturity is noticeable in the playing, singing
and lyrical content.
Some of the songs are...
1) "Waiting for the Day" Lyrics
Originally written by Tom, this song has expanded into a lyrical
excursion as well as instrumental moments, which reflect the original
nature of the song.
2)"Rock Isn't Dead" Lyrics
Also written by Tom as an instrumental, the song took on new meaning
when Tom and Eric collaborated in Oregon to discuss the well being
of an old friend. Soon, the song had lyrics applied, which aptly
described their feelings... and just seemed to fit the structure
of the song!
3)"Too Bad" Lyrics
Written by Eric concerning the dynamic of a band he recently left
for the reasons described in the song. The idea was floated to
Tom, who left his indelible mark with his one-take solo and overall
intense feel to convey the intensity and anger contained in the
song.
5)"Half Delirious" Lyrics
Once again, an instrumental originally written by Tom. Once Eric
heard it, with encouragement from Tom, he came up with the concept
of the subject for the song.
6)"Cosmetic Surgery" Lyrics
Alarmed by the increasing media pressure to conform to a certain
"look", Eric decided to write about the near epidemic
rate at which people are altering their appearances to look younger,
thinner, sexier and more "acceptable", but sometimes
ultimately looking like science projects gone awry.....
9)"Fearless Brew" Lyrics
Celebrating the product of a local micro-brewery led Tom to create
this song with Eric contributing on lyrics. Cheers!
10)"Safety in Numbers" Lyrics
Crafted by Tom with just a little help from Eric on the lyrics,
this song showcases Tom's ability to transform a love song into
an urgent, yet tender song, with thoughtful instrumentation and
carefully placed solos.
11)"Indian Summer" Lyrics
A thoughtful reminder to everyone who's seen the elderly pass
into a world of confusion and despair, Eric wrote this originally
about a Grandmother he knew, but realized it applies to so many
of our senior citizens. Musically enhanced by Tom, who wrote the
music, the song speaks for itself.
12)"Never Alone" Lyrics
Tom's song, which also speaks for itself, shows HANJE proudly
proclaiming their Pink Floyd influences.
