Hands Like Houses: The Dynamic Sound of Australian Post-Hardcore
Hands Like Houses is an Australian alternative rock band known for their intricate, melodic take on the post-hardcore genre. Formed in Canberra in 2008, the group has built a dedicated international following through energetic live performances and a series of critically acclaimed studio albums.
Early Career
The band's origins trace back to 2008 when vocalist Trenton Woodley, guitarists Matt "Coops" Cooper and Matt Parkitny, bassist Joel Tyrrell, and drummer Matt "Shoey" Shoe came together. Their early sound blended the aggression of post-hardcore with atmospheric, electronic-tinged rock, leading to the release of their debut EP, Winter 2009. This self-released effort garnered attention in the Australian alternative scene, setting the stage for their next move.
Breakthrough
Hands Like Houses' breakthrough arrived with their 2012 debut full-length album, Ground Dweller, released via Rise Records. The album's complex instrumentation and anthemic choruses resonated with fans of progressive post-hardcore, establishing the band as a fresh force. Tracks like "Lion Skin" became early fan favorites, helping the band secure tours across North America and Europe and solidifying their relationship with the influential Rise label.
Key Tracks
Introduced Species - This track from their debut album showcased the band's signature blend of technical guitar work and soaring, clean vocals.
I Am - A single from their 2016 album Dissonants that highlighted a heavier, more riff-driven direction for the group.
Overthinking - A later single demonstrating the band's continued evolution towards a more streamlined, alternative rock sound.
The band's second album, 2013's Unimagine, saw them refine their songwriting, leading to increased chart visibility in their home country. Subsequent releases like 2016's Dissonants and 2018's Anon. continued to explore the boundaries of their genre, incorporating more electronic elements and polished production. Throughout their career, Hands Like Houses has maintained a consistent touring schedule, sharing stages with various acts in the post-hardcore and alternative rock spheres.
Similar artists from the Australian alternative and post-hardcore scene include Northlane, who share a progressive and atmospheric approach to heavy music. The Amity Affliction is another prominent Australian group in the melodic post-hardcore genre. Listeners of Hands Like Houses' intricate style may also appreciate Dance Gavin Dance for their technical prowess and dynamic song structures.
The music of Hands Like Houses is regularly featured on modern rock and alternative radio stations, including various online rock radio streams that cater to fans of progressive and melodic post-hardcore. Their dynamic catalog offers a compelling listen for enthusiasts of the genre.
Listeners can discover the powerful sound of Hands Like Houses through the alternative rock radio stations featured on our website, where their anthemic tracks are a staple of the playlist.
