HPS single My Last Laugh used as the theme song for the internationally popular comedy web-series We Need Girlfriends --- soon to be on CBS produced by Darren Star Productions (Sex in the City, Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, etc.)
HPS - Nominated Best Pop-Rock Group --- WAMA (Washington Area Music Association)
“These dudes can sing, form harmonies and really play their instruments. They’d perfectly fit on a tour with Better Than Ezra†--- On Tap Magazine
“The band never comes off as less than excellent†--- Music Monthly Magazine
Speed Hump CD - Nominated Best Pop-Rock Recording --- WAMA (Washington Area Music Association)
“Speed Hump's clean production, by Max Mueller and Rich Isaac, makes these songs radio-ready†--- Music Monthly Magazine
“Our web series We Need Girlfriends wouldn't be complete without the great sounds of Hand Painted Swinger†--- RagTag Productions
“After hearing HPS on thesixtyone.com I had to purchase Speed Hump on iTunes†--- Mike V, Hidden Sanctuary Radio – Live365.com/stations/mavjb
“Love your stuff Hand Painted Swinger - I aired it as soon as I got it†--- DJ Stunner, 91.1 FM Clarkson University
“Thanks so much for coming on the show – you sounded GREAT!†--- Joanna Lubbes, Backstage Pass - Comcast Cable Music Showcase
The story
Hand Painted Swinger humbly began life as the PestStrips, a well sought after cover band that played the Mid-Atlantic region throughout the 1990s. The PestStrips recorded a full length CD of original music in 1996, entitled "Sticky", which was nominated for a "Wammy†award by the Washington Area Music Association. The PestStrips received favorable reviews for "Sticky" and they promoted it until they stopped performing live in 2000.
Long time friends Jim Higley, Billy Plank and Bob Shellhouse reunited in 2005 to write and record all new original material. They were quickly joined by David Vespoint, ex-bass player of Interscope recording artist Love Nut, to complete the Hand Painted Swinger CD “Speed Hump.†"Speed Hump" found Hand Painted Swinger in true form emphasizing steady pop-rock soundscapes met head on with tasteful roots-rock song crafts. “Speed Hump†received much critical acclaim and was nominated for “Best Pop-Rock Recording†and Hand Painted Swinger was nominated “Best Pop-Rock Group†by the Washington Area Music Association. David continued to assist the band by performing live shows until the summer of 2008 when he officially left the band to pursue other music endeavors.
Chris Sussman, a well known bassist throughout the Mid-Atlantic region joined Hand Painted Swinger in 2008 after playing with several notable Mid-Atlantic bands, including Radio Mosaic and Three Quarter Squeegee. Bob met Chris back in 2006 after performing with Radio Mosaic during an annual Santa Jam benefit concert at the State Theater in VA. Chris was a natural on bass but more importantly he boasted the same twisted sense of humor as the other HPS members. So the bassist position was promptly offered to Chris and he graciously accepted.
Well over a decade after they originally began, with an impressive library of original and cover songs under their belt, Hand Painted Swinger continues to play the Maryland, Northern VA and Washington DC circuit promoting their CD "Speed Hump†all while gearing up to record their next CD. Stay tuned, there’s much more info to come…
www.HandPaintedSwinger.com
