Listeners who gravitate toward punk rock, fast-paced music that makes them jump as well as engaging messaging will feel a sense of belonging with Handsy Grandma. The band’s “Hard Candy for Hard Times,” available July 24, brings all the energy with 16 dynamic tracks ready to pump up listeners for the heat of summer.
The Rochester-based trio with an unforgettable name made their first debut back in 2025 with the EP “Sweaty and Weird.” Relatively new to the scene in this lineup, the group is here to showcase a penchant for punk on its first full-length album, “Hard Candy for Hard Times.”
Album opener “Digital Ghost” introduces Handsy Grandma’s gnarly skate punk sound, turning up the hype with breakneck instrumentals and vocals. This is what a solid day at the skatepark sounds like, sweat and spirit seeping through the speakers.
The band’s energy is high throughout the whole album, like on the groovy “No Escape,” the unapologetic “Alien” or the melodic anthem “Lie to Me.” It feels almost wrong to listen alone in a room rather than with a circle pit forming around oneself, pulsating along with the music. (Don’t miss out on experiencing the album live at its July 24 release show at Bar Bad Ending, 875 Monroe Ave.)
Handsy Grandma displays versatility on the final track, an acoustic version of “All These Years,” which translates beautifully to a gentler approach with dual vocals serenading. The power of the original is not lost; it remains a strong song in its raw form.
Beyond the music, the gritty and eye-catching artwork hits like a punch. The colorful cartoon, packed with detail, is something to examine and admire. Its loud style provides the perfect backdrop to “Hard Candy for Hard Times,” bold and impossible to ignore.
