He’s getting a grip…on a unique career

Township man’s band falls short of a TV high-five

By: Jessica Loughery
   "Our next act is certainly hoping for a thumbs-up from the judges," said Jerry Springer in his introduction of the Pennsylvania Hand Band on a recent episode of NBC’s "America’s Got Talent."
   East Windsor resident Larry Schwarz, Bruce Gaston of Northampton, Pa., and Jim Rotondo of Cherry Hill make up the body-part band, which won a spot on the program’s televised New York audition after submitting a video. Their talent consists of producing sounds with their hands and on their teeth.
   The musicians were quickly buzzed off the show by judges David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan, but Mr. Schwarz didn’t let it get to him.
   "We were there just to get a chance to demonstrate to a large audience what it is that we do," he said.
   The Pennsylvania Hand Band formed after Mr. Schwarz heard about "America’s Got Talent." He had been playing music on his teeth for years and thought the show might provide an opportunity to showcase his talent.
   "I was a realist, and I knew that teeth alone wouldn’t make the cut," said the 39-year-old, whose day job is a bus tour director. So, he contacted Mr. Gaston and Mr. Rotondo, whom he knew to be accomplished "manualists," or hand musicians.
   "I thought if we combined ourselves we would stand a much better chance of getting on stage," Mr. Schwarz said. "I never expected to win or even to get through the first round."
   Mr. Gaston, who plays lead hands, and Mr. Rotondo, who plays bass and rhythm hands, both have classical backgrounds. Mr. Gaston, or "Mr. Handman," has been playing his hands since the 1970s. He’s appeared on NBC’s "The Tonight Show," Fox’s "30 Seconds to Fame" and "Oddville MTV," along with countless radio stations.
   Mr. Rotondo, also known as "Jimi Handtrix," has been playing his hands since the 1980s. He has spent time on the Philadelphia comedy club circuit and has also appeared on shows like Fox’s "Good Day Philadelphia" and ABC’s "America’s Funniest Videos."
   Add teeth percussionist Mr. Schwarz to these accomplished manualists and you get the Pennsylvania Hand Band. To fully fit the bill, Mr. Schwarz wears a giant hand suit while performing.
   Mr. Schwarz said his skill developed out of a teenage nervous habit: he would tap his teeth. In 1984, he discovered he could play Bananarama’s "Cruel Summer."
   "It was a gag for many years," he said. "It never really went beyond that."
   But then, while working for the CBS Radio Network in New York City, Mr. Schwarz went on the air to play. Inspired by gaining an audience for his talent, he auditioned and won a spot on "Oddville MTV."
   "It made me realize that maybe there was some sort of national appeal," Mr. Schwarz said. "I hadn’t found anyone else who could do it. You have to have really strong teeth and be able to change the pitch."
   It was through similar short television appearances that the three Hand Band members met and eventually got together to form the Pennsylvania Hand Band. The "America’s Got Talent" episode on which they appeared originally aired June 26 and was re-aired June 30 and July 3.
   After Mr. Springer’s introduction, which came about halfway through the two-hour episode, Mr. Rotondo further explained to the national audience, "We’re classically trained … it’s very legitimate. It’s a little more than just a novelty act."
   Mr. Schwarz chimed in, "It’s extremely rare to see a combination of talents like this. I know we’d all like to win it and use it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things."
   But the three were barely on the stage before the three buzzers sounded, lighting up the three big Xs. Mr. Schwarz replied with, "You’re not going to upset us. We know what we do is unique. We think you made the wrong decision."
   Mr. Schwarz admitted, though, that his band’s music is good in small doses.
   "It’s intended to be a silly novelty act taken seriously as a novelty act," he said.
   Mr. Schwarz said the three band members hope to stay together, though they are unsure what direction their music will take. They are open to playing corporate events, birthday parties and comedy clubs, and they look forward to posting YouTube videos to generate Internet buzz.
   "We want to do more with it, but we’re not sure what. We want to take it to the next level in some way," Mr. Schwarz said. "I cannot find any other band that does what we do and that’s why I think somehow we can do something with it."
   Regardless of what happens with the band, though, Mr. Schwarz said the experience on "America’s Got Talent" was worth it.
   "I’m grateful that the producers brought us on the show," he said.