User:Flavorseal/2 hot 2 handle

= 2 HOT 2 HANDLE =

2 Hot 2 Handle (a.k.a. 2H2H) was an American Boyband formed in 2000 and disbanded in 2002. There were four members of the group all from the Chicagoland area. The members of the band were Peter A. Ferreri, James Cannon, Matt O'Connor, and John Wesley Pruccha.

= HISTORY =

The group idea was conceived by Sean Janda whom was in charge of a Variety Show at St. Rita of Cascia High School in 2001. Both Ferreri and Cannon were going to be solo performers in the show. Both also were involved in the schools choir along with other performances in area theater, churches, and talent shows. Per Janda's idea, the two formed a duo. Originally thought to be more of the K-Ci and JoJo mold, they quickly decided to make a group instead. Instead of the 5 person group like 'Nsync or the Backstreet Boys, the two decided to go with just 4 members, of which were all sound vocalists, much in the mold of 98 Degrees.

The four members of the group at time of first performance was not the original four. The original four consisted of Ferreri, Cannon, Scott Zilligen (creator of group name) and Jay Aks. Ferreri was the eldest at 17, the rest were 15 years of age. Ferreri and Cannon would split the main melody with the remaining two splitting bass and middle harmony. This original group of four would go on to prepare for their first show, but due to personal differences, both Zilligen and Aks would leave the group within a matter of two weeks. After Zilligen departed Cannon and Ferreri quickly filled his shoes with O'Connor (16). O'Connor, a true bass vocalist, quickly filled the void left by Zilligen and the sound started to be more of a holistic sound. However, quickly after Zilligen departed, Aks was soon to follow, primarily because of his association with Zilligen. Scrambling to find the middle harmony, and not willing to settle on a 3 member group, O'Connor suggested his friend Pruccha (15) and the final roster was formed.

The four were now all solid vocalists, with a different style and technique that would make the group sound very unique. Each member was encouraged to pick a member of the most popular boy bands of the day, and emulate their styles in a combined fashion. For example, Cannon chose: Justin Timberlake from 'Nsync, Nick Carter from BSB, and Nick Lachey from 98. While Ferreri chose: JC Chasez from 'Nsync, Howie Dorough from BSB and Jeff Timmons from 98.

First Performance & Demo
Their initial performance was a huge success, leading the group to perform at local high schools and parties, doing cover songs of the popular boy bands of the day. They performed "All Because of You" by 98 Degrees, "This I Promise You" By 'N Sync and "Shape of My Heart" by the Backstreet Boys. The summer of 2001 spurred a DEMO album with 3 original songs, "Sometimes," "Follow the Light," and "Be With You." The DEMO was produced by Javier Solorio for XERO Productions along with P.O.E. studios.

Though the DEMO was never released to the public, 2H2H was a very requested group on the local top 40 stations B96 and Kiss 103.5. The band continued to rehearse even though Ferreri went off to college. Ferreri would return home often to continue rehearsing. The band was preparing for their big return to the stage at the 2002 Variety Show where their initial glory had been found. This however would ultimately be the last performance for the band as a complete group. Cannon had been forming his own band on the side called F.Y.N.E.  The band (not knowing it would be their last performance) called on their boyband cover roots to put on a stellar performance instead of performing their original tracks. The show was a success and the boys looked forward to a future, that would never happen.

= THE END =

As their creative differences and scholarly achievements took them separate ways, the boys attempted a comeback for the 2003 show, but due to scheduling conflicts the boys were never able to perform their farewell show.

All known members went on to perform in the musical arts in college. Cannon went on to prefer R&B, while O'Connor went toward harmonies and classic rock. Ferreri found a new genre in country while Pruccha went to appreciate Techno/Euro. Ferreri jokes that they have one performance left in them, even if it is at one of their weddings.