Hamell on Trial
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| Hamell on Trial | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City |
| Genre(s) | Anti-folk |
| Label(s) | Righteous Babe Records |
| Website | [1] |
Hamell On Trial is the one-man band of Ed Hamell of Syracuse, NY. Hamell typically describes his style semi-ironically as punk rock, though it's a far cry from the type of music usually associated with the genre. Righteous Babe Records explains the use of the term (here) as "loud, fast music informed by politics, passion, energy and intelligence, played by a guy with a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor". Other frequent labels include "Punk acoustic" and "anti-folk" (according to his own site).
Contents |
[edit] The music
In the long tradition of punk rockers, Hamell On Trial addresses poignant and controversial issues bluntly, but with the comic edge one might expect from a bald headed acoustic punk. Known for rapid and powerful strumming on his heavily amplified acoustic guitar, Hamell's musical styling is as far from traditional folk music as it is from the typical drum-heavy electric guitar ridden sounds of traditional punk music. Live performances also include extended jokes and comic anecdotes between songs, demonstrating Hamell's respect for the stand-up comedy of Bill Hicks, who is celebrated in the closing tracks of Hamell's album Choochtown.
[edit] Discography
- 1989 - Conviction (Blue Wave)
- 1992 - Letter to Mike (Self-Published, cassette only)
- 1996 - Big as Life (Doolittle/Mercury)
- 1997 - The Chord is Mightier Than the Sword (PolyGram)
- 2000 - Choochtown (Such-A-Punch Media)
- 2001 - Ed's Not Dead: Hamell Comes Alive (Such-A-Punch Media)
- 2003 - Yap (Such-A-Punch Media)
- 2003 - Tough Love (Righteous Babe Records)
- 2006 - Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (Righteous Babe Records)
[edit] The man
Born in Syracuse, NY, Ed Hamell spent years as a member of many bands before venturing into the realm of the solo singer-songwriter. Since then, he's released a number of albums on various labels including Mercury Records, his own DiY label Such-A-Punch Media, and more recently Righteous Babe Records, the label started by his long time supporter and frequent touring companion, Ani Difranco. Ed has a son named Detroit, for whom he wrote the song "Detroit Lullabye." He was seriously injured in a car accident in May 2000, but recovered from head and spinal injuries to release the album Ed's Not Dead: Hamell Comes Alive the following year.
In May of 2007, Ed was inducted in to the SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Awards) Hall of Fame.
