| Hamell on Trial | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Punk rock, folk |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Righteous Babe |
| Website | http://www.hamellontrial.com/ |
Hamell on Trial is the one-man band of Ed Hamell of Syracuse, New York. Hamell typically describes his style as punk rock. Righteous Babe Records explains the use of the term 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".[1]
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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. His sound and composition is comparable to that of the Velvet Underground " 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.
May 2007 - inducted into the SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Awards) Hall of Fame
Aug 2007 - Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
May 2009 - Conveyor Awards of Excellence for Best Story Telling - Non-Theatrical & Best Musical Moments at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival
July 2009 - Directors' Award at the Capital Fringe Festival
Born in Syracuse, New York, Hamell spent years as a member of many bands before venturing into the realm of the solo singer-songwriter. He finally got his big break when he moved to Austin, TX and earned a residency at first the Chicago House and then the Electric Lounge.
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. His touring covers the US and Europe.