Taking Sides: Hamell on Trial -vs- My Dad is Dead

My Dad is Dead if only because I know the music.

I'd go for Hammell-on-Trial, if only as he's a much more energetic character -- a one-man Scorcese flick.

Saw My Dad is Dead open up for The Wedding Present years ago (I know, I know....it serves me right), and I couldn't have been more bored.

Hammell-on-Trial is a genius lyricist?

Jesus.

Yes he is.

Fuck.

Oh ok, that convinced me. Thank you for the specific argumentation.

Leopard.

Touche' ... I don't have any lyrics in front of me to quote - but as an example, "Choochtown" - lyrics written as a narrative of a thug who's hired to recover some photos "That would close the door - on future shots at Baywatch and Mary Fuckin' Tyler Moore" - The lyrics are genius because, while they are "lyrical", they are also very descriptive and fitting of their subjects. (i.e. Thugs use words like "Fuck" a lot - but casually.) Hamell's lyrics are a documentary.

Another example - "In a Bar" -. "This was your hangout, but the gang's out, no more... You hear about Freddy Dell, man that guy's all gone to hell. He had the flirt, the needle dirt - no mystery. Same goes for Tony Pure, happens fast that's for sure - just a year ago he was here, now history. ... It's like you just got here - whaddya say another beer? - well you gotta go? ... I know ... well.. that's cool."

Robert Frost, it aint - Bob Dylan, maybe... it captures the sentiment of the subject & the setting like nothing I've ever heard before. It may not read well out of context, but I get a very vivid picture of what he's describing and the feelings he's trying to convey.

Hence, genius.

uuuhhh... Wood Duck.

On the other hand, Mr. Edwards plays some rip-roarin solos... (Whirlpool, Mysterious Ways,..) and it's his simplicity that appeals to me.

Hammell-on-trial, strings rubbed down with nail file, singing praising acoustic ghosts and while, he fails, his style is far from genius, more intravenous in the veins of others, rub outs from the past, one man bands that threw the die-cast, another brother before, one more.

comprende?

One writer's opinion.

Dig?

Don't get me wrong -- I think Mark Edwards is an underrated and crack song writer and performer -- but hardly socially conscious -- it's all about himself and his own sad sack world.

My Dad Is Dead, if only because my ex/musical collaborator/just some damn guy I know sent a fan letter to them a long time ago, and got back a reply about how his dad was dead, and they should have spent more time together and not fought all the time and life was dripping away... raaah. Really miserable and all that.

Come to think of it, I'm not even sure if that story's true. But I like it. Oh, and what I've heard of Hamell On Trial I've hated...

Hammell b/c he's a sweet man who gave me a free autographed CD when I did merch for him.

I've never even heard of My Dad is Dead before so I guess Hamell on Trial by default. I'm going to go listen to him now.

Hammell on Trial because I haven't heard My Dad is Dead and would be taking a chance. Bought Choochtown yesterday and was searching for the lyrics to the title song on the Internet so I could play them in my head at work.

I don't hang out with Bobby, the guy's a fucking clown.

Ben.

This is why I think Ed Hammell is fucking brilliant:

"My name is chooch.
I don't know what you heard
about the night in question.
word.

It's only half the story
'cause a lot more when down
I don't hang out with Bobby, man
He's a fucking clown

I mean, I might sell him drugs
or a stereo that's hot
but I hang with players
and Bobby definitely is not

I hang in bars uptown
I got a credit card scam
I got a call from McClusky
You know he think's HE's the man

'cause he's Some hot-shit lawyer
friend to the stars
and it's mad-crazy money
and it's style and bad cars

He calls me up to his office
'cause he knows I know the street
he says, "uh close the door"
whoo! very discreet!

He's says he's got a little problem
maybe I can check
He says do you want to make a thousand
I say, "yeah, what the heck"

It seems he's got a famous client
that had his house cleaned
in more ways than one
if you know what I mean

And the house maid stole some photos
of him with some kids
and if this stuff should surface
then his client hits the skids

A blackmail letter
I didn't ask how much
he gave me an address
I said I'd be in touch

I'm good to go

So I check out the address
She moved out on the 15th
There's a guy, Joe brush, who lives there
and he spills the beans

It seems she moves out at night
She didn't pay the rent
She got a boyfriend calling the shots
But he don't know where they went

Well then Joe remembers
that this boyfriend's a cook
At the Toddle House
So I go over there and take a look

It's the graveyard shift
I'm there at 3 AM
I ask about the photos
But things get out of hand

So I stuff him in the cooler
'cause I rearrange his face
and I rifle through his pockets
I find a lease on a new place

I hear noises in the back
so I go out where there eating
And there's fucking Bobby, man
Giving the place a verbal beating

And I'm trying to be invisible
He's yelling, "Hey Chooch, c'mere"
I think, "Aw fuck" - I'll sit with these guys
until I can make it clear

But I've gotta hit the cook's house
you know, tonight
And of course when we're leaving
Fuckin' Bobby's gotta fight

I'm good to go

So I ditch these guys quick
I take a cab to the address
And the house maid gives up the photos
with very little stress

But as I round the corner
something dawns on me
I recognize from these photos
This old actor from TV

And he's having sex with children
Now this would close the door
on future shots at Baywatch
and Mary fuckin' Tyler Moore

So I visit this old actor
Firmly explain my situation
and he gives me 90 G's
To show his appreciation

And I buy an El Camino
Until the heat dies down
I figure I'll visit Texas
You know I like that Houston town

I'm good to go"

Hamell is the best. Great, witty-as-fuck lyricist, amazing performer. Saw him at Reading Festival last year... was the best performance of the day

What a bizarre combination. My old band supported both.

Hammell On Trial used to do a lot of little gigs in Albany, NY. I'm not sure if he lived there or cause he was mates with scenester Mike Eck. It's weird to see him suddenly popping up all over the place.

Two new songs from Hamell:

Why Go Halfway
There is a God

Listen & report back...

I'm confused by your calling them "un-rock."