Hamell on Trial

Hamell on Trial is a one-man punk band––and by punk we mean (mostly) loud, fast music informed by politics, passion, energy and intelligence, played by a guy with a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor. After a long stint learning his musical chops in bands, Ed Hamell boldly struck out on his own in the early 90’s, heading for territory remote from standard singer-songwriter haunts. As Ed says, “I gravitate to the darker stuff. I’ve been accused of being misanthropic, but in reality, I hope I affectionately give voice to the disenfranchised.” Certainly anyone listening to his passionate “Don’t Kill,” in which God questions which part of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” we do not understand, could not fail to be convinced that Ed’s heart is in the right place. Five recordings later (most recently on Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe label), propelled by critical success and his newfound status as a father, Ed conceived 2006’s Songs for parents who enjoy drugs, a record both sweet and apocalyptic. The album is an exploration of family values that’s based in reality, spiked with Ed’s hysterically bitter perspective. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an antidote to saccharine insincerity, to lovers of wickedly clever word-play, and lamenters of the almost lost art of punk. And young Detroit Hamell is assured of anything but a dull childhood!

“…his finest studio release…funny, furious, intense and full of good stories.” (Robert Christgau, Village Voice)

"The outgoing Hamell is at his absolute interactive best in a setting like the Cedar, a big room that still feels intimate." (The Onion AV Club, Oct 12--16 2006)

To buy tickets (not available from other Cedar outlets)

Call Cedar ticket line 612-338-2674 ext 2

Online sales available at Ticketweb

Hamell on Trial

Hamell on Trial is a one-man punk band. It's loud, it's fast... showered with politics, passion, energy, intelligence, integrity and played by a guy with a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor. www.hamellontrial.com