Hamell not only records music, performs live, does independent writing, he also paints. All of the images below, and many you see as the accompanying artwork on the digital releases, are Hamell paintings. These vary in size and price, but are all acrylic on canvas. Hamell paints scenes inspired by the 'underground' and 'disenfranchised' of our society. Ed uses bold and bright colors in his paintings which contrast the darker subject matter, championing the underclass, drawing you into the characters he depicts, endearing you to them and sparking emotions one might not anticipate.Hamell is also available for specific painting commissions. For serious inquiries to purchase Hamell original art contact Emily at hamelltv@gmail.com
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about
I can't remember how this came about. I remember my manager at the time, Mark Shuman was pretty adamant that I record with a 'real' producer. He was right. And John Leckie was a real producer, he had tracks with individual Beatles had hits with Radiohead...he might have reached out somehow and said "Good luck!" which is always an invitation to a chat. Turns out his daughter was a fan of Choochtown. I borrowed the money, (really it was a 'gift' or maybe an investment) from a dear friend who shall remain nameless but he's firmly entrenched in 'the business' and wanted (still wants...) to see me succeed.
I flew to England to record at Barrymore Barlow's studio. He had been the drummer for Jethro Tull. He was a great guy, genuinely dug what I was doing, and, as I remember he was going through a bit of a financial and legal scuffle with Ian Anderson who was only paying him a percentage every-time his face, (no, really) was shown on the DVD. Anyway...
Leckie was also a great guy, a hard worker and he was recording with a 'new' metal band, (the name escapes me) and he hooked me up with the rhythm section. My friend Howard Thompson, A & R guy for Electra was always saying that I should record with Metallica, (fast-forward 12 years to Lou Reed...) and although I was initially skeptical after rehearsing There Is A God I was psyched. Only had one night's rehearsal and we recorded this, as well as 3 or 4 others the next day. Love to work with all these guys again, lost track of all of them.
lyrics
God called down from the mountain, God called down from the sky, he said, I told ya, I told ya, I told ya, Don't Kill, Don't Kill, Don't Kill!
Don't kill for lovin' please don't for hate, don't kill in my name, don't kill for heaven's sake, don't kill, don't kill, don't kill.
Once again you didn't understand me, you disobeyed from all I can detect. From what i remember I did more than ask you, I commanded it from what I recollect. don't Kill, don't kill, don't kill.
Was it the 'Thou' part that threw you? Thou means you. Was it the 'Shalt not' part that bamboozled you? Shalt not means 'don't'.
There are no divinely sanctioned murders, who know better than me> I'm god, how come you don't hear me? I've been saying the same shit for centuries. You say it's Me that you worship, all you Christians and you Muslims and you Jews. I'm gonna say again, don't kill your neighbor. Jesus Christ this shouldn't be news. Don't Kill, don't kill, don't kill.
credits
from TOUGH LOVE,
released October 7, 2013
Produced, engineered and mixed by John Leckie. Recorded at Doghouse Studios, Oxfordshire, England. Ed Hamell: Vocals and Guitar, Glen Diani: bass, Eddie Stratton: Drums
Hamell on Trial is loud, fast music informed by politics, intelligence and a wicked sense of humor.
1995-Mercury
Records-Big as Life, The Chord is Mightier Than the Sword.
1997- Choochtown
2003-Righteous Babe Records-Tough Love
2005, Songs For Parents Who Enjoy Drugs.
2007-“The Terrorism Of Everyday Life,” (Edinburgh Fringe Herald Award)
2012-New West Records -The Happiest Man Alive....more
