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
There's an awful lot of guys that have influenced this poem. Certainly Richard Pryor and Biggie Smalls. Certainly Lenny Bruce and Elmore Leonard. Definitely Damon Runyon who my father used to read to me as a kid. For some reason these kind of tales come easily to me. This is also is based on a true story compliments of that bar I used to work at.
I remember that I wrote it in one all night blow out in Austin and I think Jeff and I were even actively involved with the recording process. I typically take a long time crafting, editing, recording demos so when this came blurting out all at once and I was confident that I wanted it on the album and told Jeff he was initially skeptical but when I read it to him the next day he was immediately sold. That rarely happens for me.
I used to rent videos from this really cool and really large and extensive video store in Austin and the guy that worked there, young kid really, Matt Stuart, would turn me on to great stuff. This was the Reservoir Dog days of Quentin Tarantino and the underground art/film/music world couldn't get enough of him, his tastes, his philosophy's etc. Pretty safe to say both the lyrics and the audio textures underneath that Matt provided were greatly influenced by Quentin as well.
lyrics
PICCOLO JOE
What do you know? It's Piccolo Joe! They call him that 'cause he's high!
No time for fun, there's work to be done, doing the deals on the sly...
And the bullshit will cease, the bartender's greased, basically he's got the run,
he ain't real vocal, but any local, knows where they can cop some.
They belly over, like calling out “ROVER!”, everyone's ears on the perk,
He says, “The house is on me”, and anyone can see, he's putting that bartender to work!
But wouldn't you know, every “Thank You Joe!” has got eyes for whats in his hands?
His wallet is bulging, a point worth divulging, a temptation for many a man,
But here is a fact no one will act because in seconds they'd be less than a hoot,
Guarding that loot, there in his boot, Piccolo Joe is just itching to shoot.
He pays for the round and then settles down to a table way in the back,
He quiets a thirst and waits for the first, nibble his bait will attract.
Courting a monkey, see, Bobby's a Junkie long since forgotten bashful times,
“What are you, a fool? I'll hit you with a stool!” See, Joe ain't dealing no dimes...
But to show he's big hearted, and since he got Bobby started, he'll turn him on to a line,
But no he don't want to buy his leather coat, What are you, asinine?
They head for the john, now the party is on, now several boys got to pee,
A coincidence, but they commence in the hopes of catching a buzz for free,
See, it's Friday night, and if all goes right, I've seen as much as $1200 go down,
Some cop and run, they're in it for the fun, they don't want to be seen hanging round.
But some stay for the show 'cause you never know, what's gonna happen or when,
Someone gets busted, someone gets lusted and tomorrow we do it again.
I never heard more talk of the “Big Score' than I did hanging round that bar,
Everyone's motto was “Fuck The Lotto” a drug deal is surer by far.
Joe had to wait 'til they were dry Upstate, then he told them he was their man,
I've seen him in brawls, I knew he had balls, but I was surprised when he bagged 30 grand.
He did it all clean, nothing was seen, no one ever fingered the source,
you gotta dig, they must have been big, the rest had been chump change of course,
He walked through the door, barely touching the floor, by his stride I knew he had the dough,
His usual cool, was overruled by his pride having moved all that blow.
The money went down and after four rounds he bought bottles from under the bar,
Then he and The Monkey, a two bit flunky went downtown in a new rental car.
Joe's appetite for ladies of the night was usually satisfied by a local with the jones,
But with all that cash, and all that head stash, why not some professionals they could chaperone?
He got three with a call the five of them in all checked into a swank hotel suite,
The door was triple lock, the coke was turned to rock, they were literally smoking between those sheets.
Up for three days, in all kinds of ways, Joe and the Monkey slept to a cocaine lullaby,
The girls saw their cue, grabbed the bucks and flew but not before Joe opened one eye,
He reached for his gun, but before he was done, one of those ladies grabbed a .38 from her purse.
A shot to each head, left them both dead, Joe and the Monkey would leave in a hearse.
Everyone's take on Joe and the Monkey's wake was that it was tastefully short.
Amidst the gloom, high in the men's room, Junkie Bobby snuck out for a snort.
And what we must face, we'll all be replaced, and quicker than we might like to think.
There's a business to be had, by some enterprising lad, this Friday if he's buying all the drinks.
credits
from BIG AS LIFE,
released October 7, 2013
Matt Stuart did the cool processing sounds.
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
I love the Jordan Lake Sessions albums, they're so ALIVE! I'm excited to listen to these versions of my favorite songs forever and ever, and always max out my Mazda's speakers on the sax parts. grenadinegrace
