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 messed around with the arrangement of this song a lot in my basement before I finally settled on what essentially is a Tom Waits rip. But as I was reading through the lyrics, having not done so in quite some time, and I don't ever do the song live, it brought back the initial motivation. See, Kurt Vonnegut's rage and frustration at the human race is no more thinly veiled to someone like myself than say, Bukowski or Bill Hicks. Those two guys rub people the wrong way because they hold NO punches when it comes to saying that a great majority of humankind is vain, cruel and stupid. They articulate it often as such. Vonnegut, having witnessed firsthand the destruction of Dresden, felt the same way but there was enough Mark Twain or Will Rodgers in his design to not piss people off, at least overtly. (Fox News was fully aware of his feelings and intentions though if their obituary was any indication.) Anyway, Bush's invasion of Iraq, the country's division post 9/11 put me in a further and further funk and that was BEFORE Facebook and the 'opinions' I read...can you imagine how I would feel NOW??!!
lyrics
I don't know what hit me but my good sense up and quit me left my job without getting my pay. Had to take a loss, I put two holes in my boss, I guess I gave my notice that way.
Drove home in a stolen car and you don't know how wrong you are when you say that crime doesn't pay. Went and got the wife, told her starting a new life, "When we leaving?" is all she had to say.
With the sirens closing in, I told the wife we must begin, run before we go up in flames.
Police on our back, don't you know she had to pack-woo-woo that woman drives me insane-
Tough Love-we're bringing it to your town, there ain't enough love, we're spreading ours around. (2X)
Went and got a case of beer, my wife took aim and shot his ear the guy behind the counter got rude. Lord i itched to take a shot, my wife said no, that I should not, soaked him in his own attitude.
When we finally hit the road, all I could do not to explode, this trucker forced his way into or lane, but it wasn't no big deal, my wife took aim and shot his wheel, and left him in a ditch doused in flames.
Outside of that Memphis town, thought that we could settle down, maybe catch a movie and rest, but I had to shoot a man, talking while the movie ran, talking puts my nerves to the test.
(Repeat Chorus)
Cross the desert had to go, headed down to Mexico, kept the death toll low as we could. Hanging at a water stop, hadn't seen a single cop, the wife and I were feeling real good.
Along comes an SUV crass against the scenery, I didn't pay it no mind, two shots from a .44, my wife just shrugged and slammed the door and left that ugly driver behind.
seems in short order we were standing at the border, turned around to where we begun, what can I say, we're headed your way, I guess we're having way too much fun.
(Repeat Chorus)
credits
from TOUGH LOVE,
released October 7, 2013
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Ed Hamell
Recorded at Bass Mint Studios, Middletown, NY
Ed Hamell: All Instruments
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
