Hippie Speedball

Hippie Speedball is a term used to describe the recreational, and occasional medicinal use of espresso & marijuana simultaneously. Although the band does endorse this euphoric combination, this definition does not completely describe the use of the term as the band's title. Formed in 2001, by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Bill Bartel, and bassist Steve Marchetti, Hippie Speedball has progressed into a sonic & powerful 5 piece band. With the addition of Mark Stein on guitar & Nick Thomas on drums shortly after its inception, Hippie Speedball performed several shows around the greater Seattle area. Taking a brief break to create the self-recorded & produced “Greatest Hits: Volume 1”, the band created their unique, heavy, psychedelic, sound. Combining the elements of 60's & 70's psychedelic rock (The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath), with a modern, yet eclectic, heavy rock sound (Clutch, Helmet, Queens of the Stone Age, The Melvins, and Tool), Hippie Speedball's musical dimensions were created. With the addition of another guitar player, Troy Hewitt, in early 2008, the bands 3 guitar attack became Hippie Speedball's signature sound, along with the addition of audio samples from influential films, TV, & radio, added to their live performance. The bands unique brand of Heavy Psychedelic Rock is politically & socially charged and its goal is to invoke new ideas, free thought, & expression in the listener. Here in lies the true meaning of the band's title, "Hippie Speedball". Take the conviction of the hippies of the 60's to change the world, politically & socially, and crank up the heat in protest to our sadly unchanged, modern world. Make it more aggressive, more aware, and more intent on making the listener think about the art of the protest and changing the world we live in with words, with music, and with sound. In conclusion, and to loosely quote a famous, and influential band of the 80’s, “Are we not men? We are Hippie Speedball!” - 04/20/09