Music
Press
Sonics are excellent and the singing and playing are superb on the self-released "Newark Fried Chicken."
- Blues Review Magazine
Unremitting urban blues, rhythm and blues and rock'n'roll.... as fine an example of good-time, foot-tapping rock'n'roll as one could wish for...
- Chris Woodford
"Thanks a lot for a fantastic,swinging album, love it!
- Kjell Andreassen
This bluesabilly trio offers up fine rock'n'roll ranging between Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, some rockin r'n'b, some rockabilly, a soul ballad/blues, a slow rocking blues and a New Orleans style rock and roll. The music on this disc is full of variety and very "coyotesque."
- Bernard Boyat
They may have been together only 20 years but the Hammers’ CD packs way more than just 20 years of music, particularly blues music in the confines of this little CD. From the very beginning of the first track Rippin & Runnin which is very reminiscent of the old Jerry Lee Lewis impact it definitely has in it. This collection definitely shows signs of all of the band’s transitional periods from the blues, rockabilly , jump, some twangs of R&B, honky tonk and a heck of a lot of soul. All of this bands history just melts into its own sound. And what a sound it is. From the soulful angst of newly adjusted married life in “You’re Right (Married Life) to the heavy distinct beat of “Hot Hand” the band puts you in a place where the blues melts with the reality of life. “In Something Inside of Me (Kirwan)” the soulful ballad bemoaning the loss of a love, the band’s music puts it’s listeners in that deep dark place you must be to get the gist of the blues stories the entire CD tells. You can just place yourself mentally in that perfect blues bar hearing the music live in your head. “Since You Messed Up My Mind” gives you just that edge you need to hear, to get your feet tapping a’la John Travolta and Uma Thurman in Pulp fiction type beats. The next track “You Can Do No Wrong” just keeps the beat going and clarifies that with this CD the Hammers can do no wrong either. The entire CD is a must have for the collection of anyone who likes any kind of blues themed music It just puts you right there in that perfect frame of mind for the perfect kind of music that it is. - Diana Aquirre Martinez
This album is rock and roll for adults. The production values and mix are top notch. No instrument, including the vocals overpowers the other. If there were no vocals, this album would still rock. Add in Ira’s vocals and you get pure gold. The singing is strong but clear. The man really knows how to sing. The album is a good mix or rock and blues. The music really gets into your blood. BUY THIS ALBUM, YOU WON’T BE SORRY.
- Dan Tompkins
Discography
"Newark Fried Chicken" (CD) 2006
Photos
Bio
Formed in 1986, The Hammers are one of Northern New Jersey's longest running rock'n'roll bands. Equal parts blues, rockabilly and r&b their unique brand of r'n'r is the gumbo of four distinctly different musicians. Led by singer/guitarist Ira Spinrad, the trio is rounded out with the muscular rhythm section of Dom Zarrillo on bass and Bob Masucci on drums.
New member Jim Beckerman fills out the quartet on piano. The band has played just about every venue,bar,restaurant,roadhouse (and outhouse) in the area and has the repertoire and experience to prove it!
Both Spinrad and Zarrillo did extensive (10 years plus!) stints with the renowned swamp blues combo "Barbecue Bob and The Spareribs. This involved heavy gigging up and down the east coast as well as three well received cds.
Drummer Bob Masucci was the sparkplug behind the drums of the band "Better Off Dead" and recording two cds and played many gigs(including NXNE) in his long tenure in that band.
Jim Beckerman was a founding member of the Voodudes, a very popular New Jersey-based,New Orleans-influenced combo that toured the east coast and Europe.
What distinguishes The Hammers from many roots-oriented groups is the diversity of influences the band has and how it plays out in their sound. Ira is the r&b and soul fanatic, Dom the bluesy bassman and Bob, the rockabilly/jersey-shore & jazz influenced drummer. Jim on keyboards, brings an authentic Crescent City vibe to the group.
The mixture of the above, has satisfied many an audience looking for a great band to drink beer and dance to.
The Hammers have released a new cd, "Newark Fried Chicken" and are currently playing shows to promote it. Keep your eyes and ears open for The Hammers in 2007!
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