The rumor floating around is that Hammer No More The Fingers was born in 1994 when band members Jeff Stickley, Joe Hall and Duncan Webster were just 10 years old and already cranking out original tunes in their hometown of Durham, N.C. The trio certainly picked one of the best times and settings to develop a musical style, and from the sound of it, their young, impressionable minds seemed to soak up the best aspects of the era. Today, Hammer No More The Fingers is on its second full-length, Black Shark (which came out last month via Churchkey Records), and is touring the U.K. and U.S. in support. Check out the mix tape the guys made for MAGNET below.
“Leroy” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/Leroy.mp3
Voo “Schnick Schnack Schnook”
We met Voo in February 2010 in their hometown of Liverpool, U.K. We’ve done a ton of touring with them since. They’re one of our new favorite bands. They’re incredible dudes. “Schnick Schnack Schnook” is an instrumental that never lets up the rock. It just builds and builds. Graham, the guitarist, created his own open tuning. Still can’t figure out what the hell he’s doing. Video
They Might Be Giants “Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head”
They Might Be Giants has been a favorite of ours since childhood. “Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head” is the second song off their self-titled debut album. It’s quintessential TMBG. Huge chorus, a melody that could bring tears to your eyes, but it never ceases to be hilarious. This is taken from the good old days when there was just John and John with a shitty drum machine. Video
NOFX “Kids Of The K-Hole”
This is the second track off the (possibly) greatest NOFX record. In a genre that’s characterized by sloppy musicianship and formulaic chord changes, these guys make it interesting. The harmonies, the satire, the “NOFX beat,” the guitar solos, the chord progressions, everything, have been a huge influence. We look up to their longevity and hope that we’re rocking as hard as these guys 30 years down the line. Video
Frank Zappa “Peaches En Regalia”
This is the soundtrack to Joe’s time in the kitchen at Chapel Hill’s Pepper’s Pizza. It’s a musical mind fuck. Back to front, the melodic and technical prowess runs strong. It ebbs and flows, with a peak that’ll do your head in. Frank Zappa is a master of orchestration, making 20 instruments sound like one. He’s a relatively recent influence on us Hammer boys, but he’s a heavy one at that. Video
Outkast “Speedballin'”
Even more intense than “Bombs Over Baghdad” “Speedballin” is a crazy journey through the asshole of your mind. The horn section is out of control, as is the gospel chorus. It’s a song about getting craaaaazy. The lone acoustic guitar during the bridge section shows how versatile these dudes really are. Big Boi is simply on fire. Cee-Lo Green takes on the role of a maniacal Southern preacher, wrangling poisonous snakes, about to catch fire. Video
Cake “Let Me Go”
Love the guitar and bass lines in this song. They complement each other really well and don’t get in the way of the drum groove. John McCrea’s lyrics have a dark sense of humor. He makes a lot of abstract metaphors, and you’re always left wondering what he’s really talking about. Cake creates great space without loosing any momentum. Video
Biz Markie “Alone Again”
This is the second-to-last track on Biz’s third album, I Need A Haircut. Someone mysteriously left this tape in Duncan’s car one summer day in 2001. It quickly became the soundtrack to that summer and has been played about 500 times since. The piano line is sampled from a Gilbert O’Sullivan tune, which landed Biz and producer DJ Swan the very first sample-based lawsuit. There aren’t too many hip-hop beats out there better than this. Video
Phish “Squirming Coil”
Phish has been a band since the early 1980s when they were students at University of Vermont. They’ve had a slow and steady ascent to the top. Always the four of them, going stronger than ever these days. With a song catalog ranging into the hundreds, they’ve never played the same set twice, let alone play a song the same way twice. Their live show is a unique experience: the intense improvisation, the die-hard audience, the light show. It’s one part rock concert, one part theater, one part European soccer match. They’re one of the most ambitious bands of the last few decades. “Squirming Coil” has a beautiful, snaking melody that weaves alongside a strange, jazzy chord progression that changes key about 10 times in three minutes. They’re total bad asses, but never take themselves too seriously. Video
Paulinho da Viola “Argumento”
In 2005, Joe studied abroad at the University of Parana in Curitiba, Brazil. He was hosted by a very enthusiastic family who encouraged him to soak up the culture of the country. Samba music was a big part of the experience. This particular artist was a favorite of the family and was blasted during trips to the coast, barbeques that lasted hours and impromptu dance lessons. This particular song is a great example of the infectious energy a huge group of Brazilians can bring when singing as one. Video
Jimmy Martin “Foggy Old London”
The only version of this song available is a live cut taken from the late 1950s. The onstage energy is incredible. Backing up ol’ Jimmy is a teenage JD Crowe on banjo and baritone vocals and Paul Williams on mandolin and tenor vocals. It’s stripped down gorgeousity. Live music can actually sound this good. The harmonies are more spot on than any Hollywood produced auto-tuned auto-crap. This song is about being in love with someone across the pond. Every time I hear this, I thank god that someone was there to record it.
Curtis Mayfield “Think”
This is the final song from Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly soundtrack. A beautiful, instrumental waltz. The oboe melody flows in and out of major- and minor-chord changes. It has a nostalgic vibe that conjures thoughts of how life was a decade before we were born. It indeed makes you think. We’ve talked about covering this number. Video
