Hamell Holidaze Hoot – 11/28

One of our favorite humans, the inimitable ED HAMELL, aka HAMELL ON TRIAL, returns to the 443 for his annual Thanksgiving weekend double-header.

“He plays a 1937 Gibson guitar with a jackhammer force that makes you wonder how it doesn’t fall apart. The powerful, profane, hilarious, one-man wrecking crew known as Hamell On Trial.” – Brian Cornish

Hamell on Trial is the musical alias of New York-based folk punk hero Ed Hamell. A one-man explosion, he is loud-as-war one minute, stepping off the microphone to whisper to an enthralled audience the next. This is a dynamic performance informed by politics, passion, intelligence and the all-important sense of humor. His caustic wit and devil-may-care attitude have long made him a favorite of anti-establishment icons Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, Ani DiFranco and the critical elite. Rolling Stone magazine called him “Bald, bold, and superbad!” Henry Rollins says, “Hamell is a one man rock show!” He has been described as “Bill Hicks, Hunter S. Thompson, and Joe Strummer all rolled into one” by Philadelphia Weekly and a “one man Tarantino flick: loud, vicious, luridly hilarious, gleefully and deeply offensive” by the Village Voice.

Hamell’s Happy Holidaze Hoot! Hurray!

One wouldn’t think Hamell’s annual holiday show, audience acclaimed and critically celebrated, could get any more festive. That time of the year certainly lends itself to family and friends, memories and plans, an intangible sense of warmth and camaraderie. The perfect time for Hamell’s kind of show, and he brings the goods.

(I mean, there’s dick jokes too – this ain’t Perry Como)

Hamell had a thought: If the tenor of these times is indeed anxiety-inducing and fractured, maybe a sense of community is more important now than ever. What better place to do it than the 443? How to achieve this bond? How about an audience sing-along? Yes. Yes indeed.

Hamell created a playlist of songs he felt were inspirational to these times, along with a collectible songbook featuring original art to give to each patron. The results at Hamell’s spring show at the 443 were nothing short of a riot fest: surprise guests, volunteers from the audience, and loud, dare I say cathartic, singing from all involved. And, from what I understand, three times the amount of drinking than usual. Hurray!

Hamell’s doing it again for two nights right after Thanksgiving. Holiday-themed songs, jokes, stories and poems, two sets: Hamell does the holiday show first, then a short break… the sing-along!

DOORS: 5:30 PM
SHOWTIME: 7 PM

Ticket info:
- The 443 is an intimate listening room with table service that seats 75 people.
- Green squares/circles on the floor plan are bar-height tables; orange squares are regular-height tables.
- Most seats are sold as “Tables for Two,” meaning the ticket admits two people.
- A limited number of single seats are available. Single attendees may share a table with other single attendees.
- Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will automatically be seated together, up to 6 people.
- Requesting a specific table is a perk reserved for VIP Patron members. Membership information is available through the venue.
- For special seating arrangements—walker, cane, service animal, wheelchair, low table requirement, or seating with another party—email the venue after placing your order.
- All tickets are WILL CALL. No need to print anything; just give your name at the door.