Hammer No Extra the Fingers (or HNMTF for the sake of phrase rely) are a type of bands that may type of fold time and produce you near folks extra shortly than you thought potential. Neglect all that protracted get-to-know-you water cooler astrology shit; if we each discover out we’re into Hammer, we experience collectively and we die collectively.
HNMTF have been a fixture all through the arc of my life and the lives of many shut buddies through the years. I’ve vivid recollections of fumbling with my CD participant and headphones so I may jam “Vodka Grasshopper” whereas mowing my grandfather’s garden, singing alongside to Pink Worm within the van with my outdated bandmates, waking up day-after-day for per week with “It’s About Caring,” caught in my head — I may go on and on. On a protracted sufficient timeline, some bands grow to be a shorthand for a sure understanding. At any time when I meet anybody who loves Hammer No Extra the Fingers the best way I do, all of that historical past rears as much as meet no matter theirs appears to be like like, and there we’re — bonded on the altar of the Silver Zebra.
Why, I hear you ask? The quick model is as a result of they rule. They’re a trio with grooves too deep and melodies too soulful for me to wish to name it “indie rock.” They’ve a compact, transportable sonic presentation, however their hooks may simply ring out throughout FM radio given half an opportunity. Their preparations perform like pistons, with elements fitted intently collectively however by no means scraping the edges of the opposite parts at work.
The lengthy model is tougher to articulate. It would sound hyperbolic, however there’s one thing magical about this band that offers them the adhesive to stay folks collectively in the best way they do. It’s as ineffable because the chemistry between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, however maybe it has one thing to with the truth that (as you’ll see in my dialog with bassist/major vocalist Duncan Webster) the band truly are Unhealthy Boys For Life.
Sam Goblin: So how are you, man?
Duncan Webster: Doing properly! Issues are good. I’ve two children now. I believe the final time I noticed you was on the Pinhook pre-COVID, at that present with Pet Fox and Mister Goblin. I believe at that time, I solely had one child.
Sam: Yeah! I do not forget that was a brand new growth on the time. So how outdated is the latest one?
Duncan: 16 months. I can’t examine it to something, it’s like each cliché however two occasions as excessive as they are saying it’s. Additionally very enjoyable and thrilling.
Sam: Oof, I’m certain. That’s superior, man. So, one factor I wished to ask you truly: I keep in mind at that present on the Pinhook certainly one of you guys stated you all had a complete report written that you simply have been going to report ultimately. Is that what Silver Zebra is?
Duncan: I’d say no. This factor truly got here collectively actual shortly. After that present, COVID got here and all that, and we actually didn’t take into consideration the band for a very long time. Then we performed a very superior native present, which was our first in two years. Sort of acquired us enthusiastic about it once more, however that’s just about all it did. Then we had one other present a couple of 12 months later and we wrote one tune and performed it on the present, after which subsequent factor you already know, we had seven songs
Sam: Shit!
Duncan: Then we ended up practising two or thrice per week, which we hadn’t carried out for the reason that outdated days in 2005 or so. We simply acquired actually pumped, so we booked the studio time with J. Robbins up in Baltimore just a few months later as motivation to complete it. All of it got here collectively a couple of week earlier than we went in. We made a bunch of demos and spent a number of time simply dialing up the nice elements and taking out something we didn’t like. We wished to maintain it actual minimal; I believe there are simply three mics on the drums. We actually wished it to comply with a theme of fast and soiled.
Sam: Yeah, it does really feel like the entire thing is absolutely tightly constructed.
Duncan: We labored actually onerous to trim any pointless elements, sort of took it to the acute in some instances. Simply as streamlined as potential. I despatched it to my cousin who’s actually into Phish and stuff and he was like, “As quickly as I determine what’s happening, the tune is over!”
Sam: That’s why you run it again!
Duncan: For the final tune of the album, J. hit rewind after which we tracked what ended up being the most effective take, however in some way the rewinding sound was left on the tune. We thought it in some way symbolized like, bringing it again to the entrance of the album.
Sam: So that you have been simply speaking about having a household and all — what’s it like writing these items now in comparison with again within the day?
Duncan: We’re all inching towards 40 now, which is nice as a result of we don’t have as a lot free time and we actually maximize it. We additionally don’t have any alternative however to get alongside. Our time is proscribed with one another and we all know that. I really feel like again within the day, we’d have gotten in so many arguments working towards one thing so shortly. This time we solely acquired in a single argument, and it was truly actually productive! One other factor we’ve been doing loads collectively is disc golf.
Sam: Disc golf?
Duncan: Yeah, like with frisbees. We’ll play each weekend. It’s been nice simply kicking it. The music stuff has been actually relaxed however nonetheless centered. We’re simply wanting ahead to doing all of it once more. We’re simply higher communicators. I’ve to be a greater communicator with my children and that’s helped me be actually affected person and extra to the purpose.
Sam: Proper, I’m certain that’s good for when Joe is shitting all over the place and operating round, too. Effectively so — you guys all the time felt like a band the place everyone’s contributing and all the things that’s taking place is absolutely necessary. I sort of all the time assumed due to that, that you simply guys have been thick as thieves, however I keep in mind at that Pinhook present certainly one of you saying that you simply used to love, get in fist fights and shit?
Duncan: [Laughs.] Nonetheless thick as thieves although! It feels so dumb now, wanting again. I imply, there was a time the place we have been consciously attempting to “make it” in music round 2008-2012. We have been happening these self-booked excursions that have been terrible. Sleeping in cat pee. I imply, I wouldn’t commerce it for the world, however after some time enjoying to a few individuals who don’t give a shit on a Monday night time simply wears on you. I believe that was the large contributing issue to getting in fights and all. Spending a number of time collectively in a very small automotive, getting sick of one another.
Sam: So if I’m sort of dissecting your sound, not that there must be a proof for all the things, however you guys are simply so… funky? I don’t know one other option to put it. The place does that come from? Is that simply pure?
Duncan: I believe going to Durham public colleges. We simply grew up listening to a number of hip hop — that’s as a lot of an affect as anything. Rising up within the ‘90s, it was only a funky time. Typically you simply really feel the funk. It’s one thing we consciously work on, making the bass and the kick drum match up and stuff. A few of that’s taken from Burning Airways too, in the event you’ve ever listened.
Sam: Oh yeah, love them.
Duncan: Yeah, I imply a number of that Dischord sort of stuff, focusing across the area between notes. Actually although, a number of the greatest musical influences as of late are enjoying jock jams for my children whereas they run round in the lounge. I’m like, “Dude, jock jams are the shit.” Like, that’s a hook.
