We’s here w/ FAST HAMMER and here’s what they have to say…WUZZUP?

FH: WE ARE BACK FROM THE DEAD BABY! HALLOWEEN 2025! What a better way to bring back music from the dead. I hope you have all missed us. I know we have sorely missed you all.

What is a Fast Hammer?

FH: Well… I’m a musicians musician. A sort of a musical nerd at heart. All of us at FH are for the most part. (I think that rhymed.?)

In the guitar world, we have a technique known as a “Hammer-on”. It’s when you use the fingers on your left hand to strike a note instead of using the conventional method of striking a string with a pick. By doing so you ultimately will allow a note to ring out as part of the LEGATO family of techniques. Now if you really work this out, especially with its converse, the Pull-off, You end up getting a flurry of rapidy notes in succession. I just thought it sounded cool and would make a good name for a guitar-centric band. Hence, FAST HAMMER.

Who are Fast Hammer?

FH: “FH” has largely contributed from a generous amount of musical aficionados. Over the years I have consistently performed in this band along side my great drummer and long time friend Matt Lindsey, an unbelievably talented and gifted musician in his own right. Second to none, I have had the pleasure of involving Aaron Munoz on bass, another truly monumental musical performer and instrumentalist. And I must give a shout out to our former partner/vocalist Carl Allphin (Previously of the band Saber). He helped us quite a bit over the 2010’s. However, since Covid, we have been introduced Thad Law, which I believe you are familiar with. He is the vocalist for BREAKING THE LAW, a tribute to Judas Priest and a wonderful addition to our line-up.

…Oh yeah, I almost forgot, AND ME!!! TONI ALEMAN, Guitarist Extraordinaire!

How long has the band been around?

FH: OOOOOOOO…. This band was originally formed when I was about 15? back in 2006 or so. It started off as a bunch of highschool kids in the Antelope Valley who just LOVED TO SHRED! The band eventually fell apart after everybody went to college and at some point in the 2012, I got together with a few former musicians, and put together THIS BAND and its more appropriate agenda of honoring and performing all my favorite shredy rock guitar songs. It’s 2025 and Its safe to say, we just wont die! haha

Who are your influences?

FH: Given the Rock-Guitar-centric nature of this band, Naturally, I love Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne(Big shout out to Randy Rhoads RIP ), Rush, Deep Purple, Pat Travers, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, ZZ Top, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, pretty much any hard rock or metal band that can play SINGING guitar solos. I just admired that about music from those times. Its a lost art in the modern day.

Any shows lined up?

FH: WELL… begins cackling …. We are playing in Hollywood, CA for HALLOWEEN!!!! We got a show at Three Clubs scheduled for METAL MAYHEM. And just to be clear, we are doing something particularly special. We are going to be performing THE ENTRE… drum roll… VERY FIRST…. VAN HALEN ALBUM. Beginning to end. I have always been a guitarist’s Guitarist. And I have it in mind to play the ever living SHIT out of that album because it truly is one of my favorite records. I hope to hit it note-for-note. That is the goal and the standard I have set for the band. I hope it will be a great time. I am looking forward to it and I hope you all will too!

Any recordings?

FH: This band has a handful of videos out on the interwebs. It has never been something we have considered, as our focus has always been live events and the nature of spontaneity. However, I am currently staring at a few sessions we have recorded using some of our set-list catalog in the past years with no objective goal to release any of it just yet. There’s a chance for us to leave behind some of our history that is shared through all of our mutual love for this music, so without promising much, I will say, It would be lovely to release a number of live recordings so that people can get a true feel for what this band actually is.

Who the Hell is Mrs Valdez?

FH: Dude, I think Mrs. Valdez could very well have been an ex girlfriend of mine… Is it just me or… haven’t we all had ourselves our very own Mrs.Valdez.

Any last words?

FH: Well, I look forward to this next show and sharing the stage with some pretty fun bands. Halloween is upon us. Keep an eye out for us. We will be in your neighborhood making noise SOON! Thank you so much Mojo.