hammerhead

Hammerhead reunited for AmRep Anniversay & a NYC show

by BBG

Hammerhead

As early as 1989 or 1990, a band came out of the moderately sized North Dakota town of Fargo. They were called Hammerhead. The line up was Paul Sanders on guitar and vocals, Paul Erickson on bass and vocals, and Jeff Morridian Jr on drums. At some point early on they relocate to Minneapolis, Minnesota…[where] they hooked up with Amphetamine Reptile Records, the invincible indie label that rose from the ashes of Treehouse Records and Glitterhouse Records. Between 92′ and 96′, Hammerhead released 4 full length albums, including many singles and comp songs as well… [helping to] propel Amrep to greater heights of popularity, and …define that “minneapolis/amrep” sound of the early 90’s. Some time in 96′, however, Hammerhead suddenly broke up [as] Paul Sanders left the band. …About a year later, word started to spread of a new band, called Vaz, featuring Paul Erickson on vocals, guitar and bass, and Jeff Morridian Jr on drums and vocals. Paul Sanders [reemerged] …with The Heroine Sheiks, that disbanded in 2009.

You won’t have to fly to Minneapolis or wait until August to catch the return of AmRep badasses Hammerhead, as the band will play a reunion show on THURSDAY (6/24) at Death By Audio alongside Pink Reason, CCR Headcleaner (ex-Long Legged Woman, ex-Hospitals), Bogan Dust, and Divorce Money. According to Pink Reason, the show will be a “one time only NYC reunion gig”, so get there! (thx Mark!)

The only other tour date on the sked for BOTH Hammerhead and Vaz is the AmRep anniversary show in Minneapolis on August 28th alongside Melvins (who just played two shows with Isis), Boss Hog, Today Is The Day, and many esteemed others.

Some classic videos from Hammerhead are viewable below…

AMRep

Hammerhead ‘Double Negative’

Hammerhead “Load King” at CBGB 7/23/1993.