Alec MacKaye, Mary Timony, Mark Cisneros & Chris Wilson Unveil First Proper HAMMERED HULLS Single "Written Words" (Dischord Records)
Hammer Hulls are a Washington, D.C./harDCore-adjacent band I've been hearing rumblings about for at least a year or so now; I always knew it involved Alec MacKaye—younger brother of Minor Threat & Fugazi frontman, Ian MacKaye—but wasn't exactly sure who else, but knew they had been playing shows both in and around the D.C. area. It has now been revealed that, in addition to MacKaye, HAMMERED HULLS, also, consists of bassist Mary "T$" Timony, guitarist Mark Cisneros, and drummer Chris Wilson. Hammered Hulls' members either are or were once active as part of bands such as Acquaintances, American Hearts, Autoclave, Chain & The Gang, Deathfix, Des Demonas, Ex Hex, The Faith, The Firebird Suite, Green 4, Helium, Hound, Ignition, KID CONGO & THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS, Led Byrd, THE MAKE UP, The Mary Timony Band, Medications, Mind Science of The Mind, Open City, Shake Ray Turbine, The Spells, Titus Andronicus, Ted Leo / Pharmacists, The Warmers, Wild Flag, and Untouchables.
Aside from his musical prowess, Alec MacKaye might be best know for his role as "cover model" for Minor Threat's genre-shaping Minor Threat EP, "Filler" 7-inch, Minor Threat/First Two Seven Inches, and Complete Discography, as well as The Teen Idles' Minor Disturbance EP. HAMMERED HULLS have now unleashed their first proper single, "Written Words" from their forthcoming S/T EP to be released on iconic harDCore imprint, Dischord Records. "Written Words" is definitely a feverish call-to-arms reminiscent of Alec MacKaye's work with Untouchables, The Faith, Ignition, and The Warmers, as he repeatedly belts, "YOU GOT TO HAMMER THEM HOME..." HAMMERED HULLS' forthcoming 3-track EP was recorded in a single afternoon at Inner Ear Studios with Alec's brother, Ian MacKaye, and long-time collaborator, Don Zientara (Bad Brains, Fugazi, Q and Not U.) HAMMERED HULLS' S/T EP is currently available for pre-order and will see a wide release in both physical and digital formats on Friday, August 9, 2019.
"THE HAMMERED HULLS are a brand new band from Washington, D.C. made up of some very old connections. Mary Timony (bass) and Alec MacKaye (vocals) grew up in the same Washington neighborhood and have spent the better part of their lives in each other's somewhat distant orbit. Always aware of each other, but never able to play together.
Mark Cisneros (guitar) has been in D.C. for more than a decade. He cut his teeth in Los Angeles listening to both Mary & Alec's bands, but, also, a healthy dose of Free Jazz & Garage. He is the man who plays everything with everyone, but this is his band.
HAMMERED HULLS are rounded out by Chris Wilson (drums,) a monstrous drummer with no shortage of love for all three of his bandmates. Every person in this band is a fan of every other person in this band. Mutual respect drives this train. To say they are an odd collection of influences is to understate the point. If you tried, you couldn't imagine what this band might sound like. The band's three-song debut single was recorded in a single day at Inner Ear Studios with Don Zientara & Ian MacKaye."
- Brendan Canty (Fugazi & The Messthetics)
