Stu Hamm: SHREGHT Up Rock

Stu Hamm
Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
07.19.16

His vast catalogue of work includes playing with many of our generation’s best rock guitar players including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Frank Gambale, and many more.

Seattle’s own Janitors of Chaos opened up the show and they were really phenomenal musicians. It was an impressive fusion of funk and rock from the 3-piece band.

“Stu Hamm’s Rock Experience Greatest Hits Tour, or SHREGHT” as Hamm called it, was here to rock your socks off in the very intimate setting of the Tractor Tavern in Ballard. Everyone in attendance, including Hamm’s brother and 92-year-old mom, were there to see his masterful playing, up close and personal.

Opening with a bass version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” we were all in for a treat, from this masterful bassist. Watching Hamm perform is a lesson in musicianship. It was fun to watch him play and give some history behind the songs and meeting Steve Vai or Joe Satriani.

Backing Hamm up is no easy task, but he had the help of two incredible musicians in their own right. Drummer Jeff Bowders, and guitarist Randy McStine held their own and meshed fluidly with Hamm. Each took a moment to showcase their skills with their own solo and crushed songs from the Vai/Satriani/Hamm catalogue.

One of the biggest highlights was the bass medley that consisted of all the various bass riffs that stood out to Hamm as he was growing up. Riffs from John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and more showcased the diversity and virtuosity of his playing.

So many times I had to literally pick my jaw up from the floor in awe of this performance by one of the greatest bassists of our generation. Do your homework and look him up. Everyone in attendance got schooled, and your ears need to be educated for the lesson if you missed it.

Stu Hamm Set List
Star Spangled Banner
Radio Free Albamuth
Black Ice (Joe Satriani)
The Book Of Lies
The Attitude Song (Steve Vai)
Going To California
Outbound
The Animal
Always With Me, Always With You (Joe Satriani)
Flow My Tears
Bass Solo (Including Peanuts Theme, Country Song)
Guitar Solo
Memories (Joe Satriani)
Drum Solo
Bass Medley (Various Artists from the Beatles to The Who)
Lone Star