Oakland band B. Hamilton in the 11 years since its inception has grown from a bedroom project for singer/songwriter Ryan Christopher Parks into a full-fledged, rock and roll outfit. Later this fall the band is back with their fourth album, Nothing and Nowhere, their latest collection of driving guitar riffs and character-driven cinematic vignettes. Today they share their latest single, “45 and Straight,” premiering with Under the Radar.
After opening some stomping percussion and pounding stings of guitar the track reveals its central figure一“45 and straight/Caucasian divorcee/60-minute lunch break/In the middle of the day.” The tense, moody atmosphere imitates the Springsteen-esque portrait, eventually reaching a riff-laden climax as the band launches into chaotic dueling guitar heights. The picture that finally emerges is a disillusioned and bitter powder keg, one that could seemingly explode at any moment.
