Hamdallah
Rod
Atlanta Garage Rocker with Blues & Soul Roots
Rod Hamdallah, a garage rocker from Atlanta, Georgia, has been making waves in the Southeast music scene since his teenage years with his powerful blend of garage rock, Southern delta blues, and early soul. By the age of 16, he was deeply immersed in these musical styles, honing his technical skills with impressive passion. Influenced by early soul sounds, Rod quickly developed a unique sound that combines raw blues elements with energetic garage rock and soulful melodies.
By 17, Rod was already sharing the stage with influential musicians like blues prodigy Sean Costello and Dexter Romweber, mentor to Jack White. These experiences continue to shape his music, which is infused with dark storytelling and authentic American roots. His style calls to mind artists such as Flat Duo Jets, Captain Beefheart, and The Black Keys, bridging the gap between the past and contemporary energy. He has toured the US and the world as the guitarist for the Legendary Shack Shakers, and have also served in '50s rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson's back up band.
On May 1st, 2014, Rod Hamdallah released his debut EP Think About It, a powerful work featuring five tracks marked by bluesy, lo-fi vocals and gritty guitar riffs. The title track, “Think About It,” delivers a punk-driven energy with soulful vocals that will keep your head nodding. A standout track, “Carry You Home”, features Colonel J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers, with whom Rod has toured worldwide, adding banjo and dreamy Wurlitzer piano sounds. This bluesy Western tune highlights the depth and versatility of Rod’s sound.
Rod Hamdallah weaves his personal story and emotional dynamics into his music, making him an artist ready to take his sound beyond Atlanta’s stages and soon conquer the world. His relentless passion and hunger for musical growth are his trademarks, promising an exciting future for fans of authentic garage rock and American roots music.
Discography
Think About It
Self-released
The elements in Rod’s original musical are rooted in blues, garage and early soul. Dark storytelling and American roots music play a big part in his songwriting as well.
Think About It, Hamdallah’s debut EP, was released in 2014 in self-production on a limited CD and is now available on vinyl for the first time. It is a wailing garage-rock stomper with bluesy, lo-fi vocals all throughout its five tracks. The single «Think About It» will keep your head bobbing with its dirty guitar and punk rock attitude, all while his soulful vocals thread throughout. «Carry You Home» features Colonel J.D. Wilkes, of the Legendary Shack Shakers, a band Rod has toured with worldwide. Wilkes adds both banjo and an almost-dreamy, Wurlitzer piano to this bluesy western tune. «I Don’t Mind» is a snarling blues rock romp, while «Take Me Back» successfully skirts the line between R&B smoothness and classic rock swagger. The hypnotic «Heartbeat», the song that fills itself with foot stamps, hand claps and an accordion-driven gypsy swing, forces Hamdallah to navigate across foreign terrain, and he reacts with his most fascinating performance on the record.
Crafting a sound from personal experience, dynamic variation and melodic vocals, Rod Hamdallah stands poised to take this show on the road… and around the world! Because, for Rod, hunger is his main hallmark. It is an undeniable quality in his soul.
Engineered, mixed and recorded by Kristofer Sampson (The B-52s, Jesse Dayton, Nashville Pussy) in Atlanta, GA at Sampson Sound and East Atlanta Studios. Mastered by Chris Griffin (Swans, Captain Beefheart, John Cale) at Griffin Mastering. Produced by Rod Hamdallah and Kristofer Sampson.
TRACKLIST
1. Think About It
2. Carry You Home
3. I Don't Mind
4. Heartbeat
5. Take Me Back
Crawling Back Single
Hound Gawd! Records
With his new single "Crawling Back," Rod Hamdallah once again proves he can stand above the crowd and carve out his own territory. The song is a nod to 60’s R&B and Soul and a song about heartache. The track is superbly simple, relying on King Khan style hooks and a dirty, foot-stomping beat that doesn’t let up for the two-minute song. The catchiness of Hamdallah’s music is undeniable, and though “Crawling Back” is gritty, it is the poppy undercurrent which makes you move your feet. “Mali Jam” on the B-side is inspired by some of Rod’s favorite music from West Africa. Touareg/Desert Blues from The Sahara. He have always loved that style of rhythm and guitar playing.
Hamdallah is a top-notch guitar wrangler, juggling raw power and nuance, and his simple, effective songs prove he’s got plenty going on. With a blend of delta blues, electric roots and garage rock girth, Hamdallah has tricked out a sultry sound and presence that's recharging the blues and garage rock. He's what the old heads who lurk in the shadows at the back of the bar refer to as the real deal, and they ain't lyin'.”
TRACKLIST
1. Crawling Back
2. Mali Jam
