Albert Hammond, Jr.

Albert Hammond, Jr.

Albert Hammond, Jr. is a musician from Los Angeles, United States, best known as the guitarist in The Strokes. He is part of the band’s line-up alongside Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti. His work is associated with garage rock, indie rock, post-punk revival and rock.

Early life and formation of The Strokes

Born in 1980 in Los Angeles, Hammond is the son of songwriter Albert Hammond. At the age of 13, he attends the Institut Le Rosey boarding school in Switzerland, where he meets Julian Casablancas. In 1998, he and Casablancas meet again in New York City and form the group with Casablancas’ former schoolmates.

Guitar style and role in the band

Within The Strokes, Hammond is mainly associated with rhythm guitar. He plays solos on songs including Last Nite, Trying Your Luck, Take It Or Leave It, Under Control, The End Has No End, Ize Of The World and Vision Of Division. His guitar work is described as cleaner and softer in tone than Nick Valensi’s, with a more emotional, blues-influenced melodic style. He often plays a white Fender Stratocaster or Nick Valensi’s Les Paul Jr., and is known for wearing formal suits, often a different one for each show. He also holds the guitar in a high horizontal position.

Songwriting and early recordings

Although Julian Casablancas is the main songwriter in The Strokes, Hammond contributes some writing. He is credited with three mostly instrumental pieces, Swiss Beats, Holland and By The Way, for the band’s 2001 tour video In Transit. He also writes Elephant Song for a Sound 101 class using the school’s recording equipment, and the song is performed at a few shows before the band’s first album. The Strokes later rerecord it as a special giveaway for fan club members.

Solo career

Outside The Strokes, Hammond releases four solo albums. His debut solo album, Yours to Keep, features guest appearances from Sean Lennon, Ben Kweller, Ryan Gentles and Julian Casablancas, with Josh Lattanzi and Matt Romano as the backing band. It is produced by Greg Lattimer at Electric Lady Studios. His second solo album, Como Te Llama?, follows in 2008.

Performances and touring

Hammond plays his first solo dates in several cities, including New York City and Philadelphia, and later tours the UK and Europe. He also supports Incubus on a US tour.