Russ T. Hammer Performs at Bergen Rocks Fundraiser!

Bergen Rocks: Rock and Raise, a special fundraiser at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood. The show will benefit the scholarship program at bergenPac’s Performing Arts School while shining the spotlight on the best local bands.

Tickets for Bergen Rocks are just $25 per person. Visit www.bergenpac.org to learn more and get your tickets!

Raucous good times are guaranteed when Russ T. Hammer hits the stage at Bergen Rocks. The classic rock and blues band consisting of brothers/Teaneck natives Andy (drums and vocals) and Hank (harmonica) Russ, who have been performing together since childhood, new addition Liz Wheelock Mott on guitar, and special guest bassist Dave Neabore. This group knows how to get its groove on and will have you stomping along to its repertoire of upbeat blues rock.

We recently spoke to Andy Russ.

Tell us about your set at Bergen Rocks. What can people expect from Russ T. Hammer?

Russ T. Hammer plays classic rock and blues tunes—punching them up to 11. It’s the music my two brothers and I grew up with, done our way. We don’t try to imitate the masters; we cover their songs and Hammer them. We’ve put a rippin’ powerful set together for Bergen Rocks that does just that. And we have a very special surprise during our last song—the choir from the Performing Arts School at bergenPAC will be joining us. You’ll have to come to the show to find out which song.

This summer the band played its first show in nearly 15 years. Was it difficult getting back into the groove?

After not playing in public for almost 15 years, we got back together for my wife’s birthday in September. It was like no time had passed and we all felt a renewed excitement to play again. The energy level was off the charts.

You also added new member Liz Wheelock Mott on guitar. What does Liz bring to the band? How does she help augment the sound and bring new possibilities to your live show?

Liz is a legend in Bergen County rock band history. She’s been key in helping figure out the best Russ T. Hammer arrangements for the classic songs we play.

For the Bergen Rocks show, we are also honored to have guest bassist Dave Neabore of Dog Eat Dog, another Bergen County native and resident. Dave is used to playing enormous festivals with bands like Metallica, Kiss and Ozzy Osborne. So he brings a sense of fearlessness and a real edge to Russ T. Hammer’s stage presence. Not to mention some legit rock star credibility!

Why is this fundraiser, and the cause it supports, important to you?

When we were asked to help raise money for scholarships for the Performing Arts School at bergenPAC there was no hesitation. I was fortunate because my grandfather Art was a musician who always had instruments available for us to play. I jumped behind one of his drum sets and immediately connected; for my younger brother Alan, it was the bass; and for my older brother Hank, the guitar and the harmonica. The ability to express ourselves through music is a gift that has served us in different ways throughout our lives, and we are thrilled to help pay it forward.

Any nerves about taking the big stage at bergenPac?

It’s a dream to get to play the bergenPAC stage in front of family, friends and coworkers. And

it’s a privilege to play with MotorMouth and Black Dog. I am a huge fan of these extremely talented bands that are still very active in the local music scene. They are also incredibly generous musicians donating their time to help more kids gain access to the performing arts. You can’t get more rock star than that.