Albert Hammond Jr.: From The Strokes to Solo

Albert Hammond Jr.

As lead guitarist for the wildly hyped New York garage-rock band The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr. has tasted stardom. But after seven years in his band, Hammond has stepped out on his own for a solo side project, and the result is an appealing rock disc that expands on The Strokes' style to include more of his own blues background.

The son of the musician and writer Albert Hammond, he's played music his whole life, taking an early interest in the guitar. After meeting and befriending singer Julian Casablancas in boarding school, the duo formed a band of mostly school friends and began playing and recording together. Hammond's popularity took off when the group began touring, as fans enthusiastically praised his unique style. His solo work continues in that tradition, as he's toured in front of packed houses as an opener for the likes of Incubus and Bloc Party. Hammond's solo debut is titled Yours to Keep.