There are several artists with this name: 1. a Southern rock band based in … Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists with this name: 1. a Southern rock band based in Austin, Texas, 2. a 90s pop rock band, 3. a male indie artist.

1) Grady is a Southern rock band based in Austin, Texas. Grady originally consisted of Canadian vocalist and guitarist Gordie Johnson (known as Grady Johnson as part of the band), Canadian bass guitarist "Big" Ben Richardson, and Chris Layton on drums. Prior to Grady, Johnson was the frontman for Big Sugar, Layton was the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, and Richardson was with The Jeff Healey Band and The Phantoms in Toronto.

Grady often plays at The Continental Club in Austin, did an eight stop Canadian tour in March 2005, and appeared at the University of Regina to play a free show in September 2005. This was followed up by a full-length album called Y.U. So Shady?. The band released Hammer In My Hand as a single from the album, which was a moderate hit on Canadian radio, peaking at #14 on Canada's Rock chart in 2005. After the issue of a second album, A Cup of Cold Poison, Grady made two extensive tours to Canada early in 2008.

The band caught the attention of Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys who released Y.U. So Shady? in the United States.

Chris Layton was replaced on drums by Billy Maddox in early 2006. Maddox was also a veteran of the Austin music scene, having played with The Electromagnets, Alien Love Child and The Eric Johnson Band.

In 2006, Grady shot a video for Woman Got My Devil which was played in Canada on MuchMoreMusic. Produced by Michael Maxxis and directed by David Hogan, the video features Witchbaby from A&E's Rollergirls, as well as a number of other Rollergirls in supporting roles. It was shot in Luck, Texas, an 1800s Western town owned by Willie Nelson.

In 2007, Grady released their second album, entitled A Cup of Cold Poison, which was recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio. The album features appearances by Willie Nelson, Alejandro Escovedo and Ron Hynes. The band released a single for You’re What’s Happening Baby.

In September 2007 drummer Billy Maddox left Grady due to a pre-existing health condition. The band began touring again in November 2007 with a new drummer, Nina "The Queena" Singh of Austin-based band Kitty Gordon.

Grady's next full-length album, Good As Dead, was released in Canada on C12 Records in 2009. The album contains a cover version of The Tragically Hip's Boots or Hearts, which Gordie Johnson described as "volatile", as well as the eponymous Good as Dead, penned by Johnson. The record showcases the "Cowboy Metal" sound and features backup vocals by drummer Nina Singh.

In April 2010, Gordie Johnson made his directorial debut when he wrote and directed the video for If I Was King on location in Texas. It is dedicated to Johnson's lifelong friend, comedian Eric Tunney.

Grady released the live DVD/CD Calling All My Demons during the tour in Fall 2010. Footage for the DVD was requested by Gordie Johnson from all in attendance at Grady's October 2009 show at the Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg, Manitoba. On Dec 27, 2010, Billy Maddox was killed in a tragic freak shooting in his house.

In August 2011 drummer Nina "The Queena" Singh left Grady to join Court Yard Hounds. Drummer Trinidad Leal from Dixie Witch has been working with the band since.

While considered an "American" band by location of establishment, most members of Grady are Canadians.

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2) Grady was a 90s pop rock band. They released one album Revolutions Per Minute in 2000 which nowadays consequently gets mixed up with Big Sugar's Revolution Per Minute released in 2011, Gordie Johnson's old and new band after reforming it in 2010.

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3) A male pop vocalist with an official Spotify profile: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6FmiNnTXQJTmOMAx4kB38R

Hammer in My Hand
Grady Lyrics

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So much trouble in this time, so many stairs to climb
Build your house upon the sand. you know that it wont stand
got my hammer in my hand
It takes rocks and gravel don't it
To build that wall around it
And rock so high now baby
Until I can't get over it
And rock so hard now mama

And Hammer all night to break it
Its the thing that I can't have baby
It Makes me want to take it

Still so many hands to hold. the Lies I have not told
Let my conscience be my guide. When there's no one to confide
I feel it start to slide
It takes rocks and gravel don't it
To build that wall around it
And rock so high now baby
Until I can't get over it
And rock so hard now mama
And hammer all night to break it
Its the thing that I can't have baby
Makes me want to take it

She's nineteen years old
She's nineteen years old
She's nineteen years old
And she got ways like a baby child
It takes rocks and gravel don't it
To build that wall around it
Then rock so high now baby
Till I can't get over it
And rock so hard now mama
Hammer all night to break it
Its the thing that I can't have baby
Makes me want to take it
Said it makes me want to take it
Makes me want to take it

Then makes me want to take it
If it takes all night to break it

Overall Meaning

In "Hammer In My Hand," Grady sings about the struggles and obstacles he faces in life, both internally and externally. He references the metaphor of building a house upon sand, knowing it won't stand, emphasizing the importance of building something strong and worthwhile. Grady speaks of holding onto things he knows he shouldn't, grappling with his conscience and inner demons. However, despite all the troubles, Grady keeps his hammer in his hand, ready to work hard and break down any walls in front of him. He repeats the line, "It takes rocks and gravel don't it, to build that wall around it," emphasizing that the process of building something worthwhile is tough, but it's also necessary.

One interpretation of the song is that it speaks to the perseverance and resilience required to overcome hardships in life. The hammer, a symbol of hard work and tenacity, represents Grady's unwavering determination. He recognizes that building something worthwhile takes effort, rock by rock, and he's ready to tackle it all. However, Grady's repetition of "It makes me want to take it" suggests he may also be reckoning with his desires or temptations. He recognizes the pull of what he can't have, though he remains determined to persevere in the face of the challenges in front of him.

Overall, "Hammer In My Hand" is a song that speaks to the struggles we all face in life. It's a call to keep pushing forward and keep a determined and resolute attitude, even when the winding road ahead seems overwhelming.

Line by Line Meaning

So much trouble in this time, so many stairs to climb
There are a lot of challenges and struggles at present, and it feels like there are many obstacles to overcome.

Build your house upon the sand. you know that it wont stand
If you rely on something unstable or unreliable, it will inevitably fail.

got my hammer in my hand
I am ready to work hard and take action to achieve my goals.

It takes rocks and gravel don't it To build that wall around it And rock so high now baby Until I can't get over it And rock so hard now mama And Hammer all night to break it Its the thing that I can't have baby It Makes me want to take it
Building something durable and secure requires hard work and dedication, but the desire to possess something one cannot have can be overwhelming and tempting.

Still so many hands to hold. the Lies I have not told Let my conscience be my guide. When there's no one to confide I feel it start to slide
There are many people to connect with and many secrets that remain hidden, but one's conscience is a valuable guide in difficult times when there is no one to turn to.

She's nineteen years old She's nineteen years old She's nineteen years old And she got ways like a baby child
The person in question is very young and naive, with a childlike demeanor or attitude.

Said it makes me want to take it Makes me want to take it Then makes me want to take it If it takes all night to break it
The desire to possess something one cannot have can be insistent and unrelenting, even if it requires a great deal of effort to attain.

Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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