This is an interview with Steve Fister (Early June 1999)
Stu Hamm is featured on Steve Fister's album Shadow King and also on his new upcoming release The Age of Great Dreams (more details on this project are soon to come), and Steve was kind enough to answer several questions.

• I assume you have played with a lot of difeerent bassists and maybe working with Stu feels somehow unique?
  Well, yes I have played w/lots of diverse bass players, and I feel very fortunate to be able to play music w/Stu. (I played on the Urge tour in 91)He is the best, and most versatile. For example, on the new record he goes from his slap style, to a funky "meters" style, to a beautiful melodic 2 hand chordal thing, AND maximum groove thru-out. A real joy!
  
• Does he contribute his composing skills to the songs, or does he just put the bass-lines to the songs?
  This time I had some demos , along w/a "roadmap". Stu always plays what's right.
  
• Do you write bass parts yourself?
  Sometimes.
  
• If you have ever recorded bass for your tracks yourself, in what way does it feel different to play bass yourself or have a 'special' person playing the bass? (a lot of guitarists today record basses for their songs by themselves).
  For me, it really depends on the song. I might have a very specific line in one section, and a very "interpretative" part in the next.I compose music with a drum machine, but on the records I use live drummers. That makes for a "real human feel". I never have musicans come in and play just like the demo. What's the point of playing w/great players it they don't contribute their feel, tone, and approach? I want those preformances, it makes the tracks real. The song, "Weird Blues", (on the new record) was a first take.Stu, Tommy Aldridge, and I just went for it. Three musicians playing live, what a concept!
  
• Does Stu do his usual amazing bass solos when paying live gigs with your band?
  Absolutely! If I was in the audience and Stu was playing, I'd feel really cheated if I didn't hear one.
  The new record comes out in two weeks. Also, Fister, Hamm, Aldridge will be hitting the road in late Sept.