STROKES - HAMMOND: 'I CAN'T SUPPORT STROKES AS SOLO ARTIST'

The STROKES guitarist ALBERT HAMMOND JR is ignoring fans' pleas for him to support the New York band on tour, because he would end up crippled with exhaustion. Earlier this week (09OCT06), the axeman released solo album YOURS TO KEEP, a compilation of all the songs he had written originally for the group, but had been turned down. He says, "It would be fun supporting, but I think it would be a little much. I'd be singing and playing for 45 minutes then I'd get off stage and play for another half an hour."