He sings, tells stories, and makes a statement

CAMBRIDGE - About 20 minutes into Ed Hamell's set last Thursday at Toad, he had already abandoned the show he had come to do. Hamell, who performs as Hamell on Trial, had quickly realized the crowd of 10 hadn't come to the tiny Porter Square venue to see his mix of aggressive folk and comic storytelling. And at least one person in the back was talking loudly enough to interrupt Hamell's introduction to "Inquiring Minds," his song about hiding his less-than-saintly past from his children.

Rather than play over them, Hamell began strumming quietly and made up a song for his chatty audience. "I'll turn down," he crooned earnestly, finally getting the crowd's attention and laughs. "I wouldn't want to disturb anybody talking who came for some good conversation."

The performance Hamell wants to do is called "The Terrorism of Everyday Life," a one-man show that ties together Hamell's talents as a comedic storyteller, a musician, and a songwriter. It's a sprawling, rambling tale encompassing everything from Hamell's childhood listening to music and comedy to post-9/11 politics.

He's workshopping it before a monthlong run at London's SOHO Theatre in February with a Thursday-night residency this month (excluding Thanksgiving week) at Toad. Hamell, who is 48, married, and has a 5-year-old child, would like to make the transition from a road musician to playing more theater gigs. "I definitely am tired of doing one-night stands in Des Moines, Iowa," he says.

Remnants of "The Terrorism of Everyday Life" remained in last Thursday's show - his imagined meeting with fellow parents, introducing themselves as doctors and lawyers, and asking what he does. "I'm an anarchist," he says. But the audience didn't get the full story, something Hamell would like to change with his show tonight.

"I sure do want to show you it," he says, speaking in his car after the show, getting ready to drive back home to New York City. "Put that 'he's desperate to show it' it's up to you, people. For you to see how incredible he can be, keep your [expletive] mouth shut."

The Syracuse native has been touring as a solo act for the better part of 20 years, leaving behind the problems of rock band codependence and alcoholism for the "anti-folk" scene. Now it's just Hamell and his acoustic guitar, singing or speaking stories over what sometimes sounds like a helicopter landing. He's a funny songwriter who talks about the seedy side of life with a healthy dose of liberal politics, equally influenced by Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, the Ramones, and Hunter S. Thompson.

Hamell is tough to categorize, and he knows it. Even he admits that if you asked him to go see some bald guy play guitar and scream and tell funny stories, he might not take you up on it.

"I talk about that in the show - I don't know what I am," he says. "I don't know if I'm a spoken word artist or a comedian or a musician. There's a little bit of all those elements."

Hamell on Trial is at Toad (1912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-497-4950, toadcambridge.com) tonight, Nov. 15, and Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Free.

Comics Come Home

It's hard to imagine another show that would include nice guy Mike Birbiglia - a man who, on his latest comedy album, confessed he is too embarrassed to return bad food - and Jim Norton, who often refers to himself as a "meaty-breasted zilch." But they are both on the lineup for Saturday's Comics Come Home at Agganis Arena, along with Artie Lange, Lenny Clarke, Robert Kelly, Joe Yannetty, Pete Correale, and host Denis Leary. As always, proceeds from the show benefit the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care.

Around town

Michelle Buteau and Tim McIntire are on the bill tomorrow at the Comedy Studio. . . . Kevin Knox headlines Phillips Old Colony House in Dorchester tomorrow, with Dan Boulger, Corey Manning, Christine Hurley, and Annette Pollack. . . . Ticket to Asia, with Joe Wong, Shawn Malloy, Don Diego, and Magic Mike, is at Nick's Comedy Stop Saturday.