Plutonium Sledgehammer

Under construction (in real life name Plutonium Sledgehammer suggested by Rail Runner) Plutonium Sledgehammer (1965 - undetermined) was a rock and roll band that, in 1967, began performing "heavier" or "more metallic" music. It came from the band Pluto Nine.

The group formed after Jack Hoffer left Strawberry Sunday in 1964 when he wanted to play a "heavier" sound. Jack on keyboards and his older sister Patricia "Samson" Sampson on drums joined with a couple other musicians to form a band they called Pluto Nine.

Pluto Nine had some local success, and in 1967 was planning to record its first album. However, they had continuing problems with their lead singer who was increasingly not functioning well off stage or on stage. The other members voted the person out. But because of confusion over who owned the right to the band name Pluto Nine, the group faced finding a new name.

They hired a new lead singer who also played guitar who suggested the band name Plutonium Sledgehammer. The group agreed. Founding drummer Patty, called Samson, changed her stage name to Sledgehammer Sampson.

Members

 * Jack Hoffer - keyboards, vocals
 * Patricia "Sledgehammer" Sampson - percussion, vocals

Pluto Nine
The group did not released any albums under the name Pluto Nine. They did release a 45 in 1966 that featured "Sailing by the Light of the Moon" and "The Way You Kiss Me." Neither song reached the Tedboard 100, although "Sailing by the Light of the Moon" was unofficially listed as no. 196.

Plutonium Sledgehammer
The group had not released any albums as of the beginning of 1967. They were considering two, A Trip to the Moon and Kiss Me Hard.