The Amity Front

Bio:

.. .. Music should compel you - rock your mind and get your fingers snapping. The Amity Front has that power and exercises it every time it gets on stage. The band’s hip swaggering, finger picking, Americana inspired music is an aural journey from the roots to modern rock relevance. Moving forward, exploring genres and constantly pushing in new, innovative directions, The Amity Front demonstrates amazing growth - growth that few bands have so early in their careers. Armed with the understanding that music is its art form, TAF is on the move. A band meant for the road - the live shows define The Amity Front: energetic, exhilarating, bracing and heady.

Not only does The Amity Front's music bring you back to the origins of rock'n'roll, its story does too. It’s a story of chance connections from Detroit to rural Massachusetts: a group of musicians playing in a bar when a kid floated into the jam session in a whirlwind of cigarette smoke and silent excitement, blowing everyone away with a voice straight out of an old 12-inch. Erik Alan’s journey in search of his musical bliss culminated in his chance encounter with Levin Schwartz and Max Adam, birthing The Amity Front.

Out of the love and appreciation for musicians playing good music came The Amity Front. The band's first record, Highway Bound found incredible success in its hometown of Northampton, MA and throughout the Northeast. The band toured relentlessly behind the release, highwaying as far south as the Carolinas and as far west as Erik’s home town of Birmingham, MI. Energized by the response to Highway Bound, the band has propeled itself to the next level with the release of Border Towns. Musician, Levin Schwartz, talking about the upcoming release of Border Towns, said, "I hope that people can relate to the sentiments and stories found in the songs. I hope that they appreciate the musicianship on the album. I hope that they hear a song that helps them identify with themselves. Because we do."

Border Towns is a rare gem with a sound that is both forward-reaching and traditionally rooted. It was recorded in-studio with the band playing live in order to capture the excitement and frenetic energy of its live shows. Thanks in part to this method of recording, their faithful producer David "Goody" Goodrich and the band’s musical maturity over the past few years, the sound is compelling and convincing. The Amity Front has managed to maintain its Americana roots and integrate and infuse every song with a blast of rock -- the likes of which is staple in their live performances . Levin adds, "This record is a true collective effort of performance, composition, and pre and post production of the songs. We have really honed in on a group sound that is larger than the sum of the parts and very representative our our live show—that was really important to us on this record—to make it sound how we are when we play live. The first album was great for its spontaneity and vibe, but we now work with a different palate of sounds. In many ways I consider this another debut album."
Erik Alan -- from Birmingham, MI on lead & harmony vocals and guitar.

Levin Schwartz -- from Southwick, MA on guitars, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals.

Lyon Graulty -- from W. Stockbridge, MA on clarinet, harmonica, rhythm and slide guitar, lead & harmony vocals.

Max Adam -- from Brattleboro, VT on double and electric bass.

Pete Van Dyck -- from Greenfield, MA percussionist and drummer.
..

.. The Amity Front is THAT band - you know the one - the band that will appeal to you, your hipster neighbor, your mom and dad, and that English teacher who you are sure is a backyard lush. You might not experience a swing-along at a live show anymore, but you'll most certainly be caught up in a rock-out sing along.

See The Amity Front live, listen to the records, don't be the last to know. --

by Ken Missbrenner, NYC March 2008

The Amity Front on iLike - Add iLike to your MySpace

Member Since:

January 09, 2005

Members:

.. HIGHWAY BOUND by track or album

BORDER TOWNS by track or album

Influences:

Ray Charles, The Band, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Doc Watson, Albert King, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, The Grateful Dead, Tony Rice, Wilco, Death Vessel, David Grisman, Clarance White, Little Feat, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Michigan Folk Live...

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Unsigned