Soundcheck: A few words with Ampline
Ampline is made up of men of few words. This is in evidence both on their blog, a characteristically concise Tumbler account, and on many of their past albums, which are primarily instrumental. It is clear too in the email exchanges I’ve had with guitarist Mike Montgomery over the last few months. But if Mike doesn’t say much it may very well be because his jammed schedule doesn’t allow for unnecessary jibber-jabber. Besides releasing records and touring with Ampline, Mike holds down a day job, runs Candyland Recording Studios in Cincinnati with Jim Turner, and moon-lights singing and playing sparse, chaotic, abrasive and lulling guitar with Kelley Deal (and sometimes other friends like pro-skater Kristian Svitak) in the band R Ring.
Luckily, Mike doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting in Ampline. He is joined by founding member Kevin Schmidt on bass and Rick McCarty on drums (also of The Shivs). Of balancing a busy schedule Kevin, father to new baby boy Neil, says “I think it really boils down to a good support network like the one my wife and Jerry (Jerry Dirr of Phratry Records) provide. But more importantly, if it is something you truly love doing, nothing will stand in your way. And I really think we all love to play music.” He continues “We all work 60-80 hours a week at our day-jobs so that we can play music and tour. Playing music pays nothing. Breaking even on tour is hard with $4 per gallon fuel.” Mike puts it this way, “It's really fucking hard. We want to play so we make time in our lives to do this.”
We’re lucky that Ampline will be shelling out the big bucks to drive to Madison and share tunes both new and old alike on Sunday, October 14th at the Frequency. Jealousy Mountain Duo (who radically draw influences from early 60' s jazz, post and hardcore and modern electronica) and Madison’s own post-rock/post-metal band Tyranny is Tyranny open for a 8:30pm 18+ show. It’ll cost you a mere five bucks, allowing Ampline to buy almost a whole gallon of gas. Almost.
Ampline started in the late 1990's as an instrumental punk band. Kevin likens it to musical documentation between childhood friends (Kevin Schmidt, Jeff Albers, Drew Bogner, Chris Charlton) that never set out to be a touring project. But the band evolved, or in Kevin’s words “it kinda grew wings, crashed, and then grew wings again.” After some lineup changes (in Mike’s words “Apparently Kevin is the magnet of the band. Repelling and attracting constantly!”), Kevin, Rick and Mike have coalesced into a tight unit, perhaps in part because Rick and Mike spent many years together in the trenches in band Thistle.
Talk may be cheap, but Ampline is sticking its toe into the well of words all the same. On its last full release, 2010’s “You Will Be Buried Here,” as well as with newer material, Mike has begun to write words and sing. But just because they held their tongues for years doesn’t mean that they don’t have something to say. And say it well they do. Just like Mike will open up and give you a lively face-to-face discussion full of sharp wit and insight once he gets to know you, Ampline’s newer material will blow you away with a mix of vocals and instrumental passages that range from warm and reassuring to edgy and rockin’. They just needed to get to know us first.
It is unlikely that Ampline will become tied to their words though. “We really just add vocals as another layer of sound. We have a tendency to write concept albums and without words it is hard to convey the concept. I think we are about 50/50 instrumental/vocals now. With the new album the lyrics will play more of an integral part of the overall concept,” says Kevin. In terms of songwriting he says “Sometimes things flow and sometimes it is like banging your head up against a wall for weeks trying to find the way out of a maze that you, yourself, designed. With Ampline, it has always been a very democratic writing process. We write when we are together. Very seldom do we stray from this.”
They seem happy to resist categories and structure and their music is all the better for it. Compared by reviewers to everyone from The Replacements to Pink Floyd at times, Ampline doesn’t seem interested in falling into a category. And they ride the genre wave with skill, creating their own somehow distinctive and cohesive sound while defying labels. Put plainly, whatever you want to call it, these guys are good.
Case in point, here’s a recent video made by Jerry Dirr from Phratry Records for Ampline’s song "Low Light."
“Low Light” will be features on a split 7” this fall with their constant touring companions band Daikaiju. Side A will feature the Ampline track while Side “D” will feature Daikaiju’s “Double Fist Attack.” “Low Light” is part of a larger full length project that Ampline hopes to finish recording this winter. Kevin indicates “We have so many song ideas as of now, probably about 60 song ideas. We are really trying to whittle them down to a cohesive record and it is getting close. I think it really is just a matter of scheduling the studio time and hammering it out. We have always worked best under pressure. If there’s no deadline there’s no rush.”
Has the new music paradigm with the rise of the internet and digital media and the fall of big record companies affected Ampline? Not really. “We have always done what we do. We have always done things ourselves for ourselves and never really relied on anyone or counting on anything. It has always been an upstream swim. We show up, we play WAY TOO LOUD, we sweat, we growl, and then we go to the next town and do the same thing all over again. We love to play music and touring is a way to keep it from being stagnant. A new place has a new vibe and this in itself can totally change the texture of a song.”
Kevin reflects, “I play each time like it is my last time, because it could be. So it is always sweat and growls from me. I don't think I can do it any other way. I think the energy in the room is vital to a good show but it really doesn't change how we approach different shows. Whether there is 3 people or 3000 we play like it is our last time.”
More on Ampline on their website at http://www.ampline.net/
BONUS ROUND:
What do you ask a band so that your interview doesn’t sound like every other music interview in the history of music interviews? You ask them to create a pie chart.
Dar Ward
Contributor
Dar has lived in Madison since 1993, is an alternative transportation planner/advocate, and is former executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. Dar also plays drums in Seven Stone Weaklings (a retro-punk cover band) and The Drain (original rock), plays bass in Crackity Jones (a Pixies tribute band) and is the author of the novel, Becoming Alec.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| piechart.jpg | 44.58 KB |
That was 15 years ago, I went
Submitted by coach factorysasa on Fri, 2012-10-26 04:40.
That was 15 years ago, I went to the city on business, leaving coach outlet online the subject of business, I go to the mall to buy some gifts to colleagues. Usually, when I go shopping like to carry some coins, because the mall near sometimes begging people to twelve coins in my heart will ease some. This day as well, still some coins in the pocket, coach factory outlet so I will give a coach outlet store bunch of little beggars begging ten a few coins scattered. Just then, I saw a boy holding a sign high and looked at me, no doubt, that he would like to get my attention. I went to him in the past, to see his girl of coach purses outlet thirteen-year-old, poorly dressed very clean, hair combed neatly. He is not like the others hands take a Tang Cigang, his brand side painted with a boy in a shoe, the side that says - "I want a shoeshine box.
I was doing investment business, anyway, there is still time, I asked the boys how much money is needed, the boy said: "125."
I shook my head, and said he wants the shoeshine box is too expensive. Boy say no more expensive, also said he has been to four wholesale markets, have seen, want to buy a dedicated box, stool, good clean oil, good soft brush, the dozen shoe polish, to reach 125 yuan his request. Boy, speaking in tongues, right rhythmic.
I asked him how much money is now in the hands, the boy imagined, said to have 35 yuan, 90 yuan less also. I have carefully looked at the boy, determined he was not a little liar, then took out his wallet, took out 90 yuan, said: "90 dollars to you, be my investment. Condition, took the money from you this moment, we are a partner. I stay for five days in the city within five coach factory online days, you should not only gave me 90 dollars, I would also like to have a dollar of interest if you promise this condition, 90 yuan is now owned by you. "
The boy excitedly looked at me Mankoudaying the. The boy also told me that he read the sixth grade, every week only to go on three days lessons, other days to cattle, sheep, help mothers farming, his results did not slide down over the top three, so he Best. I asked him why they buy the shoeshine box, he said that the family was poor, and he wants to take advantage of the summer and save enough tuition.
I looked at the boy in an appreciation of the psychological, then take him to the wholesale market to buy a shoe shine boxes and various other shoeshine appliances. Boy carrying a box, ready to be placed under the stall at the mall entrance. I shook my head and said, as his partner, in order to recover their costs, and the obligation to remind him to choose the place of business. Mall within the free shoe shine, a lot of people know. Boy seriously thought, asked: "election in the hotel opposite how?" I thought, here is a tourist city, a car a car every day to live in the hotel, they traveled the next day to travel definitely need shoes polished. Think of these, I promised him.
So the boy settled in the vicinity of the coach outlet hotel entrance, his shoeshine box into a little farther away from the door, he see no one around and said to me: "Why do not I paid a dollar interest? You should know my level of service. "Puchi" laugh, this little guy was witty, he is going to give me Shoe of which $'s interest with shoeshine charges arrived. I appreciate his shrewd, they sit him on the bench, said: "if you polished bad to prove that you're lying, my investment to a dishonest person to prove my investment failed." The boy's head Akira like a rattle, says he is the best, and his shoeshine training practice at home for a month. You know, not many people in rural areas and a few pairs of good shoes, he is the one to let them shoes out, carefully wipe polished.
A few minutes later, looking at the shoes light can Kam people, I nodded with satisfaction. Out of coach outlet store your pocket red pen, wrote the two characters in his left and right cheek: "Best" boy music. Just then, a minibus car with a car over visitors, he quickly carrying a shoeshine box ran over and pointed to his face after another to get off the travelers, said: "This is my reward customer, you want to try? your shoes I would become a mirror. "In this way, the boys busy ...
The next day, I came to the hotel to see the boy early to keep stalls, he excitedly told me yesterday he earned 50 dollars removing me 18 yuan, dinner spend three, his net surplus of 29 yuan. I patted him on the head, and bless him for good. He said that last night, did not sleep Bridge, but sleep Chase Shop, but did not pay 5 dollars bunk money, I doubt how beds will not pay money? In this case, the boy smiled smugly: "I help the boss and the boss rub a dozen pairs of shoes, tonight, I also do not have money to stay."
Five days passed quickly, I want to leave this city, and five days, the boy also 18 yuan, also enough 90 yuan. The boys know that I coach factory outlet online am louis vuitton purses the manager of an investment company in Beijing, said to be and so he graduated from university, will go to Beijing to look for me, saying, he stretched out a small black hand, I have also lent a hand, the two stingy clenched together ......
Stroke, was actually 15 years.
I left the original investment in the company, he opened a trading company. This day, I'm the office boggling, because of the unexpected loss of a large number of goods, working capital is facing difficulties, the Quartet in debt payment. Just put down the phone, the secretary came in and said there was a young man of cheap coach purses about my lunch, I asked who Touyebutai, secretary to come up with a key chain, put on my desk, looking at this key chain, and I froze lived, that the above is a glass Winnie, Winnie the coach factory forehead engraved on three words: "I am the best".
I think of it, this key chain, stuffed into his palm gift 15 years ago I Shoe juvenile parting handshake.
By noon, I walked into the hotel, book a good seat stood up in suits and ties, the young people of the British Gas is pressing. His subtle smile, slightly curved waist towards me. From his face, I found little then shadow Shoe young. Tea, he took out a five million check, said: "I want to invest in your company, the profits arrived back within five years."
5 million, it is timely help!
http://www.sandrabridalshop.com/
Submitted by sertfyry on Fri, 2012-11-23 06:34.
The 386$ - 2010 La Sposa Leira Wedding Gown in the picture is also very beautiful. It seems that you know a lot about the 364$ - 2010 La Sposa Leiza Wedding Gown. Are you willing to promote 357$ - 2010 La Sposa Lema Wedding Gown? I can give you a good mission. The profit of the 368$ - 2010 La Sposa Lemon Wedding Gown I am selling is very high.
personal finance management
Submitted by kathrinepearl (not verified) on Thu, 2012-12-13 03:22.
Grear blog!!!!
http://incometherapy.com
Security systems Kata Kata
Submitted by Anonymousazaaz (not verified) on Tue, 2013-05-21 22:29.
Security systems Kata Kata Bijak Margahayuland mansion Home security systems Security systems Kata Kata Bijak Margahayuland mansion Kata Mutiara Margahayuland Security systems Kata Kata Bijak Margahayuland mansion
Mungkin bagi sebagian besar
Submitted by Anonymouszaz (not verified) on Mon, 2013-03-25 02:11.
Mungkin bagi sebagian besar masyarakat sangat asing dengan yang namanya bisnis property. Ya kitmasih bisa memahami jika bisnis ini disebut dengan bisnis jual beli rumah atau dengan bahasa lainnya broker rumah. Itu adalah bahasa sederhana tentang bisnis yang satu ini. Ada yang mengatakannya untuk menjalani bisnis ini sangat susah tapi ada juga yang mengatakannya sangat mudah. Bapak Cipto Junaedy seorang pakar bisnis property yang akan menuntun anda memiliki rumah tanpa modal tanpa utang, bahkan anda bisa memilikinya sampai lebih dari yang anda bayangkan, Selain itu anda harus Belajar bahasa inggris terlebih dahulu agar bisa berkomunikasi dengan baik dan mampu menerjemahkan situasi dengan mumpuni dan disinilah tempatnya anda menemukan segala apa yang anda cari selama ini, Jangan ragu lagi segeralah putuskan sebelum terlambat.
www.gotocoachsoutlets.com
Submitted by coach78 on Tue, 2012-11-06 19:24.
The next year, Prada released its definitive black nylon tote. That same year, the house of Prada began expansion across continental Europe by opening locations in prominent shopping districts within Florence, Paris, Madrid, and New York City. A shoe line was also released in 1984. In 1985, Miuccia released the "classic Prada handbag" that became an overnight sensation. Although practical and sturdy, its sleek lines and craftsmanship exuded an offhand aura of luxury that has become coach factory outlet the Prada signature.
In 1987, Miuccia and Bertelli married. Prada launched its women's ready-to-wear collection in 1989, and the designs came to be known for their dropped coach purses outlet waistlines and narrow belts. Prada's popularity skyrocketed when the fashion world took notice of its clean lines, opulent fabrics, and basic colors.
The logo for the label was not as obvious a design coach handbags outlet element as those on bags from other prominent luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton. It tried to market its lack of coach outlet online prestigious appeal, including the apparel, was its image of "anti-status" or "reverse snobbery."
Sales were reported at L 70 billion, or US$31.7 million, in 1998. Partrizio di Marco took charge of the growing business in the United States after cheap coach purses working for the house in Asia. He was successful in having the Prada bags prominently displayed in department stores, so that they could become a hit with fashion editors. Prada's continued success was http://www.buycoachsoutletonline.org attributed coach outlet to its "working-class" theme which, Ginia Bellafante at the louis vuitton handbags New York Times Magazine proclaimed, "was becoming chic in the high-tech, IPO-driven early 1990s." Furthermore, now louis vuitton purses husband and wife, Miuccia and Bertelli led the Prada label on a cautious expansion, making products hard to come by.
In 1992, the high louis vuitton fashion brand Miu Miu, named after Miuccia's nickname, launched. Miu Miu catered to younger consumers, such as celebrities. By 1993 Prada was awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for accessories.[1]
http://www.jeanbride.com/
Submitted by sertfyry on Fri, 2012-11-23 06:34.
Good article about cheap JLM Couture wedding dresses. I have seen many pictures of beautiful cheap Jasz Couture prom dresses. I will introduce your article to my friend. She is wondering whether to buy the www.jeanbride.com. I think you can help her.
"As I turned my head and
Submitted by linchen on Tue, 2012-11-06 20:29.
"As I turned my head and watched him slide from view I just started screaming 'No!' because that was the only thing I could perfect the north face outlet good quality promise think of," Griber remembers, "After he slid by, it was just absolute silence,"Griber yelled out to Sanders, but when he got no response, he realized the other climber must have fallen, too."As I turned my head and watched him slide from view I just started screaming 'No!' because that was the only thing I could think of," Griber remembers, "After he best cheap north face jackets loved by many people slid by, it was just absolute silence,"Griber yelled out to Sanders, but when he got no response, he realized the other climber must have fallen, too.
http://www.sandrabridalshop.com/
Submitted by sertfyry on Thu, 2012-11-22 06:18.
The article is very well written! Thank you very much for giving me a chance to read such a wonderful article! I want to buythis 364$ - 2010 La Sposa Limoges Wedding Gown, but my husband prefers another one. Could you give us some advice about 380$ - 2010 La Sposa Lina Wedding Gown in this regard?
http://www.jeanbride.com/
Submitted by sertfyry on Thu, 2012-11-22 06:18.
This article is really helpful and wonderful and would be better if more introductions of the cheap Jasz Couture prom dresses are available.
MASTER OF BUSINESS
Submitted by dhinicarnetta on Fri, 2013-03-29 14:02.
ESER Unlimited Power Bank | Recycler | Konsumen Cerdas Paham Perlindungan Konsumen
Obat Wasir dan Ambeien Manjur di obatwasir.biz
Submitted by Obat wasir dan ambeien manjur (not verified) on Tue, 2012-12-04 06:12.
http://gembel.pun.bz/obat-wasir-dan-ambeien-manjur-di-obatwas.xhtml
http://gembel.pun.bz/category/umum-324/1.xhtml
http://gembel.pun.bz
Thank you again for all the
Submitted by Gunawancavalera on Tue, 2012-12-04 11:55.
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,Fortuner SUV Terbaik
Ekiosku.com jual beli online aman menyenangkan
Commonwealth Life Perusahaan Asuransi Jiwa Terbaik Indonesia
Kereta Mini, Kereta Mall, Komedi Putar Ya Keretaminiku.com
Software ERP Indonesia
Fortuner SUV Terbaik
Software ERP Indonesia
kue ulang tahun
Roti Buaya
Jasa pembuatan website
coach outlet online
Submitted by ppchen8 on Mon, 2012-12-10 03:46.
http://www.usacoachfactoryonline.com/ coach outlet online
http://www.coachoutletpurseso.com/ cheap coach purses
http://www.coachfactorybagso.com/ coach factory
http://www.coachfactorystoreso.com/ coach factory online
http://www.coachoutletcanadaa.com/ coach outlet online
http://www.coachoutletonlinebagss.com/ coach outlet online
http://www.coachfactoryoutletusa2013.com/ coach factory outlet
http://www.coachoutletusashopping.com/ coach outlet
http://www.coachoutletstoreonline6u.com/ coach outlet online
http://www.coachoutletonlinepurseso.com/ cheap coach purses
http://www.coachoutletonlinefan.com/ coach outlet online
Commonwealth Life Perusahaan Asuransi Jiwa Terbaik Indonesia
Submitted by bungas (not verified) on Thu, 2012-12-20 06:30.
Nice article and very useful and very inspired blog for me to write an article
Commonwealth Life Perusahaan Asuransi Jiwa Terbaik Indonesia
http://bungas-barubelajar.blogspot.com/2012/11/commonwealth-life-perusahaan-asuransi.html
cheap jordans
Submitted by jinchen on Mon, 2012-12-24 22:36.
he promised "big change" and played up momentum he said said cheap replica handbags said has been building since the first debate."The Obama campaign
have a plan," Romney told supporters in Cincinnati. "The Obama Obama cheap jordans for sale Obama campaign is slipping because he's talking about smaller and
things despite the fact that America has such huge challenges challenges cheap replica handbags challenges and that this is such an opportunity for America,
that's why on Nov. 6 I'm counting on Ohio to to cheap replica handbags to vote for big change."Get more pure politics at ABCNews.com/Politics
a lighter take on the news at OTUSNews.comElsewhere on the the cheap real air jordans the trail, vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's rally in Bristol,
was visited by a plane dragging a sign that read, read, replica designer handbags read, "Romney's GOP: Wrong on Rape and Women."The message, sponsored
liberal activists MoveOn.Org, is part of an effort to stoke stoke imitation designer handbags stoke outrage over comments made by the Republican Indiana Senate
Richard Mourdock. During a debate Tuesday, "I've struggled with it it cheap jordans for sale it myself for a long time, but I came to
that life is that gift from God. And, I think, think, imitation designer handbags think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of
that it is something that God intended to happen."Mourdock has has cheap jordans has since said his words were "mistook and twisted." Romney,
cut a TV and web ad supporting him in the the imitation designer handbags the days before the debate, has distanced himself from the
praise
Submitted by Obat Herbal Jantung Koroner (not verified) on Thu, 2012-12-27 10:17.
say like the article you provided, it adds insight for me personally
obat herbal jantung koroner
great
Submitted by Obat Tradisional (not verified) on Sun, 2013-01-06 17:10.
this site is very good and very inspired blog for me, i hope my site wan like your site
Pengobatan Tradisional Alami Ace Max's
fake oakleys 2013 6 racers
Submitted by kei111 on Thu, 2013-05-16 22:07.
fake oakleys 2013 6 racers finish first and second in the pulitzer trophy race
Given what JG says, the answer may still be 'no'. It may simply be what's missing when one doesn't pay heed to defeaters (and so explains why one lacks knowledge in just those cases), and he says only that virtue reliabilism (VR) "allows for" SJ. If this is right, then it seems like a nice approach, except that, again, I'm not one of those reliabilists who tend to go internalist.
LOL I didn't remember that u buy replica oakley ntil i read your description. foakley sunglasses But for the most part, things are running smoothly for me. Uploaded a story with photos with no problem and pretty good speed. showed you those two rings side by side, one, a real a tiffany ring. The other one sold at costco with tiffany in the title. Tonight, tiffany is not happy, taking costco to court.
Many a time, we find ourselves wanting something so badly but not able to attain it due to its heavy tag price. Well, no worries here. As said before, there is a pair of Oakley's for everyone. When you first come into the league, it's about survival and making a name for yourself. But eventually you learn that winning is the only thing that matters, The trade was completed on Dec. 7, and X post facto the Suns won seven in a row, and have been playing like a contender since, foakleys c six ="text-decoration: underline,foakleys for sale with foakley sunglasses McDaniel averaging more than 20 poin fake oakleys jupiter ts a game,
"'Old Blush' is probably the most frequently found in old cemeteries, foakleys for sale which poin knock off oakleys Fast Jacket ts to its ability to be successful over the long haul, Shoup says. Among other century-old beauties catching his eye are 'Souvenir de la Malmaison', 'Mrs. ' and 'Ducher'.
Common PitfallsThe problem with some running sunglasses is that they do not provide enough grip while running to keep the glasses from banging against your nose as you run. This is annoying and painful, and may cause bruising in rare circumstances. To avoid this problem, make sure the glasses you foakley sunglasses buy fit snugly against the bridge foakley sunglasses of your nose even while jumping.
Trendy and stylish, you can find all of your favourite sunglass styles with the Prada name etched into them. You can foakley sunglasses find everything from Aviator style to the well loved large lens glasses in the Prada sunglasses line up. Each foakleys for sale frame is a true Italian design and they are all elegant with smooth lines that are made by the best craftsmen the company can find.
* If you are somewhat unsure of the product that you are getting from other outlets and you still want to buy cheap Oakleys online, try to look for discounted eyewear from the official site of the brand. The site sometimes sells discounted eyewear every now and then. You might be lucky enough to get yourself a slightly lower-priced Oakley from the manufacturer's site.
foakley for sale foakley sunglasses Oakley C-WIRE Sunglasses
Post new comment