Art Music Politic

Music ::

Artists...

The plan is to create a resource for musicians and artists, eventually we want to get people chatting and helping each other out, but that's a longer term goal, in the immediate we see this page as a place where people can come and check out the bands and artists who've played at our events, the majority of whom will have done so not for financial reward, but to help amp and to support the various different causes we try to represent. Where there is a website we've included a link but in the case of artists there often is no website and so we've tried to include a bit more information about them. If you are interested in contacting anyone who does not have a link please let us know. Similarly if you're having trouble getting in touch with anyone through their websites let us know and we'll see what we can do. Finally, if you are an artist, musician, band or performer and have an idea of something you want to do, be it play at one of our gigs, put on a show or something totally different then get in touch, we'll always listen and help if we can. We're up for getting involved with projects and with people who want to do good things!

Music....

We've tried to split the list into genres, but of course music's about breaking genres so many won't sit comfortably in one hole or another. Bear it in mind and if you've time click through the links to check the bands for yourself. It'll be worth it!

The Bellagios

The Bellagios get a category of their own, not just because they're brilliant, but because they've been with amp from the start. Their sound mixes rock with reggae with funk with hip hop none of which does them justice. They won last year's Glastonbury competition in the Dance category but really the best thing is to check them out for yourselves. Honestly!

Acoustic/Folk/Roots

David Rovics is a guy George Bush would probably like to clamp in chains in Guantanamo Bay" Andy Kershaw BBC Radio 3. Click on the link, all his tracks are available for download, but in particular check out the track "Who would Jesus Bomb?" which says it all for me.
The Larry Love Show Band (AKA Alabama 3) is fronted by Alabama 3's favourite son, and dances with the devils of poetry, blues and gospel with equal disregard for all. The band features 3 members of the Alabama 3 lineup: Larry Love (vocals) Rock Freebass (guitar) Harpo Strangelove (harmonica)
Attila the Stockbroker is a sharp-tongued, high energy, social surrealist rebel poet and songwriter. His themes are topical, his words hard-hitting and his politics unashamedly radical.
Beans On Toast are a political, satirical, folk band, with shades of Billy Bragg about them. They haven't a website at the moment, but you can email Jay through his day job as a promoter at sensiblepromotions@tiscali.co.uk
Peyoti For President forge the dirtiest of sounds with the energetic spirit of flamenco together with other Hispanic, Arabic & African styles.
Sam Beer "He'll knock you down flat, and then lift you right back up with music shimmering in sunshine" - Half Moon. Which pretty much sums Sam up.
Chris TT "The genius of Chris T-T's songwriting is his ability to humanise even the most outlandish conceits. They seem instead like brilliant ideas that no-one else could've come up with." The Guardian.
Riot Folk are a collective of radical musicians acting as an anti-profit record label/performance troupe. Their goal is to write and distribute music that teaches, provokes, heals, and inspires.
The Rub the best way to get hold of him and also listen to his stuff is through the Peace-Not-War website (well worth checking out) which is where the link will take you.
Geezers of Nazerath dare to be different. Visit their site for all you could wish to know about the band, their music and the movers and shakers who've written and said such lovely stuff about 'em.
Rhythms of Resistance is a samba-esque drum band who play at demonstrations and direct actions that fall within the broad definition of 'anti-capitalist'. From Prague to Barcelona to Holland to France to good old Blighty, they've been around for a good while now and have spawned various 'sister-bands' throughout Europe and, indeed, the world. They consist of a fluid number of members from all walks of life who have an interest in empowerment for themselves and others, and in maintaining the energy of solidarity and of creative action against the interwoven constructs of those who feel like they need to suppress the humans and other animals of this beautiful planet.
Julien Chabert is a fantastic guitarist, classically trained and with a light touch, when he's on song and in the performance there is none better.

Rock/Indie/Pop

Semaphore are an acoustic power-pop group formed in Rome, Italy. In keeping with what we hope will become an amp tradition, we've got them b4 they were famous. If talent has anything to say about it these guys are on the cusp of something big.
Tin Soldier are a 4 piece indie/folk band. Following the success of their EP "February Snow" released in 2004 and triumphant appearances at venues across London and the southeast of England, they are currently busy recording their debut album.
Tallulah Rendall is a fast rising soulful singer/songwriter backed by a Patti Smith-esque band. Think PJ Harvey meets rumours and you won't be far off the mark.
Daddy Longlegs incredible live, the Daddy's enjoy cult status amongst their fans. Impossible to describe you're best of clicking on the link and checking them for yourselves
Akira "A frighteningly good proposition. Akira show enough promise here to suggest that they have serious potential, an unsigned band that can produce a track of the quality of 'The price of freedom' is a band to watch out for: keep your eyes on the skies." (God-isinthetv.tk)
Puggy I love em. They play a kind of acoustic rock. They've got a great website too, so have a listen for yourself.
Len Price 3 are a dirty garage rock band hailing from the Medway Delta. Their sound is forged in the Medway tradition, fusing driving energy, catchy hooks and a raw 60's garage sound.
Cyclub Lunas are a sometimes brilliant, schizophrenic, thrash, rock, electronica, US/Japanese outfit now based in London.

Funk/Hiphop/Beats/Electronica

DeadSilence Syndicate Band Spawned off the back of an ageing rave scene in London, 2000AD, they have been described as 'Punk 'n' Bass', among other things. Playing digital instruments, including V-drums, V-bass and electric cello Yet using no sequencers or backing tracks of any kind, makes this six piece outfit unique in this new era of live dance music.
Kamel Nitrate fuse electronica with Asian & Arabic grooves, drum and bass, funky breakbeat and dub. Nominated for best band in the BBC World Music Awards
Trojan Sound System Performing in the classic Sound System style, the Trojan Sound System resonates with endless energy through their live performance and in doing so represent whole heartedly the formidable Trojan Records - the legendary stable of artists and producers such as Bob Marley, Lee Scratch Perry, Gregory Isaacs, Dillinger, Dennis Alcapone and many more.
Subthunk critically acclaimed Anglo/US Electronica. Fantastic live, their music's also featured on hit TV shows like 6 Feet Under.
Angel is another member of the Peace-Not-War crew, she's a fantastic MC, singer and lyricist. Visit the Peace-Not-War website and click through to the Jukebox to hear her in action.
KP is a poet, MC and social commentator. It's all about the words man, it's all about the words. No website, so you'll have to email him at subculturesithlord@hotmail.com to find out more.
Digress are a wicked live act, hard to pigeon hole but then that's the idea, hiphop with groove and with loads of personality.
BocksCar are a new band with a big future, winners of heat one of the ThingummyGig, they play a mixture of funk, rock and hip hop
Planet Man & The Internationalz mix funk, reggae and jazz in to something distinctive and unique.
Chemical Dub Theory are lighting up the party scene in Bristol with new attitude and technology. Nu-school dub with old-skool impact. Runners-up behind The Bellagios in 2005's Glastonbury competition.
King Blues play political acoustic Ska.
The Drop since arriving on the UK scene back in 2004 have won considerable recognition. Their unique combination of soul, jazz and fresh beats makes them a band to look out for!
Katlama describe themselves as "country funk with a dub pop edge, although we do seem to be picking up a bit of ska along the way" stalwarts of the festival scene and more than just a band (see the Katrock section of their website) Katlama are well worth checking out!!
Dean Tukara solo singer/performer.
Bohemian is a poet, writer and reggae singer. A man of the people and of the street. Don't know where you'll be able to catch his stuff, but hope you do.