PureVolume

Members: Brian Roberts, Luke Long, Brett Anderson, Lennon Bone

As a follow up to their 2004 debut CD Beatchen, Amsterbands latest release, Buckle in the Bible Belt, adds a new level of musical depth, lyrical complexity, and overall maturity to an already original style. Combining traditional elements from Ozarkian folklore and bluegrass beats into a high-energy rock sound gives Amsterbands music a feel like no other, and carves out a space in the indie rock scene that holds their music alone. This is not to say that the bands influences can not be felt in their music- a southern rock style that captures the catchy foot-stomping energy of Credence Clearwater Revival with an indie twist. The bands first single from the album, Saint Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor, is perhaps the most representative of this sound, combining four-part harmonies and biting guitar riffs with lyrics that delve into issues of nationalism, religious allegiances, and rites of passage.

Amsterbands lyrics authentically replicate the paradox that exists in the Midwestern Bible Belt that they know so well, where the realities of meth use, strip clubs, socio-economic hardship, and backwoods prejudices meet the literal interpretations of Biblical story-tellers. This Ozark milieu creates some contradictory notions of reality, but also some of the most poignant folk and gospel musical traditions in the nations history. Amsterbands uniquely Ozarkian vocals drive the lyrics home, and the sometimes sobering melodies are balanced musically by a full-on rock sound fitting the aptly titled Buckle in the Bible Belt.

This album follows a successful round of touring that began in 2004 with Beatchen. Since that debut full-length release on MayApple Records, Amsterband has visited many of the nations major markets, playing with national acts like Limbeck, Steel Train, Waking Ashland, and Ludo along the way. Their intense touring schedule over the past year and a half has seen them play almost 200 shows in over 60 cities, and those numbers are always growing. Only further success and growth is anticipated with the release of their latest album Buckle in the Bible Belt. A line from their debut single St. Nick captures the experience of this album precisely: this glimpse of brilliance is much better than your long look at mediocrity.