Band Name: AmpFibians
Genre: Surf Inspired Rock
Geographical Area: Cincinnati OH
Interview with Dave by email on 3/29/10
1. What is the current line-up of
your band?
Our linup is 2 guitars, one bass and
drummer with
Dave Davies (Knot of Kinks)
and Mancuda on guitars, Chris Damele
on bass and
Tom Coates pounding out the
surf beat.
2. How and when did you get started with your band?
We wanted to
play at a benefit honoring longtime
local surf DJ Rockin Robert
Hutchenson in 2008. We had enough
songs for a half an hour set and the
organizers were able to squeeze us
in along with the other 3 bands. It
was a great night of surf, and a
chance for us to get our feet wet
(so to speak).
That's a tough question... but I'd
have to say everyone from
The Ventures to
Jimi Hendrix to the Mermen to
just about every kind of music out
there.
4. What is the break down of cover vs. original material in your live shows and/or recordings?
I want to say about 75% original and 75% covers..oh wait ..that can't
be! Actually most of our songs are originals and a few covers with a twist. We
probably need to learn a few more covers to keep the unsuspecting listeners
happy with a familiar tune.
5. What recording have you done?
As of now we have 2 CDs...our
first... Spies in Love, is a
collection of songs recorded at
various times and places, and our
latest... It's Alive, was recorded
in the basement live with out the
use of studio trickery.
6. What kind of gear do you use?
I use a beloved Mosrite Combo,
alternating between a couple of
amps, one, a Traynor YGM-3, which
sounds great and is light and the
other , a mid 70's Twin Reverb which
also sounds great but is not light. Mancuda
uses an unusual Fender Masterbuilt
guitar with a Fender Blues Deluxe
amp. Chris uses a
custom bass guitar and amp.
Tom the drummer uses a 50's era set
of Gretsch drums which he says is
the same set that can be seen on the
Ventures LP......."Play Guitar with
The Ventures".
7. What is your band’s favorite
food/beverage?
Across the board.... we have to say
swamp water and crunchy little
insects.
8. How do you get gigs?
Blackmail and
extortion
9. What are the difficulties you
find playing your kind of music in
your area?
10. What positive attributes does
your band have that sets you apart
from other bands (of any genre)?
We try to push
the limits when we play and are not
afraid to take off with the music if
the situation arises. Sometimes the
music takes us with it and we have a
lot of fun riding it out. I think
people appreciate our looseness.
11. What have you found to be the single most effective promotional tool you’ve used to further your band’s musical path?
With out a
doubt the ability to connect up with
other bands and movers and shakers
through the internet. Sites like
NESMA and Surf Guitar 101 prove that
surf music is alive and
well. There's a lot of great bands
out there and the
sky's the limit on what and
where a band can go with their
music.
12. What’s the most interesting performance experience you’ve had?
The most
interesting performance for us would
be being invited to play at the Surf
Quake on the Lake in Cleveland in
2009. Tom
Hinders invited us up to the
Beachland Ballroom to play
with the
X-Chromatones, Spy-Fi and the
Cocktail Preachers. It was a
great night and we had a blast!
13. What do you hope to get out of
being a NESMA member?
It's always
great when someone appreciates your
music and having NESMA take us in is
an honor. It never hurts to be in
the company of greatness and we're
real excited to be part of it. We're
all about promoting the
surf music scene and will do
anything to help the cause. I think
that's what NESMA is all about.
14. Anything else?
We're all
longtime musicians having played
many styles throughout the years and
finally saw a direction with surf
music that is fresh and
inspiring. The brotherhood among
surf bands is strong and it's great
to be part of the scene. Long Live
Surf!
