Dreamfast

Artist Information

Biography

– With thought provoking lyrics and melodies that won’t willingly leave your head, pop-punk band Dreamfast easily accomplishes front woman and founder Amyh K. Hart’s goal of making sure the audience gets its money’s worth. “When you come to a Dreamfast show, do not expect to leave without extremely sore feet, a smile on your face, and glitter in your hair”, says Amyh. “I only have one goal at every Dreamfast show, and that is to make sure that the entire room is having as much fun as I am.”

Dreamfast was conceived by Amyh during a psychology class at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. She always wanted to start a band, and her enrollment in college was simply getting in the way. She soon moved back home to Magnolia, AR and assembled the first incarnation of the band, began writing music, and eventually landed gigs around Southern Texas and Central Arkansas. Realizing that her small hometown had no music scene, she decided to move to nearby Little Rock. Amyh soon surrounded herself with dedicated musicians and began to play shows throughout the reqion. Dreamfast quickly built a loyal fanbase and scored opening shows for many national acts such as Yellowcard, Lucero, Further Seems Forever, The Ataris, Dynamite Boy, Tsunami Bomb, and even played for thousands at Little Rock’s annual Riverfest Festival opening for Everclear.

Dreamfast’s first album “In Armor” was released in 2007. In support of the record they toured the US extensively and also did dates in Mexico and Canada. Around this time Amyh also decided to return to college and subsequently relocated the band to Fayetteville, AR to attend the University of Arkansas. Once a new line-up of Fayetteville locals was assembled, Dreamfast hit the road again. While playing a show at The Roxy in Los Angeles, the group caught the attention of Rod Records CEO and was quickly signed to a record deal, under which Dreamfast recorded “The No Coast EP” at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO, owned and operated by punk legend Bill Stephenson (Black Flag, Descendents, ALL).

In the following months, Dreamfast received rave reviews for the album and for intense live shows as they continued to tour the US. The band was also nominated for several Northwest Arkansas Music Awards, including a “Best Female Vocalist” nod for Amyh. After a few more line-up changes, the band now featured Alabama native and former Dirts guitarist JJ “Bama” Dirt, guitarist Jarrod Van Brunt (also frontman of Fayetteville band Jarris), bassist Jen Cannon, and drummer Steven Rankin. The newly strengthened Dreamfast teamed up with producer Adam Putman at Insomniac Studios in Fayetteville to record “My Wounds, My Weapons”, a powerful EP featuring Dreamfast’s best songs and performances to date.

Dreamfast recently signed with local record label Slam Bang Records, who will release “My Wounds, My Weapons” on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Both the band and Amyh continue to be recognized by the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards, currently nominated for “Best Punk Band” and “Best Female Vocalist” respectively for the 2012 Awards set to take place in late April. Dreamfast also released a video for “Marcus Allen”, the first single from “My Wounds, My Weapons”. A second video is currently in pre-production. In addition to recent spots supporting 10 Years, The Ataris, and Alient Ant Farm, Dreamfast plans to tour both regionally and nationally in 2012 to promote “My Wounds, My Weapons” and to continue giving the fans a smile and even some glitter.

"Very big things are on the horizon for Dreamfast. This band will definately go far, it is up to you if you want to join in on the action or watch from the sidelines..."

Instrumentation

Amyh Hart - Vocals, Guitar
JJ "Bama" Dirt - Guitar, Backing Vox
Jen Cannon - Bass, Backing Vox
Jarrod Van Brunt - Guitar, Backing Vox
Steven Rankin - Drums

Discography

"May I Have This SLam Dance?" EP--2000 Skunkative records

"In Armor" Full Length--2005 independent

"The No Coast EP" EP--2008 rod records

"My Wounds, My Weapons" --2011 Independent

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Dreamfast Tumblr
• Dreamfast facebook

Audio

• Marcus Allen
  Listen  
• Our Funeral
  Listen  
• Brand New Notches
  Listen  
• This City
  Listen  
• Promise
  Listen  

Lyrics

• The Battle

Video

ETDreamfast.wmv

Photo Gallery

Press

• Punk Planet review [+ Show ]
  

  "Excellent pop-punk from down in Arkansas that keeps it simple and because of which succeeds wildly...."Excellent pop-punk from down in Arkansas that keeps it simple and because of which succeeds wildly. Female vocals add an even poppier feel, and the songwriting never gets complex to the point of being too technical for a pop-punk band. Seek this out for a good, honest pop fix."
  --dave hofer
  associate reviews coordinater
  punk planet

• Little Rock Monthly Local Music Guide [+ Show ]
  

  “Lead guitarist and vocalist amyh hart fronts this infectious punk-pop threesome with bassist Ryan U...“Lead guitarist and vocalist amyh hart fronts this infectious punk-pop threesome with bassist Ryan Universe adding backing vocals and Richard Universe on drums. With an anthemic and emotive sound (reminiscent of Pretty Girls Make Graves), punctuated by Hart’s soaring vocals, Dreamfast has attracted several record labels interested in signing the band, but citing a desire to preserve it’s artistic integrity and freedom, the band remains independent for now.”

• "In Armor" album review [+ Show ]
  

  Maybe it's because I was watching this movie just before listening to this album, but Dreamfast bear...Maybe it's because I was watching this movie just before listening to this album, but Dreamfast bears a resemblence to Josie and the Pussycats combined with influences that seem to range from Tsunami Bomb to the pop punk sounds of bands like Screeching Weasel. I think a producer would help in their recording, but only with the mixing; the songs are pretty tight. Vocally, they are a great band. I love a girl singing in a punk rock band. Overall this is a good record and worth checking out if you're looking for something different then the usual stuff being released these days. (JK)

• "In Armor" review #2 [+ Show ]
  

  In the music, where the entire spectrum is dominated by record labels who are promoting the next big...In the music, where the entire spectrum is dominated by record labels who are promoting the next big thing, or bringing back old favorites, there is often suffocation on the little guys (or girls) out there in the music industry. The bands who have no label, work independently, trying to become famous like the bands they idolize. This would also be the case for the band known as Dreamfast, led by Amyh Hart. That’s right, boys and girls, a girl leading a punk rock band. However, although they’re relatively unknown from the self-proclaimed “Mean streets of Little Rock, Arkansas,” with perseverance, the entire band’s dreams could become reality.
  
  Hart takes on the male-dominated world of music along with the Universe brothers, Ryan and Richard. Ryan, the man on the bass and backup vocals, along with Richard on drums on the band’s newest album. At times, including the song “Matt vs. The View” Ryan sounds a little bit like Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell with his voice, which is impressive and flows smoothly with the song.
  
  The album begins rather slowly, but maturely as the instrumental “Let There Be Light” seemingly glides into the first song on the album, and one of the better ones at that, in “Ashley Please.”
  
  Dreamfast also shows glimpses of their writing abilities in “The Battle,” with brilliant versus like “You say I can’t carry a sword, but I died on your’s alone.” Moving alone, they being to show influences, whether they’re intentional or not, in “No Coast Love Song” and “Matt vs. The View.” The first song reminds a listener of Blink-182 from the beats given from the drums and guitar. Hart also allows her voice to let loose and hit the high notes, sounding very impressive. In “Matt vs. The View” if one listens carefully enough, they may find that it reminds them of the All-American Rejects with their quick pace and claps. Once more the song shows their lyrical skill with, “This redundance has become so damn redundant.”
  
  “I-30 and Me” comes next, it may not be the most impressive song on the album, but the chorus is still good, as well as a decent pace to the song. “Room 606” has a nice intro to it after “I-30 & Me” but after that, it turns towards being my least favorite song on the album. Lyric-wise, it’s a good song, but the beat isn’t there. It just seems like constant thrashing. It may be punk, but it’s not like the rest of the album. There’s something lacking, and the song could be improved, possibly the only downfall of the album, but something that needs to be worked on in the future.
  
  “Miscounted Sheep” follows however, and falls back on track with the rest of the album. And pretty good all around, including a high-paced ending that can get any fan of punk music jumping.
  
  That energy doesn’t end either with “S. Pulaski.” It may not be the most classy song, but it has plenty of potential, much like the rest of the album. “Pathological Flyer” is a very good song all-around. Good chorus, good lyrics, good everything.
  
  But that’s not the end either, there’s also a little bonus track that follows it all up. It may not be anything like the rest of the songs, but it’s unique in it’s own way. It may not be polished or in much of any form, but it’s a more fitting ending to the album.
  
  But all in all, this is an impressive CD from a little-known band, trying to become well-known. If Dreamfast was given the chance by any record label, one would be sure that they would impress and with patience and practice, improve upon their talent.
  
  A few days ago, I was listening to Yellowcard’s first CD before they really hit it big, “One For The Kids,” and found certain parallels between them and Dreamfast. Each had their own style, each had a load of potential, and what Dreamfast needs to do, is put it all together and without a doubt they have a chance to become something most bands can only dream of.
  

• Dreamfast [+ Show ]
  

  “I haven’t met too many people in my lifetime with the passion for music and drive to succeed as Amy...“I haven’t met too many people in my lifetime with the passion for music and drive to succeed as Amyh Hart, the front-woman for Little Rock pop-punk trio, Dreamfast. She’s not what you might expect from the lead singer in a band, though. She is honest, irreverent, never overbearing, and always positive about her music and her scene. Her music radiates as well with all that makes her who she is.”

• "Chasing Evanescence" The Next Big Thing [+ Show ]
  

  Somebody had to go for it first. Bill Clinton became the first Arkansas president, and now Wesley Cl...Somebody had to go for it first. Bill Clinton became the first Arkansas president, and now Wesley Clark is actively trying to become the second one. And just as Evanescence became the first wildly famous band from the state, already the talk among the musically oriented has turned to "Who will be the next Evanescence?" It will be no small feat to duplicate the Little Rock band’s success. Evanescence’s debut album on Wind-Up records is still in the Top 10 and the band has a handful of Grammy nominations to boot. Bearing in mind that we don’t necessarily mean "who will be the next goth rock band with an eye-pleasing chick singer," we asked a few of the state’s sound pundits who might jump into the national spotlight next, and they all had their own ideas.
  The Kicks and DREAMFAST
  
  "The Kicks have signed with TVT Records and their CD comes out the first week in April," Clement says. "That’s an Arkansas act that will be hitting nationwide. They play Vino’s three or four times a year and they tour a lot; they’ve been out with The Donnas and Reel Big Fish.
  "Dreamfast was offered $700,000 by a start-up label in Europe, but passed it up. There was enough interest that they felt they didn’t need to jump on that."
  "In terms of commercial potential, Starkz, Silence the Epilogue, The Kicks and Dreamfast are making the most noise."
  

• Local Music Issue [+ Show ]
  

  “Dreamfast is an addictive band. They blend pop-punk power riffs with raw, original hooks and chang...“Dreamfast is an addictive band. They blend pop-punk power riffs with raw, original hooks and changes. They’re that not-so-standard band working in a genre that has become overpopulated and often burdened by the routine and same-old.”

• Fushion Magazine Interview [+ Show ]
  

  "A band with unique style and presence..." "this eccentric trio was a pleasure to interview. we l..."A band with unique style and presence..."
  
  "this eccentric trio was a pleasure to interview. we laughed and joked the whole time, they sort of resembled a tight little family."
  
  The rest of the article is an interview, which is too large to type out...
  
  
  
  

• "in armor" review [+ Show ]
  

  Dreamfast is a band with a whole lot of ambition. In Armor is a fast-paced rock album that falls som...Dreamfast is a band with a whole lot of ambition. In Armor is a fast-paced rock album that falls somewhere between pop punk and garage rock. The production is disappointing, and it hurts the album’s overall feel. Fortunately, Dreamfast are very good at the songwriting side. Every single song on this album has a great hook and a strong melody. If there were more harmonies or backing vocals, this band would sound huge compared to many of their contemporaries.
  
  Though no band wants to hear this, frontwoman Amyh Hart comes away as the star on this album. While her vocals are a bit bare, she is a very assertive vocalist. She’s not afraid to rock, but she’s also not afraid to be feminine, and that gives the songs a lot of power. These songs would probably come off a lot weaker without her incredible command of them.
  
  Overall, this is a good album. The songs are good and stay in your head after the album is over. Fans of bands like Last Tuesday and Cruiserweight will want to be sure to check out Dreamfast.
  

Setlist

Dreamfast can play however long or short is needed.

Basic Requirements

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