A.M.M.A.S.
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | SELF
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Keeping the band together for five years has probably been the hardest thing Gastonia-based band A.M.M.A.S. has done to this point, said Stroupe.
It's survived a name change (it played its first three performances as Among the Living before discovering a Midwest group had the name first) and almost two years without a lead singer, auditioning 19 front men in that time before Bowen settled into the role last year. Practices, members said, are like shows - full of sweat, blood and tears at every rehearsal.
But sticking it out is finally starting to pay off. The band's March performance at the Battle of the Bands event at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte not only earned them free studio time, but it means that four record labels will receive copies of their music once they're finished laying down tracks this summer.
And they'll be headlining one of the days at the Charlotte 50, a two-day music festival taking place Sept. 5-6.
"When it comes to playing and wanting this more than anything in the world, that's why we stick together," Stroupe said.
As for the band's name?
It's an acronym Stroupe came up with out of the blue while sitting in the driveway under the hot summer sun before band practice. When the others asked him what it stood for, he rattled off "Audio Musical Mechanical Animal Strong."
It suits the band, which skillfully weaves its jazz, Spanish, reggae and classical influences into its rock-heavy sound.
"Everybody throws in their two cents," Stroupe said. "It's all an incorporation of how everybody feels."
Who: A.M.M.A.S.
Members: McCray Bowen (vocals), Jeremy Caldwell (bass and keyboard), Chris Woods (rhythm guitar), Justin Stroupe (drums and percussion), Kenny Starr (rhythm and lead guitar) and The Trevor Seifts (lead guitar).
Sounds like: You've mixed a pot of coffee with a can of Red Bull and thrown in a 5-Hour Energy shot for good measure. In other words, it definitely gets you amped. "I guess if you described our sound it would be progressive metal fusion," Starr said.
Releases: Not yet, but coming soon. The band won a Battle of the Bands contest in March, which earned them free recording studio time and the opportunity to headline a two-day music festival in Charlotte over the Labor Day weekend.
See it live: You'll have to wait awhile. The band will be playing on a limited basis while hitting the recording studio and gearing up for their big headlining opportunity.
Sample the music: Check out songs "No Longer Myself" and "A Bad Attempt" on the band's Web site: www.myspace.com/ammasband.
http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/band-35596-survives-thrives.html - Gaston Gazette
Who: A.M.M.A.S.
Members: McCray Bowen (vocals), Jeremy Caldwell (bass and keyboard), Chris Woods (rhythm guitar), Justin Stroupe (drums and percussion), Kenny Starr (rhythm and lead guitar) and The Trevor Seifts (lead guitar).
Sounds like: You've mixed a pot of coffee with a can of Red Bull and thrown in a 5-Hour Energy shot for good measure. In other words, it definitely gets you amped. "I guess if you described our sound it would be progressive metal fusion," Starr said.
Releases: Not yet, but coming soon. The band won a Battle of the Bands contest in March, which earned them free recording studio time and the chance to headline a two-day music festival in Charlotte over the Labor Day weekend.
See them live: You'll have to wait awhile. The band will be playing on a limited basis while hitting the recording studio and gearing up for their big headlining opportunity.
Sample the music: Check out songs "No Longer Myself" and "A Bad Attempt" on the band's Web site: www.myspace.com/ammasband.
Keeping the band together for five years has probably been the hardest thing Gastonia-based band A.M.M.A.S. has done to this point, said Stroupe.
It's survived a name change (it played its first three performances as Among the Living before discovering a Midwest group had the name first) and almost two years without a lead singer, auditioning 19 front men before Bowen settled into the role last year. Rehearsals, members said, are like shows - full of sweat, blood and tears.
But sticking it out is finally starting to pay off. The band's winning performance at the Battle of the Bands event at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte not only earned them free studio time, but it means that four record labels will receive copies of their music once they're finished laying down tracks this summer.
And they'll be headlining at the Charlotte 50, a two-day music festival taking place Sept. 5-6 at Tremont.
"When it comes to playing and wanting this more than anything in the world, that's why we stick together," Stroupe said.
As for the band's name?
It's an acronym Stroupe came up with out of the blue while sitting in the driveway under the hot summer sun before band practice. When the others asked him what it stood for, he rattled off "Audio Musical Mechanical Animal Strong."
It suits the band, which skillfully weaves its jazz, Spanish, reggae and classical influences into its rock-heavy sound.
"Everybody throws in their two cents," Stroupe said. "It's all an incorporation of how everybody feels."
http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/band-35579-stroupe-music.html - Gaston Gazette
A.M.M.A.S. goes to Charlotte
Gastonia-based metal band A.M.M.A.S. is slated to headline the first night of the Charlotte 50 music festival this weekend.
The two-day event, presented by Gorilla Productions, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte. A.M.M.A.S. is scheduled to take the stage at 11 p.m. Saturday. The event will also serve as a CD release party for the band’s first self-titled release, which blends the band’s jazz, Spanish, reggae and classical influences with its progressive metal sound.
A.M.M.A.S. is the acronym for Audio Musical Mechanical Animal Strong. The band consists of McCray Bowen (vocals), Jeremy Caldwell (bass and keyboard), Chris Woods (rhythm guitar), Justin Stroupe (drums and percussion), Kenny Starr (rhythm and lead guitar) and The Trevor Seifts (lead guitar).
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. There is a $3 surcharge for those under 21 years of age. For advance tickets or a CD, contact Christopher Hill at 980-225-2778 or email chrisahillnc@aol.com.
For more information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/ammasband or www.myspace.com/ammasband.
Gaston Dance registering for fall classes
Gaston Dance, an affiliate of the Gaston Arts Council, is accepting registrations for their fall classes. Classes are offered in ballet, modern, jazz and creative dance for ages 3 and up. Adult classes are also available during the morning hours. The fall season begins Tuesday . Gaston Dance is located in Unity Place, 201 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia.
For information on registration call 704-865-5943.
BBQ fundraiser benefits Clover bands
The Clover Bands Booster Club will be hosting a barbecue fundraiser on Oct. 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the old Clover Middle School Cafeteria, next to Memorial Stadium. The price is $7 per plate for eat in or carry out. This fundraiser coincides with the home football game between Clover and Westside. The barbecue is being provided by Fletcher’s.
Tickets can be purchased in advance from any band member, booster club member or booster club officer. They will, also, be available at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Clover Bands Booster Club. This non-profit organization helps the many different bands at Clover High School and the Clover area Middle Schools with expenses such as travel, uniform cleaning, extra instructors and instrument repair.
http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/charlotte-37552-saturday-tremont.html - Gaston Gazette
AMMAS at Battle of the Bands
Gastonia-based progressive/fusion/metal band AMMAS will perform at the Battle of the Bands event at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of show. Advance tickets will be available between 3 and 9 p.m. today through Saturday at an upper-level booth at Westfield Eastridge Mall, 246 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia.
AMMAS consists of band members Chris Woods, McCray Bowen, Justin Stroupe, Kenny Starr, Jeremy Caldwell and Trevor Seifts. To check them out, visit www.myspace.com/ammasband. - Gaston Gazette
Discography
AMMAS - AMMAS Released in August of '09 and the Digital Release was Feb. of '10. Our album is now on Itunes, cdbaby, and many others coming.
Photos
Bio
Playing for over five years as AMMAS we have many influences in our music. Triple guitars give us a wide variety of ideas, full rhythm with dual harmonies, and the ability to create rises and falls in the music. While the bass comes in with a smooth simple backbone that ties the drums and the guitars together.As well as Keyboard/Samples done by Bassist. The drums are truly the key to our sound with 9 drums and 16 cymbals he truly uses them wisely and the beats make the music a mature sound with energy to spare. Last but not least the vocals, McCray brings the whole sound together making some of our more complicated pieces of music simple for the majority of our audience. As well as mixing singing with screaming he adds the final touch to the six of us. Our influences are quite broad. Between the buried and me, Dream Theater, August Burns Red, Metallica, All That Remains, Unearth, Scale The Summit, All Shall Perish, Asking Alexandria, Tool, Pantera, Elton John. Imogen Heap, Sarah McLachlan, Led Zeppelin, A Perfect Circle, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Iron Maiden, The Doors, John Mayer, Coldplay, Foreigner, Pink Floyd, Genesis, ELO, Queen, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Killswitch Engage, Dimmu Borgir, Soilwork, After The Burial, Chimaira, Tenacious D, Bob Marley, Andres Sagovia, Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini, and Ourselves AMMAS of course. We are a rare band that's for sure. All of us were in previous bands and met at some gigs and just blended all of our minds and sounds together to make who we are today.
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