AMPLIFIED HEAT

Another trio that knocked me out at SXSW, with more extreme prejudice, was Amplified Heat — Hispanic-American brothers Jim, Gian and Chris Ortiz on guitar and vocals, bass and vocals, and drums, respectively — who destroyed a smaller crowd than they deserved with a boogie-war vengeance. Rock dreams that quickly came to mind: Stevie Ray Vaughan fronting the Groundhogs; ZZ Top with Blue Cheer running in their veins. Recommended until Amplified Heat release a new full-length album this year: their 2003 EP Amplified Heat (Arclight), recently reissued with a new mix and sounding a lot like what blew me back that night.
David Fricke

link: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/04/07/frickes-picks-chris-whitley-tall-firs/ - Rolling Stone

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat 'How Do You Like The Sound Of That'

Quick, somebody send a team of scientists down to Austin to interrogate these three crazy Ortiz brothers, because apparently they've developed a time machine. How else to explain how they've made a record that sounds like they snuck into the studio while BLACK SABBATH took a drug break from their first album sessions, and knocked out a Texas boogie-rock call to arms in about a take in a half, using the same amps and mikes? This is some exultant lo-fi denim rock that crackles and sparks with more raw drunken moxie than any ten fat ‘n sated stoner rock efforts.

Like any power trio worth its salt, AMPLIFIED HEAT play it slippery and funky, organic as hell, like ZZ TOP before the synths or CREAM at their most rockin'. Vocals are a double-tracked, tossed-off afterthought, something to do during a verse and a chorus, to get us to the next sweet riff or righteous solo. It's the kind of bong-rattling rock and roll that's not deliberately throwback or retro, but comes off that way because so few people know how to rock it this way any more. These guys can dig into some blues ("She Drank That Wine") as well as they can deliver shaggy-headed psych-tinged throwdowns like the gloriously goofy "Man on the Road" or the garage-y raveup "Rambler". It's all tied together with that live, loose sound, all fuzzed-out and full of analog goodness, tumblingBlabbermouth.net out of tattered amps like beer pouring in slo-mo into a frosted glass.

Reference points: THE ATOMIC BITCHWAX, DIXIE WITCH, MUDHONEY jamming with FU MANCHU, dudes with airbrushed art on their denim jacket that matches the side of their rusting Club Wagon van. And I like the sound of that just fine.

link:http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1274 - Keith Bergman

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat (self titled)


Wherein the three brothers Ortiz relaunch the band's first waxing (200 pressed), including a couple tracks indicative of the brothers' electric blues rootage. Good idea guys: The strolling history of TX blues is a wide gulch, and there's no reason not to jump in. As there are no quality issues involved, the inclusion makes the CD palatable to your uncle who hasn't bought a new record since Johnny Winters' Third Degree in '88.

Truthfully, if I wasn't informed of which tracks were the blues ones, I'da got one right, "She Drank That Wine," but the more upbeat number, "Mornings Warning," is a beer and a half away from their rock, esp. the second tune "I Don't Care." Overall, a nice slice that people can now grub up the second week of April.

If your train stops for '70s ZZ Top records, Hognose, The Brought Low, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, or the Black Crowes with Jimmy Page thing, it can pull in here.


link: http://www.lollipop.com/article.php3?text=2007/02feb/amplifiedheat.html



- Craig Regala

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat 'How Do You Like The Sound Of That'

Now, I’m normally all for forward-thinking music, and I’ve said more than a few harsh words about deliberately ‘retro’ bands in the past. However, like all music fans, I’m a total sucker for some styles when played well enough. One of those styles in my case happens to be groovy, swaggering, blues-based throwback hard rock, and Amplified Heat are well-nigh masters of the craft. I enjoyed the shit out of the self-titled EP they reissued through Arclight Records earlier this year, and since then the members of this act (the Ortiz brothers; Jim on guitar, Chris on drums, and Gian on bass) were involved in a knife fight that left the rhythm section with multiple stabwounds a piece. They’ve already gotten back on their feet and recorded a new full-length, which sorta gives these guys the rock version of 50 Cent’s injury-based street cred (unlike some other Texan “badasses” I could name). More impressively, they’ve outdone their already fun packed EP with another slab of foot-stomping 70s-style rock and roll.

Not a whole lot has changed stylistically here; Amplified Heat still cull pretty much evenly from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, and ZZ Top. The songs are shamelessly derivative, but like the blues from whence this music evolved, the quality of the performance is the ticket, and once again these guys pull through in spades. Jim Ortiz’s singing voice still isn’t the most impressive out there, but his semi-melodic hollering is weirdly expressive while belting out his (deeply philosophical) tales of drinking, fighting, touring, women, fighting while drunk, drunk women, and rock and roll being shitty nowadays. However, the most marked improvement is in Jim’s guitar ability. While his performance on the EP was adequate but somewhat scratchy, his lead playing in particular has achieved a messy exuberance that perfectly matches the partying mood of the music. The rhythm section of Gian and Chris sounds even tighter than ever—bonding over their injuries, perhaps?—and Chris remains one of the finest Mitch Mitchell disciples I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Much of How Do You Like The Sound Of That? draws its strength from the grooves these two construct. Booming mid-tempo rockers “Rambler,” “Man on the Road” and the title track wouldn’t be nearly as effective sans their flowing rhythmic pocket, and “Through and Through” and the re-recorded “She Drank That Wine” see the two bang out picture-perfect blues dirges that highlight the drama of Jim’s raucous soloing. Chris also contributes a short drum solo entitled “S.A.B.O.” that honestly could have stood to be part of a larger song, but is impressive nonetheless.

So my guess is this band is going to spend their career rocking bars and back-alley gigs full of classic rock enthusiasts, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want it any other way. Needless to say, if you were a fan of the last Amplified Heat EP then you’ll love this, and if you’re as much of a sap for this shit as I am then it definitely deserves a look. If you’ve got no interest in anyone in my conveniently-placed name drop segment, you might as well pass this one over. Amplified Heat are pure fan service—the only question is whether you’re a fan or not.


link: http://www.metalreview.com/3976/Amplified-Heat-How-Do-You-Like-The-Sound-Of-That.aspx - Doug Moore

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat (self titled)

So here we have a re-issued and expanded EP by an Austin, Texas outfit by the name of Amplified Heat. This band, comprised of three brothers by the name of Ortiz, at first struck me as a caricature of late 60s/early 70s-era hard rock; the band’s website depicts them as a bunch of oversized-personality rockers who keep busier wrecking shit live than writing or recording good music. A few listens to this disc puts a lie to the persona though. This is a well-crafted and furiously performed example of raucous, overdriven throwback blues-rock that’ll rattle the blown out speakers of every stoner rock fan who can find a copy.

Stoner rock as a term though doesn’t quite accurately describe Amplified Heat’s sound. Where that term usually brings to mind the eMetal Reviewschoey effects and crushing distortion employed by Monster Magnet, Kyuss and the like, this band projects a far more classic rock-obsessed sense of drunken spontaneity. Their sound draws fairly evenly from Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, early-period Black Sabbath and maybe a dash of ZZ Top, mashing them all together into a gritty vintage paste and then compressing the salty riffage with a punk sense of urgency. High velocity numbers like “Heart Attack,” “Bi-Polar” and “Contrabandista” whip past almost before you notice how catchy they are, and slower tracks like “I Don’t Care” and lengthy closer “Dead Man Walkin’” allow the musicians to exercise a little (very little (teensy-weensy)) bit of restraint. All three of the Ortiz boys are very respectable musicians. Jim Ortiz’s low gain guitar work is somewhat clichéd but is energetic enough to suit the wild tunes, and he sings in a throaty pseudo-melodic howl that calls to mind a slightly more musical Scott Hill, of Fu Manchu fame. Gian Ortiz provides a rock solid arsenal of bass grooves, but the star of the rhythm section (and the band) is drummer Chris. It is his riotous, fill-intensive skinsmanship that lends Amplified Heat their ecstatic energy, and his joint channeling of Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Bill Ward (Sabbath) is both a technical marvel and wildly enjoyable to hear.

This is quite an impressive little disc—though not quite a gem—and if these guys stick to their guns and keep recording instead of burning out, they could potentially be one of the best classic rock throwback bands around. Recommended listening for stoners, drunken brawlers, and anyone who’s seeking some derivative but fun rock music.


link:http://www.metalreview.com/3482/Amplified-Heat-Self-Titled.aspx - Doug Moore

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat 'In For Sin'

Break out the Jim Beam, and put away the crystal – the Ortiz brothers are gonna destroy everything. Toting the savviest name change Red River's ever seen, Amplified Heat is dying to blow your speakers. With their debut on local imprint Arclight, In for Sin, Jim, Chris, and Gian are out of the Honky and Dixie Witch shadows. Jim and Gian more than likely tossed their volume knobs years ago, and Chris beats the hell out of the kit just to garner their attention and yours. Despite a bit of wank streaming from Jim's SG, In for Sin simulates the Red River live experience on disc: hair whipping around like a tornado, Converses on stained carpet, "Can we get more Lone Stars up here?" The opening title track forays into classic Southern stomp, chauvinism included ("She gonna cook me some dinner, when my workday is done, and when I'm in the mood for some love, she gonna give me some"). Aside from the "perfect woman," IfS focuses on the important things in life: cars, drugs, drink, and money. This is rock & roll, after all. "Roadrunner" screams past at 120 mph, with "Wagon Wheel" rolling in right behind toting Motörhead and Nashville Pussy. With their blues roots showing ("Just a Junkie," "The Gunny"), mixed in with a devotion to classic rock ("Fever," "Reflections"), Amplified Heat is a swirling vortex of blood, spit, and history. Those volume knobs are hardly missed.


link: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid:236015 - Darcie Stevens

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat (self titled)

Texas bad ass guitar jams haven’t sounded this good in quite some time as power trio Amplified Heat prove on their self titled debut EP. The band consists of three brothers no less, Jim (guitar / vocals), Gian (bass) and Chris (drums) Otriz and they certainly don't waste any time or make any bones about what they’re here for as the sonic overdrive of the opening number “Heart Attack” immediately erases any doubts as to whether or not these hombres can deliver the goods. Tracks “Bi-Polar”, “Mornings Warning” and “Contrabandista” hurtle along like a racehorse hopped up on bennies and you’ve got no choice but to just hang on for the ride of your life. This is raw, dirty, white line fever jams of the most righteous kind and proof that mixing the MC5 with the blues is not only extremely appreciated, it’s down right combustible.


link: http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=5187 - Ryan Sparks

Amplified Heat perfectly melds energetic punk and fuzzy stoner rock for a sound that is white hot. Both of these genres are at their roots about being good ol' rock and roll, pure and simple, and Amplified Heat's groove-laden sound has all the goods to appeal to punk rockers as well as stonerheads. Thumping grooves, catchy guitar riffs and unbridled attitude fuse into punch-packing rock music.

link: http://www.corazine.com/index.php?id=686 - Upchuck Undergrind

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat (self titled)

ZZ Top meets punk rock best describes the trio of brothers that comprise Amplified Heat. Emblazoned with desert rock swagger carrying songs like "She Drank That Wine" and "I Don't Care" from the clutches of the blues and dirtying them with the pretenses of the most notorious rock around, the Tex-Mex shuffle meets West Coast punk sound portrayed here touches a vast spectrum. Hell, who doesn't like at least one Skynyrd song? Amplified Heat seems best at hemming and hawing with their metal voice in full effect in a dusty bar in Austin, TX, as they plot in joining Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, and Ted Nugent at the head and twisting through a Cream-like jam, lighting the stage on fire from the electric rock 'n roll experience. This masterfully recorded eponymous seven-track offering truly captures the band's bluesy essence and hard rock soul, giving this disc the vintage sound to match the band's heavy acid-hippie rock explosive momentum. - Mike SOS

CD Reviews: Amplified Heat 'In For Sin'

If Lemmy had done a collaboration with Stevie Ray Vaughn, I'd bet it would sound very, very similiar to Amplified Heat's debut album. Scorching blues riffs combined with pounding metal bass lines, double bass and steel drumming, all wrapped up in a loud and tight package.

An enjoyable cross-genre trip, In For Sin has enough heaviness and speed to appeal to the metal crowd and enough reverence to the blues to appeal to the more traditional blues fans. Songs like "Reflections,"Drivin'" and "Trapped" show the bands love for traditional blues arrangements coupled with wicked drumming and a fantastic wailing blues guitar while "Roadrunner," "Fever" and "The Gunny" put the pedal to the metal while still holding true to the blues roots of this band.

A fairly original sound combines with talented instrumentalization and above-average songwriting to produce a very solid debut album.

link: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/04/04/164626.php - Jim Schwab