It’s tempting to say that Ampline defy expectations for indie rock, but it’s more accurate that their bombastic music simply doesn’t give the listener time to think about categorization or genre. On their punchy new single “Shrunken Heads,” the Cincinnati punks seem hell-bent on mainlining inscrutable lyrics, good vibes, and heavy beats (pretty much what they’ve been doing for the past 17 years).
Clocking in at just under a minute, the meaty jam that doesn’t last nearly long enough, but somehow it finds the time to include a historical epic. According to guitarist Mike Montgomery, the track centers around a “fictional 15th century sea voyage, loosely based on the exploits of Magellan who was forced to leave his country and explore the unknown under a foreign flag. In our story, which parallels his, our captain encounters new peoples, sights terrifying creatures, finds God and loses his humanity.”
The band tapped Cleveland artist Jason Look for the visuals, who expanded on the group’s vision with a chaotic, retro romp through ‘90s animation that mirrors the adventurous nature of the track. The eccentric video is fitting considering that “Shrunken Heads” is one of the most boisterous cuts from the trio’s recent LP Passion Relapse. Despite its brevity, the song deftly captures the band’s love of massive chords which often take on a life of their own and charge into the expanse without heed for song structure or pop sensibilities.
Watch/listen above.
Ampline will perform on Thur., Aug. 9 at Athens Popfest at the Georgia Theatre. Also performing are Guided By Voices, David Barbe (on the rooftop), Antlered Aunt Lord, BUXTON, The Love Language (on the rooftop), and Moon Racer (on the rooftop). Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $24 or free with 4-day pass. 18+ to enter.
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Web: ampline.net
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Twitter: @ampline