The Art of Amputation are an alternative five-piece from London who combine soaring melodies with experimental sounds and big fuzzy guitars to create soundscapes they claim will “hold your hand in dark times.”
The band consists of Freddy de Lord (Keyboards, Vocals and Saxophone), Hugh Fox (Drums, Drum-Loops/Programming and Percussion), Allan Harrod (Vocals, Guitar and Keyboards), Mark Hyden (Guitars and Vocals) and newly added member Tim Harrod (Vocals and Percussion).
The Art of Amputation began when Hugh and Allan got together as a duo after the break up of a previous band. The pair started writing and rehearsing together as a simple keys/guitar and a drummer outfit. Together they wrote and recorded most of their first EP, though it soon became clear that they needed to find an additional guitarist to attain the sound they wanted. Mark was recruited and the trio began rehearsing and writing based on a shared appreciation of an eclectic range of artists like Weezer, Pixies, The Beatles and Bowie. Time in the studio triggered an influx of ideas and the band needed another member in order to realise them. Freddy joined in a formative period for The Art of Amputation. Each member’s individual styles began to compliment the others and the result was the creation of some impressive and polished tracks.
Allan’s keen ear for melody has been the main catalyst for the creation of each of the band’ compositions with other members working together until the song as a whole falls into place. The bands last writing tool is always the studio. They have big ideas and working with producer Steve Honest in Hackney Road Studios has ensured the creative process progresses seamlessly. Allan’s brother Tim recently completed the band’s line up, joining The Art of Amputation on vocals and percussion for their live shows.
Their new single ‘Distorted Pop Song’ is a stunning and intricately layered composition that channels the influences of The Flaming Lips and The Big Pink with its infectious, uplifting melody climaxing in a Spector-esque Wall of Sound.
LINKS:
http://soundcloud.com/the-art-of-amputation
http://www.facebook.com/TheArtOfAmputation
http://twitter.com/AmputationArt
GIGS:
17th October – Headline show at Camden Barfly
Reviews of The Art of Amputation’s Debut Eponymous EP:
“Recently, I’ve been quite uncritical of my musical finds, but rarely do I find something quite as magnificent as The Art of Amputation’s eponymous EP” –The Carmine Project
“There’s darkness here, but it’s darkness that whispers death rather than shrieks it” – SupaJam
The band are all about texture and mood, creating a setting that allows the listener to become fully immersed in the overall blending of sounds and emotions” – LP Project UK
“I wanted to grab all the credit for the sound of this record but the band came to the studio with a truck full of ideas and the tracks came together like alchemy.” – Steve Honest, Engineer/Producer
“Newcomers – The Art Of Amputation – release their debut eponymous EP this week. ‘Inside Our Glass House’ is the lead track from the extended play and offers orchestral synthscapes with an inherent pop sensibility” – Artrocker
