- The New Amsterdams
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The New Amsterdams Origin Lawrence, Kansas, United States Genres Acoustic rock
Indie rockYears active 2000–present Labels Elmar / Curb Appeal Records, Vagrant Records Associated acts The Get Up Kids Members Matthew Pryor
Dustin Kinsey
Eric McCann
Bill Belzer
Jason RichPast members Ed Rose
Rob Pope
Ryan PopeThe New Amsterdams is a Lawrence, Kansas-based American band featuring Matthew Pryor of The Get Up Kids.
Contents
History
The New Amsterdams began as a solo project to then-lead singer for The Get Up Kids, Matt Pryor. In 2000, he released his debut album Never You Mind, which was largely made up of acoustic tracks with sparse accompaniment. However, the album also featured Alex Brahl,Ed Rose, Jake Cardwell & Rob Pope providing extra instrument tracks.
Two years later in January 2002, Pryor released Para Toda Vida, this time sticking almost purely to acoustic guitar, with the exception of a few tracks utilizing harmonica and banjo as well. However, the next year the band went a step further in the release of Worse for the Wear, which utilized a full band for the first time, which at this time included Get Up Kids bandmates Ryan Pope and his brother Rob, as well as longtime friend and producer Ed Rose. The album was one of the earlier albums to be recorded at Black Lodge Studios, the recording studio renovated and co-owned by Ed Rose and the members of The Get Up Kids.
The band's next album, Killed or Cured was released in 2005. However, it was written during a turbulent time within The Get Up Kids leading up to the band's breakup. Because of this Vagrant Records, the label to which both the bands were signed, didn't want to release the album until The Get Up Kids finished their farewell tour in the summer of that year. For this reason, a portion of the album was released online for free via the New Amsterdams website. The album was released in its full version through retail channels on April 10, 2007.
In 2006, the band released the album Story Like a Scar with what is now the current lineup, including Bill Belzer on drums, Eric McCann on upright bass, and Dustin Kinsey on guitar.
In September 2007, the band released another album, At the Foot of My Rival on CD, Vinyl and Digital Download. However, after a long relationship with Vagrant Records, the band decided to release the album on Elmar, (named after Pryor's son Elliot Marshall) an offshoot of Curb Appeal Records, owned in part by former Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic.
In January 2008 the band released a collection of demos and b-sides, available exclusively through their website.
In May of the same year, they went on their first European tour, starting in Amsterdam. The band planned to go into a small hiatus after that due to Matt Pryor's involvement with the Get Up Kids. In a November 2011 interview with MidcoastStation.com, Pryor said he had plans to release a New Amsterdams compilation.
Discography
Albums
Year Title Record Label 2000 Never You Mind Vagrant Records 2002 Para Toda Vida Vagrant Records 2003 Worse for the Wear Vagrant Records 2005 Story Like a Scar Vagrant Records 2006 Killed or Cured Vagrant Records 2007 At the Foot of My Rival Curb Appeal Records EPs
Year Title Record Label 2007 The Companion of My Rival Curb Appeal Records 2008 Killed or Cured Appendix Self-released 2008 Demos Etc. 2003-2008 Self-released Non Album Tracks
- Thirty Three (From Helio Presents: The Smashing Pumpkins Tribute CD)
Music Videos
- "Turn Out The Light" (2006)
- "Fountain Of Youth" (2007)
Reviews
- AbsolutePunk.net review of Story Like a Scar
- PopMatters review of Never You Mind
- Pitchfork Media review of Para Toda Vida
External links
Categories:- American indie rock groups
- Musical groups from Kansas
- Kansas City metropolitan area
- Musical groups established in 2000
- The Get Up Kids
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