Biography

The Amplifires history starts in late 2005 when David Brunt bought a guitar case from Steve Rawlinson via Ebay and, after realising that Steve was just a couple of miles away, went to collect it. Steve was looking to form another band as was David so with shared musical interests - two pieces of the jigsaw in place!Meanwhile Steve already knew Sharon and her musical background. An opportunity had arisen earlier to play guitar in Sharon's presence and memorably the sound of Blondie's 'Call Me' guitar riff was quickly accompanied by Sharon's voice. Another piece of the jigsaw in place.

3 drummers – Ted, Ruth and Kim -, hundreds of gigs, and a tour of 3 states of America later, and the Amplifires have recently been completed by the arrival of Sandy Mitchell, who is just as excited by original music and a desire to play. The Amplifires’ first album, Fire On The Moon, was released in 2008 and it received major airplay across the world, featuring as CD of the week in such cities as New York, Adelaide, Ottowa and Hamburg, The band remain proud of this achievement.

This was followed 18 months later with the release of the album S.W.A.L.K and three other single releases.

In September 2009 the band completed a 15 date tour in the NW USA in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, culminating in a great gig in Potsdam.

Kim Chester joined us on the drums shortly after our return from the USA, replacing Ruth Dobson, and we continued to gig locally and extend our own repertoire. Kim left us due to work commitments in summer 2013.

Sandy joined us as drummer late in 2013 and we're now looking forward to a great 2014. Sandy brings with him his experience of many years of playing in bands which will add a new dimension to what we do.

Our latest album, ‘Grace and Danger’/Life’s a Gamble??’, shortly to be released, is the culmination of new writing and new energy. We are excited by both the changes in direction and stylistic development and by our own unique and unchanging Amplifires sound and style.

Meanwhile, we continue to take over the world of social media, with 100,000 (and rising!) followers on Twitter, 900 plus on LinkedIn and over 800 on Facebook, as well as endorsements by a whole series of musical luminaries such as Pauline Black (The Selecter), Midge Ure (Ultravox), Gilson Lavis (ex-Squeeze), Gordon Giltrap, dEL bARTLE from the Godfathers, to name a few.