The American People (TAP, The AmPeeps) is a four-piece band from NW PA & SW NY launched in early 2008. While writing primarily in a popfolk/alt.country vein, TAP tries to let the nature of each song idea dictate its own musical direction, resulting in an unusually eclectic mix of styles, all tied together by infectious melodies, thoughtful lyrics and exceptional musicianship.
Reese Campbell (Keyboards, Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals)
was co-founder of The New Dylans. Along with songwriting partner Jim Reilley, Reese roped in friends John Lombardo and Jerome Augustyniak from 10,000 Maniacs to record The New Dylans' 6 song eponymous debut Ep in 1986. To their astonishment, the disc received high praise from Village Voice critic Robert Christgau, who placed it in the top 5 of the Voice's famed year-end "Pazz and Jop" poll, and R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, who called it one of his fave discs of the year in "Rock Express." MTV also featured reviews of the Ep on their shows "120 Minutes" and "The Cutting Edge." Though initially unprepared for such a successful reception and without a permanent backing band, the stunned pair eventually regained their footing, inking a deal in the early ‘90s with Minneapolis-based Red House Records, which released two albums, “Warren Piece” and “The American Way.” During this time TND barnstormed the country, sharing stages with The Band, Townes Van Zandt, Shawn Colvin, The Fleshtones, Superdrag, Syd Straw, The Silos, Steve Forbert and old pals 10,000 Maniacs. Both Red House albums earned glowing reviews from such respected publications as Rolling Stone, Musician, Pulse, Spin, Stereo Review, Mojo and Dirty Linen. Big-time radio also took up their cause with feature performances on "World Café" with David Dye, "Acoustic Cafe," “Idiot's Delight” with Vin Scelsa, and NPR's "All Things Considered." The New Dylans also made a handful of appearances on ex-Partridge Family imp Danny Bonaduce's morning zoo on WLUP in Chicago, where on one occasion he joined in on bass for a spirited live-in-studio version of "Smoke On The Water" -- a ludicrously classic rock’n’roll moment.
Paul Liuzzo (Electric Guitars, Vocals),
with his brother, Mark, Mike Young and John Lombardo, was a guitarist & founding member of 10,000 Maniacs precursor The Mills in early-80's Jamestown, NY. He later evolved into one the Southern Tier's premier bassists, playing alongside Chautauqua County Music Hall o' Famers Bill Ward & Stan Barton among countless others.
Paul has returned to his 6-string roots to lend his inventive licks and impeccable rhythms to The American People.
John McGuire (Drums)
and
Dan Warmbrodt (Bass, Vocals)
have been synching up for so long that they are occasionally confused with Chang & Eng. They are not in fact conjoined, but have earned a stellar reputation as one of the region's tightest rhythm sections. They teamed with Reese in the mid-90's hippie blues-pop project, Djava, and have been his favorite go-to-guys ever since. (McGuire was also a New Dylan -- until he got tired of losing money & wised up...) More recently the duo has anchored bluegrass-jamsters Big Leg Emma, and TAP is currently sharing John's talents with the fine singer-songwriter Matt Maloof & his Contraband.
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