20 Amp

There are many factors that contribute to the success of an artist in today’s music industry. Talent, image, creativity, songwriting, the ability to handle your alcohol… All of them are necessary, but none of them mean much without the one, most important ingredient. Determination. 20 Amp is an Alternative/ Indie band from the suburbs outside Toronto, Ontario. It’s no stretch to say that they’ve got what it takes. When asked what they’d see themselves doing if music didn’t work out for them, their outstandingly bearded bass player Dave Hughes replied, “We don’t want to think about that. We have day jobs to help us pursue our goals and dreams, not to mention in order to survive. So every morning we wake up, we try harder and harder to make the goal of being full time.” Fueled by encouraging successes such as radio play, their videos being aired on MuchMusic, and opening for bands like Hollerado, USS, Walk Off the Earth, July Talk, and Monster Truck, their grit and persistence keep them focused. Their first release came in the form of an EP titled, “The Others.” The collection was recorded and produced by former Our Lady Peace guitarist, Mike Turner. The single, “Lights Go Out” was awarded a grant from MuchFACT, which resulted in a stellar music video shot at Durham College in the neighboring city Oshawa, Ontario. The song was also featured on MTV Drops, and quarterbacked their selection as 102.1 The Edge’s ‘Indie Online Band of the Month’ following the release. Their second Ep “Outside the Marketplace” has certainly kept the momentum going. The EP features their current single, “Down But Not Out” which also yielded a video funded by the coveted MuchFACT grant, to be debuted in July, 2013. Now the lads have been recording and released the single 'Last light at Salem' on January 1st 2016 (first song released in 2016) and preparing to release their next single 'Knights and Queens'. All of these successes and accolades are encouraging, and the future looks bright for 20 Amp . Believe it or not, it’s hard to make it in the music business! There’s still a long road ahead for the band, and they’re all geared up and ready for the ride. They have a fantastic work ethic, unwavering hustle, kick-ass music to play, and most importantly, they have steadfast, unfaltering, all-important, determination. As Dave so aptly put it, “…we're not going anywhere!” Blending rock, pop, and other sundry styles 20 Amp have a strong enthusiasm, a commercial look, a crossover sound and a loyal following.