The Innocent Bystanders

Amherst Records recording artist “The Innocent Bystanders” have released their self titled debut album to outstanding and overwhelming responses in many media and internet outlets. The Innocent Bystanders are a rock-n-roll band from Buffalo, New York. They are best known for catchy yet driving songs that find influences in both classic and contemporary music. Their first radio and video single is the song “Under Wraps”.
The group has a unique sound, and a radio friendly appeal that listeners of all ages and types will love. A critical aspect of their appeal is the band’s ability to express a sound that defies genre and makes listeners feel good.
The group’s songwriting abilities reflect contemporary songsmith’s like Ben Folds, and The Barenaked Ladies, while their sophisticated arrangements harkens back to the glory days of Warren Zevon, and The Band. Melody and harmony are important elements in the make up of “The Innocent Bystanders” original and individual sound.
The band is made up of singer-songwriter Kevin Sampson (piano, guitar, vocals), guitarist Brandon Adler, and the tight rhythm section of Chris Nanula (Bass), and Scott Bernard (Drums and Percussion).
The four band mates who today make-up “The Innocent Bystanders” found a common bond while students at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, a Catholic boys' high school in Buffalo. Sampson, Bernard and Nanula recorded and performed together in a previous classic-rock style band, Rock Masi, circa 2002-2005. That group disbanded in mid-2005, not long after which Sampson re-united with Scott and Chris, who would form the rhythm section of the new band. The group, which also would include Adler on guitar and keyboards, compiled a catalog of new songs and began playing-out at shows in Buffalo and the surrounding area. Their schedule included stops anywhere from a go-cart track to Buffalo landmark, and the Showplace Theatre.
After working through 2006 to record a self-produced demo, their work found its way into the hands of Lenny Silver, owner of local record label Amherst Records and area record store chain Record Theatre. Amherst Records and the band reached an agreement in June 2007 and were signed to the label that month. This cleared the way for work to begin on their professional debut album, and recording started immediately at Buffalo's Audio Magic Studios. The eponymous, full length recording has been released to the public as of October 2007. The record was produced by Nomadik, of the hip-hop duo Boss Playa$.
In the meantime, through the support of the record label, the band's first single, “Under Wraps”, was released to radio in July 2007, and has received steady airplay on Buffalo area station, Z101.1 FM, based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Various other top 40 stations across the country have added the single, and many more are hearing the “buzz”. The single is also available for purchase for $.99 at the iTunes Store, though searches for "The Innocent Bystanders" or "Under Wraps." The group has also filmed a video for the single which can be seen on You Tube.
Amherst Records is now supporting this release with strong marketing, and national radio, print, and internet promotion. Keep an eye and ear out for the “The Innocent Bystanders” as their popularity grows, and their music reaches the public. “The Innocent Bystanders are poised for big things, and with Amherst Records, and the support of the group’s fans, they are ready to achieve these goals.