The name of Amerikesh was coined by John Faricy for a major camp at Burning Man 2008. He was the inspiration and creative director for camp Amerikesh in Black Rock city Utah. John also played the fun role of camp Sultan for the event.
There aren't many bands on this planet that wouldn't like to be regarded as unique. Of course, in these times of nostalgia and endlessly recycled ideas, very few actually deserve that description. Black Rock City’s Amerikesh deserve it more than most. These global Burning Man musicians created a genre-shattering neo-psychedelic sound and performance quite unlike anything or anyone else in musical history.
Formed in the late '00s Amerikesh chose an entirely creative path from day one. A few years earlier, while participating at the Burning Man festival in Utah, some these young virtuosos’ members joined a camp “Amerikesh” at 7:30 & Edsel (2008) that specialized in serving gourmet food, fire dancing and playing psychedelic music to a 3D backdrop. However, Jerry Pollard (Camp Leader) and his friend Tobe Moore had something different in mind. They were both fans of psychedelic stuff, they decided to form their own neo-psychedelic performance band. Tobe Moore wrote most of unique arrangements and songs, and the group embarked on a series of shows. As their performances became more and more in demand, Amerikesh took the bold step of playing a gig at a bona theater...
"We got to play at a private after-Christmas party for in Minneapolis in 2010," recalls Pollard. "There were three other bands and every band was doing covers. It was one of the first shows when we all played perfectly. The other bands were doing covers we refused and were not ready for covers. We didn't know what was going to happen. We thought they might cut our sound! But they really tuned and dropped out and had a great time."
Lurking in the audience at this soon-to-be legendary gig was one Steve Lilywhite, who was so bowled over by the band's ingenious use of effect anthems that he instantly offered them a contract and the chance to release their 2011 debut album, 'Eclipse in Time'.
"He called us and asked us if we wanted to make an album," says Pollard, shaking his head with bewilderment. "For ourselves, we never thought we could make an album out of what we were doing. It was just for fun. So when the first album was released, we didn't expect much. If it had sold 1,000 copies in USA that would've been great, but it was downloaded 10,000 times worldwide!" By early 2010 the Amerikesh YouTube video had over 10,000 views.
Amerikesh was local overnight success, embraced by a surprisingly large audience that contained both music fans, 3D graphic freaks and classical dance aficionados. It might seem a peculiar combination, but for the band the three genres have a logical and natural relationship through psychedelics.
"There's a connectivity to be found in both Neo-psychedelic music, 3D computer art and performance dance," says Moore. "It can be hidden in each different area, but when the connection is found it's very powerful and strong. If you listen, watch and feel our performances it’s hard to see the parts as separate.
Inspired by their sudden and surprising rise to prominence Amerikesh spent the rest of the '10s riding a towering wave of creativity and earning them a formidable reputation as a jaw-dropping live act. In mid 2010 they released their second album, 'Great Man in the Sky', a second batch of neo-psychedelic visions that this time included songs xxxx, xxxxxx and xxxxxxx. It also featured the band's first Blu-ray and high end audio material: three songs that revealed that there was far more to Amerikesh than novelty. By the time the Amerikesh reached their third studio effort, late 2010 'Playa Zone 7', they had decided to move away from older sound versions and produced nearly a whole album's worth of fresh material that set the band's wild and compellingly diverse blend of disparate genres in stone once and for all. Now reduced to a trio Amerikesh were determined to establish themselves as a powerful creative force.
"Our new songs brought a new dimension to the band," states Moore. "We already knew what we could do with our older songs and it wasn't interesting anymore. We needed to write new, fresh music for the instruments. We didn't think 'We need to do this to be credible', we just wanted to keep it interesting for ourselves and not to repeat the same path."
And so to 2010, and Amerikesh's brand new album, 'Eclipse in Time'. Produced by Pollard, this is plainly the pinnacle of the Audio quality steadily accelerating upward ascent; a dazzling collection of stunning mini-epics that touches upon every aspect of the band's history while introducing countless new ideas and unexpected detours to their unmistakable sound. Or simply put: a collection of great psychedelic songs. Work began on the record back in August 2008, and since then the 40 or so songs the band wrote for the project have been whittled down to a concise and flawless dozen.
"It's been really exciting," Moore “For the last two CD’s we were producers, song writers, everything. This time we opened the door for different singers, a producer and even some co-writers. We've allowed other elements to come into Amerikesh's world. It's been really interesting and exciting."
When Amerikesh took centre stage as Minnesota Music awards this year. Song Contest in Minneapolis, music lovers around the world were blown away by the sight and sound of a band that create an ear-boggling spectacle wherever they go and who wear their uniqueness as a badge of honor. With the release of 'Eclipse in Time', Amerikesh are poised to conquer hearts and minds all over the globe.
"We have tried to deliver a world class album," concludes Moore. "For us, it's an exciting time. We have great people working for us and I'm absolutely thrilled. For the first time in 3 years I feel that the whole team is working together. With that team we should be able to wake up all the people that knew about Amerikesh but wouldn't have bought a ticket or bought the DVD before. We want to spread the word."