Chippenham’s Nineties Grunge Trio Ambergreen Reunite

Chippenham 1996, drummer and bassist brothers Greg and Dan Stoner met Andi Martin at college, and formed a hardcore grunge trio originally called Lucas. Quickly changing their name to Ambergreen, they signed to Canadian label Kautin Records, and Ambergreen’s debut single To Rise did exactly what it said on the tin, and rose to number 1 in the mp3.com indie chart. To celebrate their 30th anniversary they’re reuniting for some intimate shows….

Starting with The Pump in Trowbridge on Saturday 21st November, they will be with neo trip-hop group Bellyful, supporting exceptional shoegaze artist Kurt Alexander, as part of their tour with Berlin’s Yasha 96.

Kurt Alexander + Yasha 96 w/ Ambergreen + Bellyful

The second of these shows is at The Old Road Tavern in Chippenham on Saturday 28th November, where, with Bath’s alt-rock group Intrusive, they will be supporting the incredible Nashville-based indie-pop and alternative musician, Keanu Savas. Keanu is known for blending indie-folk and alternative rock elements. He previously fronted Roseview before launching a solo career. He describes his sound as “pop reject” and frequently compares his style to bands like 5 Seconds of Summer.

Taking influence from the likes of Deftones, Helmet, Kerbdog, Therapy? and Dinosaur Jr, Ambergreen’s hardcore grunge sound reverberated beyond their hometown. When drummer Greg messaged me I realised I had seen them, when they played Calnefest in 2013, albeit I was dressed up as the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Bear at the time!

Greg stressed, “these shows are going to be hard, loud and utterly awesome!”

I asked Greg why they split up. “We never really formally disbanded,” he replied, “more just had families, and went to university and stuff.”

Greg’s view on whether this is a comeback or just a reunion to celebrate those thirty years, went unanswered, so I guessed it was a case of waiting to see what these two shows bring. Of course, Dan and Greg are also members of the comical rock outfit The Real Cheesemakers, who predate Ambergreen by four years. “The real Cheesemakers already existed,” he explained, “but Dan did eventually join me and Ev, along with fellow Rewire the Time Machine member Rob Pellow…who is also joining Ambergreen for these anniversary shows.”

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