Amy Lynn & The Gunshow

"The humor and elegance of Ray Charles, with the rawness of Janis Joplin."

Intrigued yet? Let's keep this going....

You know how a typical rock band setup is somewhere around the figure of five people? Singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer and either 2nd guitarist or some extraneous instrument, possibly keys? The Gunshow has a cohesive group of 10 members. Destroying the average arrangement, just the fact that there are two saxes and a trumpet as regular players in the band gives reason for pause. This crew is not afraid to be different and be loud!

Furthermore, when I say loud, I don't just mean "If we play a couple of notes loudly, we'll be good." Thanks to Mr. Hamlin's arranging skill, there isn't a plain rhythm to be heard when these guys play. There are intricate and complementary orchestrations at work behind Amy Lynn's powerful and versatile voice. One moment she can belt out notes to the power level of Aretha Franklin and the next, one can hear just the slightest peaking out of a steady but more delicate twang that turns heads because it sounds like, for a single moment, the late Amy Winehouse had to have jumped in the mix. Top it all off with lyrics that resonate a touch of sass reminiscent of the 70s black pop era, while the roar from part of what could be any big band's horn section blasts out laser focused tones, and ladies and gentlemen, this Gunshow does not play it safe.

What's so interesting to take note of, is that although none of the current trends, from a dubstep remix to booming guitar reverb, are nearby, the Gunshow do still manage to channel some traces of the ever-trendy and current Adele. Don't be mislead through: this band is not about simply jumping on the old school gravy train. When I asked Amy Lynn and Alex about what the band's objectives are when it comes to influences and their non-mainstream music, it was definitely about 'innovating and not just imitating.'

To start you off though, listen to their newest single, "Clearly It's Me." In my own opinion, this song is vibrant, unapologetic and perfectly smooth in its delivery. Each person in this group has great chemistry with the others. (And you know you've got a good engineer when the backup singers are right there with the lead!)
- See more at: http://nice-dice.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-play-with-guns-unless-amy-lynn.html#sthash.8JXqFiy8.dpuf - Throw the Dice and Play Nice

"The humor and elegance of Ray Charles, with the rawness of Janis Joplin."

Intrigued yet? Let's keep this going....

You know how a typical rock band setup is somewhere around the figure of five people? Singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer and either 2nd guitarist or some extraneous instrument, possibly keys? The Gunshow has a cohesive group of 10 members. Destroying the average arrangement, just the fact that there are two saxes and a trumpet as regular players in the band gives reason for pause. This crew is not afraid to be different and be loud!

Furthermore, when I say loud, I don't just mean "If we play a couple of notes loudly, we'll be good." Thanks to Mr. Hamlin's arranging skill, there isn't a plain rhythm to be heard when these guys play. There are intricate and complementary orchestrations at work behind Amy Lynn's powerful and versatile voice. One moment she can belt out notes to the power level of Aretha Franklin and the next, one can hear just the slightest peaking out of a steady but more delicate twang that turns heads because it sounds like, for a single moment, the late Amy Winehouse had to have jumped in the mix. Top it all off with lyrics that resonate a touch of sass reminiscent of the 70s black pop era, while the roar from part of what could be any big band's horn section blasts out laser focused tones, and ladies and gentlemen, this Gunshow does not play it safe.

What's so interesting to take note of, is that although none of the current trends, from a dubstep remix to booming guitar reverb, are nearby, the Gunshow do still manage to channel some traces of the ever-trendy and current Adele. Don't be mislead through: this band is not about simply jumping on the old school gravy train. When I asked Amy Lynn and Alex about what the band's objectives are when it comes to influences and their non-mainstream music, it was definitely about 'innovating and not just imitating.'

To start you off though, listen to their newest single, "Clearly It's Me." In my own opinion, this song is vibrant, unapologetic and perfectly smooth in its delivery. Each person in this group has great chemistry with the others. (And you know you've got a good engineer when the backup singers are right there with the lead!)
- See more at: http://nice-dice.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-play-with-guns-unless-amy-lynn.html#sthash.8JXqFiy8.dpuf - Throw the Dice and Play Nice

At the other end of the spectrum was the Big Apple’s Amy Lynn and the Gunshow’s delightfully cool cabaret at the Little Theater. The material was extra fun with a wry twist, and the bari sax’s odd, clickity-clackity rhythmic mouthpiece attack was different and tres cool. The music came off like a less-abrasive Bette. They weren’t show tunes, but they could’ve been. Lynn's voice was beautiful, sassy, and sexy, and the horn-centric Gun Show was tight, alright, and outtasite.

So there you have it, another Jazz Fest down. I think we’ve reached cruising altitude with this one and don’t think they should make it any bigger. Logistically it’s already quite a sprawling affair. I would like to see more local bands plugged in to the mix and perhaps more free show stages — that seems to bring out the masses and really stir the social pot. And of course, I’m still holding out for Tom Waits. But for now it’s no jazz for me for a coupla days...right now it’s chocolate milk and my wife and my cats and Motorhead in my headphones. G’night. - Rochester City Newspaper

At the other end of the spectrum was the Big Apple’s Amy Lynn and the Gunshow’s delightfully cool cabaret at the Little Theater. The material was extra fun with a wry twist, and the bari sax’s odd, clickity-clackity rhythmic mouthpiece attack was different and tres cool. The music came off like a less-abrasive Bette. They weren’t show tunes, but they could’ve been. Lynn's voice was beautiful, sassy, and sexy, and the horn-centric Gun Show was tight, alright, and outtasite.

So there you have it, another Jazz Fest down. I think we’ve reached cruising altitude with this one and don’t think they should make it any bigger. Logistically it’s already quite a sprawling affair. I would like to see more local bands plugged in to the mix and perhaps more free show stages — that seems to bring out the masses and really stir the social pot. And of course, I’m still holding out for Tom Waits. But for now it’s no jazz for me for a coupla days...right now it’s chocolate milk and my wife and my cats and Motorhead in my headphones. G’night. - Rochester City Newspaper

Amy Lynn and the Gunshow’s April 23rd show at Kenny’s Castaways marked the group’s first return to the venue since their performance debut three years ago; for this special occasion they lavished their revved up crowd of fans, family, and friends with a stellar 90 minute set. A polyrhythmic three-part horn build-up started things out, gaining volume steadily as the crowd hooted and hollered in anticipation. When she was good and ready, Amy Lynn sauntered onstage, and within seconds of the groovy mid-tempo opener “Clearly it’s Me,” was drawing laughs with her comedically theatrical delivery. After the initial fun and games, she fully unleashed that jaw-dropping voice of hers, a sassy—and sometimes spine-tingling—instrument that had the room up in arms all the way through a funknasty reprise.

In addition to playing about eight doo-wop, rock & roll and blues style originals off their two EPS, the Gunshow also pulled out a couple choice covers, including Burt Bacharach’s “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.” But their selection of Adele’s latest single “Rolling in the Deep,” was their biggest triumph. Powered by Adele’s explosive chorus, it’s a fire-and-brimstone number to begin with; but belting is undoubtedly Amy Lynn’s forte, and her physical performance had all the blistering intensity that Adele’s leaves untapped.

Something should be said about the band’s overall kineticism: the horns just don’t keep still, and Amy Lynn’s two backup singers performed their purposely campy girl-group moves with such integrity that smiling was unavoidable. Likewise, whether performing the exuberant “To Say I Do” (wherein Amy Lynn and bari sax player/co-founder Alex beamingly announced their engagement) or the dryly grim “I Believe it to My Soul”, the Gunshow delivered the entire set with a joy so infectious even Scrooge himself would’ve left with a pep in his step.

- Joy Hanson

Amy Lynn and the Gunshow’s April 23rd show at Kenny’s Castaways marked the group’s first return to the venue since their performance debut three years ago; for this special occasion they lavished their revved up crowd of fans, family, and friends with a stellar 90 minute set. A polyrhythmic three-part horn build-up started things out, gaining volume steadily as the crowd hooted and hollered in anticipation. When she was good and ready, Amy Lynn sauntered onstage, and within seconds of the groovy mid-tempo opener “Clearly it’s Me,” was drawing laughs with her comedically theatrical delivery. After the initial fun and games, she fully unleashed that jaw-dropping voice of hers, a sassy—and sometimes spine-tingling—instrument that had the room up in arms all the way through a funknasty reprise.

In addition to playing about eight doo-wop, rock & roll and blues style originals off their two EPS, the Gunshow also pulled out a couple choice covers, including Burt Bacharach’s “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.” But their selection of Adele’s latest single “Rolling in the Deep,” was their biggest triumph. Powered by Adele’s explosive chorus, it’s a fire-and-brimstone number to begin with; but belting is undoubtedly Amy Lynn’s forte, and her physical performance had all the blistering intensity that Adele’s leaves untapped.

Something should be said about the band’s overall kineticism: the horns just don’t keep still, and Amy Lynn’s two backup singers performed their purposely campy girl-group moves with such integrity that smiling was unavoidable. Likewise, whether performing the exuberant “To Say I Do” (wherein Amy Lynn and bari sax player/co-founder Alex beamingly announced their engagement) or the dryly grim “I Believe it to My Soul”, the Gunshow delivered the entire set with a joy so infectious even Scrooge himself would’ve left with a pep in his step.

- Joy Hanson

Amy Lynn & The Gunshow's Don't Trip On the Glitter, premiering exclusively at USA TODAY, is the group's debut album (out April 29). Amy Lynn Zanetto says she doesn't want to be locked into a particular genre.

"I don't want to fit (or) live in a certain category. Our goal is to just make music that people can relate to and feel good about," she says.

Zanetto is married to baritone saxophone player and co-leader Alex Hamlin, who has been playing with these musicians since they went to college at the Eastman School of Music. Despite the number of members, they're a cohesive group, Zanetto says.

"I don't necessarily think that it's challenging (to be part of a large band) because they've known each other for so long," she says. "You can just tell that these people know each other and respect one another."

Zanetto adds that she loves performing live for the inevitable surprises that occur. "It's about the music but it's also about the shenanigans." - USA TODAY by David Oliver

Mix up some gimlets and light up an unfiltered Lucky Strike, ‘cause it’s time for the all-out vintage sounds of Amy Lynn and the Gunshow.
Entirely eschewing modern influences in favor of honoring the Motown and gospel greats that came before her, Amy Lynn Zanetto and her nine-piece-and-sometimes-more band create music for another era, but do it with panache and expertise.

Chock-full of the sort of music Diana Ross perfected and many, many others have imitated, the group’s self-titled, four-song EP is an unexpected hit of ‘60s sass, the perfect mix of gunpowder and girlishness to at once honor Ross and one-up her.

From the time the first saxophone bleats to the moment the last cymbal chimes, Zanetto’s powerhouse voice – a clichéd way to express it, sure, but completely apropos here, as this gal is sure to empower anybody who comes within 10 feet of a stereo blasting her tunes – takes over. Her gospel is good, her soul stylings great, a take on the classics far and away better than those of the schlubs on American Idol (and thankfully, there’s no “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” here).

What is here is a tiny glimpse at the wealth of talent Zanetto and her band have. Whether channeling Ross in “Missing You” or trading her Supremes-like backup singers for a solo escapade à la Ella Fitzgerald in the fabulous and sexy “Comfort,” those pipes mixed with the expert composition courtesy of writing partner make four songs just not sufficient.
Zanetto’s singing chops – she’s performed with the USO Troupe, made like Rizzo in the musical version of Grease, and entertained thousands of badly dressed tourists in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular – bode well for the success of a full-length album.

Listening to Zanetto, backed by her shot-through-the-heart-and-lived-through-it good Gunshow, it’s impossible not to smile, or at least look at things through rosy-tinged glasses. It might be unclear whether she’s singing dazedly to a boyfriend or to another long-haired dude (you know, Jesus), but it’s obvious that every word is sung with a smile.

It’s easy to overlook what’s behind the peppy words and gorgeous voice, but don’t. Led by arranger and co-writer Alex Hamlin, who also takes a place behind the sax, the nine members of the Gunshow include another sax, a trumpet, drums, and keyboards, plus the three “black-up” singers. Though it’s a big number, especially when even more session players join in, they’re all indispensable to the sound of this disc.

Like Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra before them, Amy Lynn & the Gunshow worship the days of Mad Men and all the glamour they entailed. She might not keep up on the Kardashians or give a damn what “Speidi” is, but Zanetto’s got the musical sophistication to leave all that in the dust, anyway. - CWG Newsletter/Heather Wysocki