THE AMPLIFIER HEADS (FEATURING BARRENCE WHITFIELD) – “THEY CAME TO ROCK”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PREMIERE
The threat of an alien invasion never sounded so good.
This Friday, Sal Baglio’s vaunted rock and roll project The Amplifier Heads team up with soul dynamo vocalist Barrence Whitfield to unleash their pummeling new single “They Came To Rock” via Rum Bar Records, and Spill Magazine has the official premiere and exclusive first listen.
“They Came To Rock” is the title track to the soundtrack of Songs From They Came To Rock, Executive Producer Norty Cohen’s immersive rock opera about an alien invasion that first debuted in Nashville three years ago, with live music, Baglio’s songs, video projection, and live burlesque dancing aliens. It detailed a story about extraterrestrials coming to Earth β which they call The Vinyl Frontier β in search of the type of music heard through static and noise on their radio.
Ready to rock out, the aliens have now landed close to home, as the pair of longtime Boston music scene veterans β known for work that spans decades: Baglio first in rock scene pioneers The Stompers; Whitfield dominating stages across New England fronting Barrence Whitfield & The Savages β come together for a fiery and attention-grabbing single that sets a loud tone for the 10-song, eight interlude soundtrack.
“The term rock opera has come to mean different things to anyone’s interpretation,” Baglio says. “There is a lyrical and musical line that follows through the record. Some fantasy, some fact. It is a musical speed rocket trip and the seat belt sign is off!”
“They Came To Rock” is the third single from the forthcoming record, following last fall’s Jen D’Angora-led Something Went Down β about the most famous UFO event in England’s history, taking places at Rendlesham Forest on Christmas 1980 β and 2022’s “Space Cadette,” which received heavy airplay and attention on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM, about Betty and Barney Hill’s 1961 encounter of a UFO on a deserted highway in New Hampshire.
Written and produced by Baglio, who also performs guitar, mellotron, glockenspiel, and backing vocals, “They Came To Rock” also features Samantha Goddess on vocals; Brad Hallen on bass; Kevin Rapillo on drums and percussion; Tom West on piano; Henley Douglas Jr. on baritone sax; and David Bryce on theremin. But it’s Whitfield who helps take it across the galaxy and back again, hurling through his vocals like a man possessed.
ARTIST QUOTE
“They Came To Rock is a soundtrack record and I felt that it should have different voices besides my own for various tracks. Barrence Whitfield was the only artist I thought of for singing the title track. Barrence is a brilliant instinctual artist and his interpretation of the song kicked it up and out of this stratosphere.” ~Sal Baglio
CREDITS
Words and music by Salvatore Baglio
Recorded & Mixed by Warren Babson at Bang-A-Song Studios in Gloucester, MA
Mastered by Jonathan Wyner at M-Works Mastering Studios in Somerville, MA
Produced by Sal Baglio
Norty Cohen: Executive Producer
Amplifier Heads
[Single]
(Rum Bar Records)
Release Date: March 1, 2024
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: WUT – “BEUYS OH BEUYS”
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SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: FRANK VIELE – “LO-FI GOODBYE”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: ALREADY DEAD – “THE SPIRIT OF MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE”
