This is really exciting! My Dan is on tour right now with his band After Midnight Project. And just had an article published on just him in the Troy Times, where he grew up in Troy, MI. Anyways, you just have to check out the article! It's super exciting!
Anyways, here's the article:
http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2009/7-1-09/Danny-Morris-AMP.asp
Troy native gets ‘Warped’
Athens grad tours nationally with the band AMP, plays Comerica Park
By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer
TROY — Danny Morris, Troy Athens High School Class of ’96 graduate and drummer for After Midnight Project, first picked up his drumsticks when he was 10 years old.
His mother, Stephanie Morris, said that their neighbors were very understanding about the up to four hours of rock and roll drumbeats vibrating from their home when Danny was growing up.
“He always loved music,” Stephanie said. “He took piano lessons for four years and then took up the drums in fifth-grade. That’s when he fell in love with drumming, she said. “His dad (Dan) was a drummer and they loved time together, but Danny passed up his dad. … We were just so amazed at this talent.”
After Midnight Project , or AMP, is hot.
They completed a 15-week U.S. tour in February and will perform at Comerica Park July 31 as part of the 35-date Warped Tour.
The band recently released a single titled “Take Me Home,” which Morris said is the most added song on alternative radio for the second week in a row.
Their album, released by Universal Motown Records, titled “Let’s Build Something to Break,” will be available Aug. 11.
AMP, an alternative rock band, formed in 2004.
Morris’ musical influences include Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana and Muse.
His said his teachers in Troy, Larson Middle School band teacher Larry Jansen, Athens teacher Fred Junod and music teacher Mark Petty, along with parents — especially his father — also influenced his strong love of music.
It was Morris’ wife, Shay, who had that idea that he should pursue a career in music.
He was attending college in Utah, majoring in international business and minoring in Italian.
“She said, ‘You talk about music and drumming and come alive. You should pursue it.’”
So he did.
Morris attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, then headed to Los Angeles to audition to be a drummer with AMP.
“We were concerned that a music career would be a really difficult road, seeing how there are more starving artists than super stars,” Stephanie said. “But we have never discouraged him, because we have recognized his talent as a gift, and he has always had so much drive and determination, we couldn’t see him failing.”
The band travels in a 40-foot RV provided by HK Army and pulls a trailer filled with equipment to get from gig to gig. And it’s not always easy.
Jasen Evigan, lead vocalist for the band, describes life on the road as a cross between the movies “Almost Famous,” “Space Jam,” and Space Balls.”
They blew two tires in Phoenix on their way to play in Los Angeles. They changed the tires and made it on time.
And every couple of months, the band talks things out to clear the air.
“If there’s a problem, we adjust it then and there so it doesn’t turn into a fight,” Evigan said. To break the monotony, the band plays the video games “Photo Hunt” and “Bag.”
When the band pulls into town later this month, they will camp out at Morris’ parents’ home.
“My parents open their house to us and let us sleep there for free,” Morris said.
The band is looking forward to playing in Comerica Park.
“It’s awesome to play in a big venue like Comerica Park in a place you grew up in,” Morris said.
“We are his biggest fans,” Stephanie said. “He’s amazing.”
The band will be busy touring for the rest of the year, but may be reached by calling (310) 597-4033. They may be seen and heard online at www.myspace.com/aftermidnightproject and on Twitter at AMP-LA
