Amplified: Those Ghostfuckers

By Drew Roberts | Photo by Alisa Dubik

MEMBERS:

Benjamine Sapp: vocals, guitar; Leah Rizzo: vocals; Neil Hueber: drums; Sarah Trad: cello; Blake Propst: bass; Kay Vanderlyn: trumpet.

ACTIVE SINCE:

October 2009

SOUND:

Indie soul-folk plus a pinch of punk. Some songs, like "The Absent," oscillate between light-breezy and hard-heavy.

SOUNDS LIKE:

Modest Mouse with a straw hat.

WHAT THEY JERK TO:

Modest Mouse, Brian Eno, Dr. Dog, Electrelane, O'Death, Hole, Mr. Airplane Man, Blink 182, and Beastie Boys.

BEST SONG:

"Common Ground Fair." Chock full of oh, oh, ohs and ride cymbal, this track makes you want to wear plaid and wrap your arm around a friend.

WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN UP:

Those Ghostfuckers have a raw sound with a smooth delivery, and their live performances always create an intimate, dance-worthy atmosphere. The best bands are comprised of gritty sweethearts, and these guys are no exception. Sapp and Rizzo sing like they talk, the melody almost an afterthought.

UNLIKELY SOURCE OF INSPIRATION:

Beyond the song and dance, the band members are also visual performance artists, covering everything from video to paint. They even design their own T-shirts and posters. Other sources of inspiration include James Joyce and enduring heartbreak.

WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THEM:

Badlands, SPARK, Redhouse, Bug Jar (in Rochester), and a dirty basement near you. They have an album dropping this month, titled Don't Play Dead.

DISCLAIMER:

This band does not fuck ghosts. Their name comes from the video game, Super Mario Kart. In the game, ghosts sometimes topple your cart. The band refers to these pests as "those ghostfuckers."