User:Alamantra/Alamantra

Alamantra is a guitar-driven indie rock band from Birmingham, Alabama U.S.A. They combine a wide range of styles with experienced, seasoned musicianship to create an eclectic sound-scape that combines Retro & Classic Rock influences with elements of Progressive Rock, Psychedelia, Improvisational Jazz, Americana, Alternative, Southern Rock and Blues. The result is an organically rich, original, authentic sound that is uniquely their own.

The current lineup features founding member and principle songwriter Bobby Shiflett: guitar and vocals, Andrew Reid: bass and vocals, Steve Casteel: guitar and Brandon Allison: drums.

Originally, the name "Alamantra" came from a typographical error referencing the Amalantrah Working that Bobby began using as a web moniker in 1995. The band began playing under the name of Alamantra in 2000 & was a continuation from previous bands made up of Bobby Shiflett, Andrew Reid and Kenny Shiflett, who all began playing together in "Every Little Flower" in 1993. Steve Casteel came into the fold around 1995. Since 2000 the membership has also included the contributions of other artists including: Laura Whitney: vocals, Shea Heatherly: drums, Tim Bagley: drums, Joel Smith: bass, Rhonda Ellis: bass, Leland Eaton: bass, Lex Adwell: bass and Mike Hamilton: vocals.

In 2003 Alamantra did a series of shows around the Birmingham Alabama area to promote awareness for RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network). In 2010 Alamantra released Alamantra: By Turns as a retrospective collected from a variety of recording sessions held between 1995 and 2008. This work highlights the range of their musical interests, introspective lyrics and instrumental and compositional abilities. Their instrumental "Surf Babe" has been a favorite intro and outro for pod casters and was used on German National TV.

In late spring of 2010 Brandon Allison, grandson of NASCAR legend Bobby Allison & son of NASCAR driver Clifford Allison, replaced Kenny Shiflett on drums.

Source: http://alamantra.org/?page_id=658 (Used with permission)