I think for every music enthusiast, there comes a defining moment in your life where you really discover music. During the mid-90’s, amidst the experimental phase of MTV (or how I refer to it, the only time MTV mattered), that moment came in the form of the music video program Amp. The series ran from 1996-2001 – though it hit its peak in 1998 before it fell apart when it was later called Amp 2.0 – and showcased
electronica to the mainstream. The show would come on every Saturday night / Sunday morning around two or three a.m. (not sure exactly though) and it was almost like being a child staying up to watch cartoons, though these were genre-defining videos from directors and musicians whom we still discuss to this very day.
For myself, this was my education in music. I’ve gone through many musical phases (rap, britpop, etc.), but electronica was really where it all began for me. I always find myself coming back to it, while it still continues to influence everything i’ve ever listened to. Imagine discovering this through a 14-year-old’s naive eyes, where there really was no other avenue for different music outside of radio. I really wouldn’t want to think where I would be if it wasn’t for this highly seminal program, seriously.
I still remember one of the first episodes that I was able to watch and you really couldn’t ask for much more considering who was featured on the episode. Here’s a quick rundown of what I can remember, along with a random assortment of the many videos that were on the program.
“Around The World” :: Daft Punk
Easily, one of the best music videos of the 90s. And for many, our first introduction to the genius of both Daft Punk and director Michel Gondry.
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“House of God” :: DHS
Simple video, but how can you not be hooked if you happened to come across this in the middle of the night? One answer, not possible.
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“Extra” :: Ken Ishii
What’s cool about this video is that it was directed by Koji Morimoto – one of Japan’s most well-known anime directors, including working on Akira, one of the greatest animes of all time.
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“Believe” :: Gus Gus
This video creeps me out. I’d rather not watch a guy shave his nipples.
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“Midnight In A Perfect World” :: DJ Shadow
My very first introduction to DJ Shadow and consequently, one of my all-time favorite tracks. Enough said really.
Click after the cut to watch some other videos that were featured on Amp.
“We Have Explosive” :: The Future Sound Of London
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“Sexy Boy” :: Air
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“Sugar Water” :: Cibo Matto
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“Da Funk” :: Daft Punk
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“Setting Sun” :: The Chemical Brothers
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“Ni Ten Ichi Ryu (TeeBee Remix)” :: Photek
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“Born Slippy” :: Underworld
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“2Wicky” :: Hooverphonic
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“Protection” :: Massive Attack
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“Dirt” :: Death In Vegas
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“The Box” :: Orbital
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“Trigger Hippie” :: Morcheeba
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Mike Bowen: That should be Daft Punk’s “Da Funk”.. I believe that was the video with the guy with a dog head that tries to buy the book called Big City Nights, chats up an old friend but then can’t get on the bus cos of his stereo..
Daryl, I know what video you’re talking about too.. Seems like a song where the words Jungle Music get echoed a lot.. Can’t find the name too well, but still working on it. It’s beginning to be a brainworm to me now..
Ok, Daryl.. I thought it was one specific video, but then I remembered it was actually EBN’s “378″..
What about Green Nuns of the Revolution “Rock Bitch”. I can’t believe most of this stuff is on Youtube.
Thanks for this post. I loved watching AMP as well. I miss the MTV of the mid ’90s. I also found out about DJ Shadow through AMP.
Love this site….. AMP was 1 of MTV’s better ideas. All the videos really take me back. AMP got me into the rave scene, which eventually lead me into throwing parties an dj’ing. Thanks for compiling all this info!!!! they played alot of indie rock too. Just really opened my eyes to different music. I got a video I’m curious to see if anyone can remember. It was a boombox on stage, rockin’ a crowd, then went in to the backstage and started doing drugs, then someone runs in and stops him. If anyone can remember this 1, it’ll settle a bet.
Well while reading this blog i thought about my own experience with AMPtv, and as you can tell by my name i am a total fuckin crack head. I used to wait all fuckin night till my parents were asleep get stoned as FUCK and record this fuckin mind altering show. I LOVE TECHNO, ive loved it my whole life. Iused to bump fuckin 2 unlimited when i was 8, when i found this show i immediately EJACULATED all over my 15 year old pants. The videos were swEEEEET and the artist still some what matter to this day, and have created the electronic scene as we know it today, FUCK MTV they are the devil, but for a short while of there existence they defined my life. PEACE mutha fuckas??????
Man, listening to what some of you remembered growing up to mtv amp opened up the gates to my early teen music memories. Being 15,stoned, and bored and finding that show was amazing. Everyone around me at that time were yo boys[as was i],and all listening to mostly the shittier rap music that was out, and then i saw Goldie’s video “temper temper” and was freaked out,but hooked. I actually found a dvd of mtv amp with 20 videos on it at a record store awhile ago and have regretted not buying it ever since. It’s crazy how a few jungle,drum’n'bass,trance,trip-hop videos viewed at a young age can mold a person to not conform to the “norm”of everybody else. Mtv currently blows balls,but i’m grateful for having my musical horizons expanded by such a freaking incredible show.Why does 99% of music on tv and the radio nowadays have to suck so bad? Bring back amp or something like it.
I love that people are still coming across this old post and commenting. Thanks guys!
Thanks for the post. I was in highschool when Amp was on, and now 10+ years later i still get that craving. I remember Roni Size, Chem bros, Prodigy, and sooo much more. Thanks for taking the time to get such great videos back!
I was 14 years old in ‘97 when this show was on (if I remember the year correctly) and my God! I remember staying up late every weekend to see this show. Gowing up in a rural town in KY, you can imagine, none of my friends would watch with me. They all said the music was creepy, but I LOVED it. I remember when the compliation came out I begged my dad like a jonesing addict for the cash to buy it, and I drove him nuts playing over and over again in his truck on the way to school. Atom Bomb was my favourite on the disc, though I couldn’t honestly pick a fav. video, there were so many creative ones on. I, too, miss the days when MTV made a little effort. I can’t say I really give a fuck who Paris’ BFF is or who has the most Awsome Sweet Sixteen party, but I’m just glad I’m not a kid today… who knows where I would’ve ended up. I just hope the future generations will get something as creative for them to be inspired by.
Yes, I long for the days of Amp as well. There were many favorites but Massive Attack’s Sly was a particularly memorable one…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsv21Qq3hOc
Amp torrent now available. Get it here…
http://tinyurl.com/yzg8fd6
21 Episodes, 55 tracks, 7.72 gigs.