Music with Purpose

Featured Band: September 2007

PANAMA CITY - Emerging on the hardcore music scene, across several cities in the Florida Panhandle, is a new band trying to make a difference with its music – Ambush!

Forming in late 2006, Ambush! includes the music talents of five guys from three Florida cities:

• Kyle Dischinger – vocals, Panama City 
• Grant Mosley – guitar, Milton 
• Blake Clenney –  guitar, Panama City
• Jonny Teague – bass, Panama City 
• Aubrey Young – drums, Tallahasee

Despite the negative stereotype sometimes associated with hardcore music, Ambush! has a very positive, upbeat outlook on life and is dedicated to opening the hearts and minds of its listeners.
 
Hardcore music gets a bad rep from non-listeners who sometimes group it with unrelated music genres, such as heavy metal and hard rock.

“Hardcore is different than other heavier music,” Mosley explained. “It’s not destructive. It’s music with feeling and purpose.”

Hardcore music came about in the mid-1980s when hardcore punk met art rock. The result was an era of music that communicated hope and ambition.

Heavily influenced by this movement, Ambush! uses its music and lyrics to speak to its listeners about how each person can impact the world.
 
“I hope we convey a positive image,” Mosley said. “I want a kid to pick up an Ambush! album and feel like he/she can change things.”

Ambush! writes all of its own music starting with the melody.

“Blake and I usually come to practice with a riff or a song idea and then bounce it off each other until we have a song,” Mosley explained. “We both have different ways of writing music, so together we come up with pretty cool stuff.”

The lyrics blend with the melody and are usually focused on a message that Ambush! wishes to send to listeners.

“It is music with purpose,” Mosley said. “As far as lyrics go, we just try to keep positive life lessons kind of stuff. Kyle just got done writing lyrics about losing a friend to drugs. We have been pitching the idea back and forth to do a song that is pro gay rights. It goes back to music with purpose.”

Once the songs are complete they are ready to share.

Ambush! has released a demo that is available at shows, but most people hear about the music through word of mouth or by attending a show.

Ambush! fans come in all shapes and colors.

“We get a lot of hardcore kids, but even those kids vary,” Mosley said. “Everyone gets along, and we have always taken pride in the fact that ANYONE is welcome at an Ambush! show.”

The hardcore music scene continues to grow in the Florida Panhandle and is attracting a much younger audience than mainstream music.

Mosley sees this as Ambush!’s opportunity to make a positive impact on young and impressionable minds.

“I’d rather kids be coming to our shows than getting into the normal mess kids get into,” Mosley said. “At least, at our show there are no drugs and kids are getting told they can make something out of themselves if they focus on what they want out of life.”

Ambush! sets a good example for its fans by remaining active in the community and charities. It encourages its young fans to take an active role in their lives, the community, the nation and the world.

Mosley sends this message to fans:

“Prove to this world that the youth of today want and can make this world a better place,” Mosley said. “Be active in your community and scene, volunteer at the humane shelter, get in soup kitchens, be a big brother/sister. There are things for you to do to make a positive impact in someone else's life.”

Charities supported by Ambush!
Ambush! supports national as well as global outreach campaigns from organizations and non-profits.

Ambush! requested special recognition for the following:

To Hell and Back Pitbull Rescue 
An organization focused on rescuing pitbulls from unsafe living conditions and on uniting these dogs with loving owners. Read more about To Hell and Back on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/veganpitbullrescue.
 
Invisible Children 
An organization focused on providing the resources, skills and funds to the people of Northern Uganda affected by war. Visit Invisible Children online at http://www.invisiblechildren.com.

To Write Love on Her Arms
An organization focused on communicating hope and love to broken people. Learn more about To Write Love on Her Arms at http://www.twloha.com.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
A national, 24-hour, and toll-free suicide prevention service available to all those in suicidal crisis who are seeking help. Individuals seeking help can dial (800) 273-TALK (8255). For more information, visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 
RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. Visit RAINN online at http://www.rainn.org.

MADD 
An organization aimed at stopping drunk driving, preventing underage drinking and supporting the victims of this violent crime. Learn more at http://www.madd.org.

Visit Ambush! on MySpace
Listen to music, find out about shows and keep up with the band at http://www.myspace.com/ambushfla.