AMP formed out the musical wanderings of Richard, formerly a collaborator with Dave Pearce (FSA) in The Secret Garden and the Distance project (recorded November mist). After inspiring French singer Karine Charff with a cassette/short story produced in 1992 (recorded with Ray Dickaty/Skree/Moonshake/Spiritualized), AMP as we know it was born on record in 1995/96 when their first single "get there" was released.
AMP call themselves 'Trans European Esoterrorists'. They initially recorded some material at home and in Wales with Matt Elliot, now 'Third Eye Foundation', and Matt Jones of 'Crescent'. The first single "get there", "Le petit Chat" and first album "Sirenes" were released in 1996.
"AMP douse their folk melodies in oceanic effects, with a commitment to fidelity so low it would make a philanderer blush... AMP have created a soundtrack that actually attempts to address their imaginary film they are scoring..."
Christopher Porter Alternative Press.
Karine and Richard went on to work more closely with Guy Cooper and Gareth Mitchell former compatriots in The Secret Garden after the two 'Matt' departed to work on their own projects. More sessions at home and in Wales resulted in the first album for the Kranky label 'Astralmoonbeamprojections' 1997.
"AMP's Kranky debut is a panoramic sweep of experimentation, encompassing cavernously loud soundscapes, murmured vocals and a paradoxical blend of violent ethereality..."
Tom Ridge 'The Wire'

Mitchell moved on to form 'Philosophers Stone', Karine and Richard sum up AMP to date with a compilation of singles 'Passe Present' Enraptured UK. 1997/98.

"Passe Present has such a presence, unexplicable psyche, that I find myself falling in love with the sort of thing I wouldn't normally touch. AMP rekindle a long neglected love for the forest and how truly frightening nights can be..."
Troy Palmer 'Alternative Press'.

1998 saw AMP restructured more closely around the bi-polar forces of Richard and Karine. Karine finds the French satellite called Olivier Gauthier (programming) and Richard Hampson of MAIN/Loop (Producer) and together 'Stenorette' was formed, recorded in Wales, spring 1998.
'Stenorette' is a transition from the impressionist drones of 'Astralmoon...' and the lo-fi thunder of 'Sirenes', to a point of consolidation.
An amplification of intent to focus using the counterpoint of folk/tribal melody and machine, rhythms and sound effects to create a sonic expressionism.
A merger of the abstract beauties in recorded sound events and the narratives on perseptions of reality.
"Dislocated vocals float over edgy real-time rhythms with a hallucinatory ressemblance to trip hop or drift enticing through Eric Satie-influenced piano magic..."

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