Alternative pop/rock band Framing Amy performs at Wartburg

Five years ago Amy Pierce and Tony Nardone founded this group which now includes Thomy Kiesling, Rus Stanford, and Tony Lentz.

Each member of the band has come from a different musical background to make up Framing Amy's unique sound. Amy, the lead singer, came from a top 40/R&B background, while Kiesling and Lentz, guitarist and bassist respectively, came from rock backgrounds. Rus brought his country background to the band on guitar and Nardone added his pop style on the drums.

Add this all together and you get Framing Amy.

These five musicians have played in Lilith Fair, in addition to appearances as the house band on The Jenny Jones Show numerous times.

Framing Amy has opened for bands such as Sister Hazel, Tonic, Semisonic, and most recently Blessid Union of Souls.

Framing Amy opened for Blessid in Neumann Auditorium by playing 50 minutes of high-energy music that had the crowd jumping, dancing, and singing along.

During one song Nardone came down into the audience and played the "drums" on some of the seats. The group played songs off both their albums and kept the energy level, soaring throughout their entire performance.

Framing Amy has two CD's out, both of which are self-funded, as they are not signed with a record label. Their second CD was produced by Dave Vartanian, who has produced CD's for groups such as Violent Femmes, Live, and Crash Test Dummies.

The band's favorite thing about touring "has to be playing in front of people" said Nardone. Their least favorite aspect of touring is being away from home.

Nardone said the most memorable thing about coming to Wartburg, aside from the show, was the Wartburg College mint truffles they received when they arrived. Framing Amy would love to have the chance to come back and play in Waverly sometime soon.

Pictures from all their shows, including crowd photos, are posted on the band's web page. Check out Framing Amy at www.framingamy.com.