1996

Ian’s former band Pele split up.

1999

Following a few false starts Ian, Johnny Barlow, Tony Kiley, Doctor Hopkins and Genevieve Mort record some demos that begin a five year tenure at Sonic One studios in Kidwelly, West Wales. New technology is embraced and the Amsterdam website is launched. As of November 2006 it is nearing half a million hits. Amsterdam are finally up and running.

Febuary Band win ‘best new band competition in the NME.

September Win annual industry bash ‘In the city’.

December Special guests of Billy Bragg on short tour.

2000

March Ian joins Mick Jones of the Clash onstage in a tribute to the recently deceased Ian Dury.

Summer ‘Nostalgia – don’t do it’ tour.

Autumn Begin recording of first album in Kidwelly.

2001

January Amsterdam release first album Attitunes (named by Ian McNabb) via their website only. Channel 4 teletext proclaim the tunes can ‘move mountains’. The Express say the lads are ‘the best band you haven’t heard yet’.

March And it hurts appears on EMI album Mersey boys and Liverpool girls along with Paul McCartney, Echo and the Bunnymen and other Liverpool greats. Band steal the show at album launch party which leaves fellow performer Elvis Costello ‘gobsmacked in the wings’.

Summer ‘Lie like a millionaire’ tour.

October Love phenomenon released on tiny little indie label Weena which secures the band there first ever live performance on Janice Long’s BBC Radio 2 show. The band go down a storm.

2002

March Amsterdam appear with Elvis Costello on the BBC1’s Jonathon Ross television show.

April Special guests of Elvis Costello on the opening date of his world tour in Amsterdam itself.

May Begin work on second album.

July Support Elvis again this time at Liverpool Kings dock Arena to 4,000 people.

October Second album The curse released via website only. Stand out track Does this train stop on Merseyside? starts it’s own journey towards immortality.

Winter Band tour the album.

2003

September Band enter studio to record brand new songs The journey, Joe’s kiss and The emmigrant in Whitby studios.

October Band go through major re-construction. Johnny Barlow is promoted to lead guitar duties, Paulie Hagan comes in on bass and Genevieve Mort departs. The modern definitive Amsterdam is born.

November Legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel begins playing Does this train stop on Merseyside? on his show. He is overcome with emotion each and everytime.

December Does this train stop on Merseyside? appears in the famous Festive fifty. Peelie comments that if it was up to him it would be ‘in at number one’.

2004

January band re-group and play first show with new set up in Liverpool. Everything goes perfectly.

September Sign record deal with Beat Crazy/Pinnacle. Re-record The glorious day.

December John Peel’s widow Shelia Ravenscroft appears live on BBC Radio 1 and plays Does this train stop on Merseyside?. She says ‘Out of all the songs he loved this is the one he would of wanted me to play the most’.

2005

January Band embark upon 14-date UK tour with labelmates Ricky. The journey single is released and hits the UK charts at number 32.

March Special Guests of Indie legends the Wonderstuff on a national tour. Amsterdam sign with Cruisin’ management, home to The Stranglers and The Bluetones.

May Does this train stop on Merseyside? UK tour begins. Despite being a Tranmere Rovers fan Ian is taken out to the European champions league final in Istanbul by Liverpool football club to sing to the fans before the game. Does this train stop on Merseyside? is finally released as an official single and also hits the UK charts.

June Perform Does this train stop on Merseyside? and Joe’s kiss live on the Janice Long show, BBC Radio 2. The Journey album released nationwide. The album consists of the best from the two previous internet only albums and three new songs, The emmigrant, The journey and much loved Joe’s kiss.

August Amsterdam steal the show in front of thousands at the first ever Mathew Street festival to include original bands. Iconic photo of band playing to thousands in front of the famous Liver buildings is taken.

October Embark upon full UK tour to support release of new single Takin’ on the world. Single is pitted head to head with various other bands every morning on the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. Elbow, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Go-Betweens amongst others are trounced by massive percentages each morning. Amsterdam end up winning every single day. Single goes onto the Radio 2 playlist.

November The Wonder Stuff’s Miles Hunt begins performing special version of Does this train stop on Merseyside?

2006

March Band go on 14 date UK tour as special guests of the Wonder Stuff.

April Band leave Beat Crazy by mutual consent.

July Record first live album at The Borderline club in London, the band’s spiritual home.

August Boys play there third live session on the Janice long show Radio 2 and debut two brand new songs. Steal the show for the second year running at the Mathew Street festival.

October Ian involved in car crash whilst in Belfast to play an acoustic show.

November Pre-production begins for brand new album

December Anna Jenkins joins Amsterdam as violinist. The genuinly legendary Irish singer Christy Moore begins doing his own version of Does this train stop on Merseyside? on his 12-night Dublin stand. The boys enter Charlton Farm studios in Somerset with producer Louie Nicastro to begin work on the new album.

2007

February Launch England Rocks with a five-song set in Studio One at the world’s most famous recording studios, Abbey Road, London. Play first ever unplugged shows with a two night stand at the Philharmonic in Liverpool with help from the Sense of Sound choir.

April Album nears completion with a guest appearance from Christy Moore.

July Support OMD at the Aintree pavillion Summer pops to 3,000 people.

September First ever front cover on Liverpool.com magazine. First ever Live album entitled 1,2,3,4! launched with two amazing shows in Liverpool and London.

October Begin work on duet with old friend Elvis Costello for the Number One project in Liverpool.

November Brand new single Home announced. Upon hearing the new album Paul Du Noyer (NME/Q/Mojo/Word) procalims his personal tip for Capital of culture year is ‘Ian Prowse and his band Amsterdam, I think there time has finally come’.

December Amsterdam to play national UK tour as special guests of The Icicle Works. Brand new single Home released. Boys play live on Radio 2’s Janice Long show for the fourth time.

2008

January Amsterdam play to 10,500 people at the brand new Liverpool Echo Arena for the Number One Project.

February Liverpool Number Ones album out on EMI. Amsterdam perform Don’t throw your love away duet with Elvis Costello.

March Brand new album Arm in arm released on March 17, St.Patrick’s day.
Two special launch shows played at the Cavern in Liverpooland London’s Borderline. Album garnishes the best reviews of Ian’s career.

May Amsterdam tour UK as special guests of the Bluetones. Brand new drummer Deian Elfryn joins the band. Ian is asked to perfom for the Queen in Liverpool as part of the Capital of Culture celebrations. He turns it down flat.

June Amsterdam to play Glastonbury festival.

Line up

Ian Prowse vocals and guitar
Johnny Barlow guitar
Anna Jenkins violin
Deian Elfryn drums
Tony Kiley guru