They've been named the "Hot Band" in Rolling Stone. Their singer, Mark Eitzel, was awarded "Best Songwriter" in Rolling Stone's Critics' Poll. Their last album, Mercury, their Reprise debut, placed in many critic's Top 10 lists. The honesty of their performance has drawn comparisons to the untainted artistry of Van Morrison and Paul Westerberg and cult heroes such as Nick Drake and Alex Chilton. But their sound has always been strictly American Music Club. Now, their seventh album and second for Reprise, San Francisco, named for their homeground, is here to alter perceptions about what AMC is about.

Produced by Joe Chiccarelli and AMC, San Francisco is in many ways the "pop record" that AMC's Mark Eitzel has been threatening to make for some time. The singer/songwriter/guitarist has become known for writing extremely introspective songs that twist and turn like the ambivalent emotions that inspire them.

With San Francisco, the introvert becomes extrovert. Though many of the songs retain the restrained beauty of previous AMC classics, here the band fully utilizes the talents of their rhythm section. AMC have never rocked more convincingly. Songs like "Wish The World Away" (the first single), "It's Your Birthday," "Hello Amsterdam" and "I'll Be Gone" bear this out. While songs like "Fearless," "Cape Canaveral," "In the Shadow of the Valley" and "Love Doesn't Belong" capture the signature AMC sound.

Forming in San Francisco in 1983 AMC, Mark Eitzel, guitarist Vudi and bassist Danny Pearson, accidentally begin enjoining the disparate elements of rock, country, blues, soul, pop and punk. Featuring the budding songwriter in Mark Eitzel, AMC records The Restless Stranger in 1985 as the debut release for the independent label, Grifter. The Restless Stranger has never been issued on CD and fetches collectors' prices.

Engine (1987), jointly released by Grifter/Frontier and later made available on CD through Alias, features several songs that are live staples till this day, including: "Outside This Bar" and "Nightwatchman." The 80's keyboards are gone and replaced with guitars. The album begins with the slow, brooding "Big Night," unusual for an opening cut, but something that becomes a trademark for AMC.

In 1988, California is released, with standout tracks "Blue And Grey Shirt," "Western Sky" and the crowd-pleaser, "Firefly."

Still a cult band, but becoming "big in England," AMC release United Kingdom (1990) on Demon records in England. No US release surfaces. David Sprague in the Fourth Edition of the Trouser Press Record Guide calls it "the best microcosmic document yet of an erratic, invigorating and frightening band."

Testing himself as a performer, Eitzel goes to England for solo performances and the Songs of Love Live (1991) CD results; it is released on Demon in England. Again, no US release surfaces.

Signed to Alias, AMC deliver Everclear (1991). The album makes the Rolling Stone Critics' Poll alongside Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and II, U2's Achtung Baby and R.E.M.'s Out of Time. Eitzel is named "Best Songwriter." Eitzel scratches his head and wonders what he did. Everclear is mixed by Joe Chiccarelli, who will later co-produce San Francisco with the band.

Amidst the excitement, AMC begin talking to major labels. Before signing to anyone, Eitzel records with San Francisco punk band, Toiling Midgets, recruiting Midgets' drummer Tim Mooney in the process. The line-up is solid; AMC then signs to Reprise..

AMC record their major-label debut, Mercury (1993). Produced by Mitchell Froom, the album is considered by many to be their most focused yet. A four-star review and "Hot Band" status in Rolling Stone confirms suspicions that AMC are indeed a very special band.

Throughout 1993, AMC tour the country, including several opening slots with Pearl Jam, who handpick them after several members jump on stage during an AMC show in San Francisco. Eitzel begins writing the follow-up.

Spring 1994: Settling on Joe Chiccarelli, AMC sets up shop and begins recording a set of songs, that due to their line-up's steadiness, indicates possible new directions. The result is San Francisco.