Fresh Friday: The Sammies

I was going to write about a different band today, but then a little email arrived in my inbox reminding me of a band I fell in love with last fall. The group still hasn’t been receiving the adoration they deserve, so there will be a slight change in plans.

When I was little, I listened to a lot of Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Grateful Dead and Bruce Springsteen. This was just what my parents were into. And driving around with them, you could always hear my little voice coming from the back seat singing, “Island’s industry, that is what they are!” Believe me, even with the wrong lyrics, it was adorable.

If I could describe to you the sound of The Sammies, it would be a mixture of all those country and rock artists I so fondly remember from my childhood, tinged with some of my not so lost, youthful exuberance. The Sammies are part of the retro-country sound that saw a widespread popularity with The White Stripes and continues on with the younger generation of O’death, Catfish Haven and Illinois. Their NYC show over seven months ago still stands as one of the handful of performances I would count amongst the best of 2006. I came in to see them not knowing a thing and walked away an over enthused fan.

I am not going to tell you to start listening to this band to get ahead of the curve; instead, you should give it a listen because I said so. I kid. You should listen because it is just hands down great music made by a group of lovable, earnest musicians.

MP3s: 'Falling Out' and 'Caretaker'

Posted on 12:50 PM / 0 comments / Read More

The Sammies, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Catfish Haven & Birdmonster @ Mercury 9/7: Three Out of Four Ain't Bad

Tonight was one hell of a show, presented by Stereogum, at Mercury.


First up were The Sammies and I loved them. LOVED. I wandered in mid-set and kicked myself for getting there late. If you knew anything about my love life, or lack thereof, you would know that it is kinda funny that I am in love with a band called The Sammies.

Peter Birdmonster (in the plaid) jamming with the band

I wasn't able to say hi to the band before they left back for North Carolina- which was kind of a good thing because after one song, I was determined to ask if they would play our Pre-CMJ show on October 14th and now that I am home, I see that they are already booked that night. What a disappointment, however, the guys did say that they would be back in NYC for CMJ.


The Sammies are a southern inspired indie rock group with a very distinct sound and insanely catchy and clever songs. They seem to only be touring in the south at the moment, so if you live in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia you are in luck. The Sammies have a self-titled debut out which you can purchase on itunes or over on their site.


Next up tonight were Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Though the lead singer cuts a distinctly Harry Potter like jib with his tousled dark hair and round glasses and the co-lead singer is equally as endearing with his sweet politeness, SSLYBY sound just like another Indie Pop band. It actually just pained me to say that. Sorry.


Sometimes a group's album trumps their live show and sometimes vice versa. Perhaps a listen to their tracks will change my mind. Scott Stereogum seemed to really like them however.



Third on the bill were Catfish Haven, another band that I wish would play our Pre-CMJ jam, they are so awesome, but alas- I don't think they will agree to fly from Arizona to NYC just for the show. Shit.


And... I am going to caption the rest of these tomorrow. Right now, just look at the pretty pictures of Pete Birdmonster because I am freaking tired. Goodnight kids.

Posted on 10:17 PM / 0 comments / Read More

The Sammies, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Catfish Haven & Birdmonster @ Mercury 9/7: Three Out of Four Ain't Bad

Tonight was one hell of a show, presented by Stereogum, at Mercury.


First up were The Sammies and I loved them. LOVED. I wandered in mid-set and kicked myself for getting there late. If you knew anything about my love life, or lack thereof, you would know that it is kinda funny that I am in love with a band called The Sammies.

Peter Birdmonster (in the plaid) jamming with the band

I wasn't able to say hi to the band before they left back for North Carolina- which was kind of a good thing because after one song, I was determined to ask if they would play our Pre-CMJ show on October 14th and now that I am home, I see that they are already booked that night. What a disappointment, however, the guys did say that they would be back in NYC for CMJ.


The Sammies are a southern inspired indie rock group with a very distinct sound and insanely catchy and clever songs. They seem to only be touring in the south at the moment, so if you live in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia you are in luck. The Sammies have a self-titled debut out which you can purchase on itunes or over on their site.


Next up tonight were Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Though the lead singer cuts a distinctly Harry Potter like jib with his tousled dark hair and round glasses and the co-lead singer is equally as endearing with his sweet politeness, SSLYBY sound just like another Indie Pop band. It actually just pained me to say that. Sorry.


Sometimes a group's album trumps their live show and sometimes vice versa. Perhaps a listen to their tracks will change my mind. Scott Stereogum seemed to really like them however.



Third on the bill were Catfish Haven, another band that I wish would play our Pre-CMJ jam, they are so awesome, but alas- I don't think they will agree to fly from Arizona to NYC just for the show. Shit.


And... I am going to caption the rest of these tomorrow. Right now, just look at the pretty pictures of Pete Birdmonster because I am freaking tired. Goodnight kids.

Posted on 10:17 PM / 0 comments / Read More