Samhain (band)
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| Samhain | ||
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 Promotional shot of Samhain, ca. 1986
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| Background information | ||
| Genre(s) | Horrorpunk | |
| Years active | 1983–1987 (changed their name to Danzig) (Reunions: 1999) |
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| Label(s) | Plan 9, Caroline Records | |
Samhain was a horror punk band formed by Glenn Danzig in 1983 as The Misfits were in major turmoil and close to disbanding. Danzig originally planned Samhain as a side project, but after the demise of The Misfits in October of 1983, it became his full-time band. Samhain is the lesser known of Glenn Danzig's musical outlets and catalogs the transitional period of his musical career, bridging the gap between the punk thrashing of The Misfits, and the dark, heavy metal sound of Danzig.
Glenn took the name of the band from Samhain, the ancient Celtic New Year, which influenced the modern Halloween. Samhain is pronounced "sow-win" (which is the pronunciation that Glenn uses in songs), although the band name is often pronounced "Sam-Hane" for the sake of simplicity.
Samhain was much darker than The Misfits, with lyrics rooted in the occult and eventually the horrors of reality, as opposed to the sometimes cartoonish ghouls and ghosts of The Misfits. Samhain's musical style was a dark, gritty, and experimental combination of punk, gothic rock, and on the last album, heavy metal.
Samhain released two full-length albums and one EP during their three year career as an active band. Some criticized their first album for being merely the Misfits slowed down, but Samhain demonstrated noticeably superior musicianship[citation needed]. The fact that Samhain re-recorded a few Misfits songs cemented the idea in some peoples' minds that Danzig couldn't move past his work with the Misfits[citation needed]. However, as their career progressed, they evolved into their own unique style of lo-fi gothic-doom and gained a cult following that surpassed the modest fanbase The Misfits had while they were active[citation needed].
As a footnote, Glenn wrote the songs "Bloodfeast" and "Death Comes Ripping" with intentions of using them on the first Samhain album, but they ended up on The Misfits Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album as part of a last ditch effort to salvage the band.
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[edit] Live shows
A Samhain show was an energetic and unpredictable event. Sometimes Danzig could be seen donning a bizarre demon-shaped leather S&M mask and covered in mock blood. Occasionally, he would leap from the stage to physically attack fans who had spit on or made obscene gestures towards him. Amazingly, he has never been involved in a lawsuit for assault.
[edit] Name change
In 1986, Samhain was signed by Rick Rubin to his Def Jam label. In 1987, Glenn decided to change the name of the band to Danzig. Rick Rubin at first wished only to sign Glenn with the promise of helping him assemble an all star lineup, however, Glenn refused to agree to the deal unless Samhain bassist Eerie Von could remain in the group. Rick Rubin and Glenn thought the band's sound should be taken in a different direction, and so Samhain guitarist Damien was replaced by John Christ, while drummer London May was replaced by Chuck Biscuits, completing the first Danzig lineup.
[edit] Late album
In 1990, Samhain's final album, Final Descent, was released. It was worked on from 1986 up until 1990, with one song ("Death...In Its Arms") recorded by the full band Danzig during the sessions for Danzig II: Lucifuge. On all other tracks, a drum machine was used. Its sound and songwriting bridges the gap between 1986's November Coming Fire and 1988's Danzig. In its first pressings, Final Descent also featured new remixed versions of the then out-of-print Unholy Passion EP. Possibly to avoid potential legal disputes with former guitarist Damien, Danzig had overdubbed/re-recorded all of the original guitar tracks with his own guitar playing. He also created a new track, a remix of the bass and vocal tracks from "I Am Misery", entitled "Misery Tomb".
When the Samhain Box Set was released in 2000, these remixes were given a CD of their own, taking the place of the Unholy Passion EP, while Final Descent was filled out with four unreleased tracks, all featuring London May on drums. Among these were earlier, more abrasive arrangements of what had become known as the Danzig classics "Twist of Cain" and "Possession", a cover of Elvis Presley's "Trouble" (later re-recorded for the Danzig EPThrall: Demonsweatlive), and a faster version of "Lords of the Left Hand".
[edit] Reunion
Samhain briefly reunited in 1999 to celebrate the release of the Box Set. They went on one national tour with the band Danzig headlining. The lineup consisted of Danzig, Zing, May, and then Danzig guitarist Todd Youth. Damien was initially asked to play guitar, but couldn't due to already being on tour with Iggy Pop. Founding member Eerie Von was not asked to participate due to him libeling Danzig in several periodicals and over the internet. Danzig has since stated that the band will not tour again.
[edit] Members
- Glenn Danzig: Founding member. Vocals/guitar/keyboards/drums, also sole songwriter and lyricist. Also a member of Danzig.
- Brian Baker Founding member, formerly of Minor Threat. Played only in rehearsals, but was meant to be a permanent member. Left because he didn't feel his playing was cohesive with the other members.
- Lyle Preslar: Founding member, formerly of Minor Threat. Guitar on four tracks on Initium only.
- Al Pike: Played bass on Initium's "Archangel".
- Steve Zing: Founding member. Drums on Initium and Unholy Passion, also held Drum and Bass duties for the 1999 tour.
- Eerie Von: Bass, backing vocals. Also a member of Danzig.
- Pete "Damien" Marshall: Guitar on Unholy Passion and November-Coming-Fire.
- London May: Drums on November-Coming-Fire and held drum and bass duties for the 1999 tour.
- Todd Youth: Guitar on the 1999 tour only, also played on the related Son Of Sam side project with Davey Havok, Steve Zing and London May.
- John Christ: Guitar on side one of Final Descent and the mostly unreleased Samhain Grim sessions. Also played in Danzig.
- Chuck Biscuits: Never actually a member of Samhain, although he played drums on "Death...In Its Arms" from Final Descent. Also a member of Danzig.
