The Samples

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The Samples, 1989 album

The Samples are a band formed in Boulder, Colorado in early 1987. The band's name came from the members' early sustenance of food samples from the local King Soopers grocery store. The music has been described as "reggae influenced rock/pop" and a cross between The Police and the Grateful Dead [1]. The founding members were Sean Kelly (Guitar/Vocals), Andy Sheldon (Bass/Vocals), Charles Hambleton (guitar), Jeep MacNichol (Drums/Vocals), and Al Laughlin (Keyboards, Vocals).

1 History
2 Current Members
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] History

The band gained fame in the Colorado area and eventually recorded "The Samples" on Arista Records in 1989. Hambleton left the band and a dispute broke out with Arista so the Samples joined on with an independent label, W.A.R.? - What Are Records? They became a success for What Are Records? in the early nineties selling over 1,000,000 copies of their catalogue based on a genuine grass roots campaign. Their live shows helped them become legends of the college circuit selling out venues in college towns across the country. Their records, including "Underwater People" (1992, What Are Records?), "No Room" (1992, What Are Records?), "The Last Drag" (1993, What Are Records?), Autopilot (1994, What Are Records?), Outpost (1996, MCA Records), Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility (1997, What Are Records?), Here and Somewhere Else (1998, What Are Records?), The Tan Mule (1998, What Are Records?) and The Very Best of The Samples (2004, What Are Records?) blended pop sensibility with a mix of folk, reggae, jazz, and rock to create their own signature sound. Sean Kelly, the featured songwriter, wrote countless songs about nature and the environment giving the band an "eco-friendly" reputation. Sheldon's thumping bass, Jeep's Stewart Copeland-inspired beats and Laughlin's off-beat reggae chords supported Kelly's inspired songwriting and Sting-like vocals. All four members were also good songwriters in their own right. The band headlined some of the H.O.R.D.E. tour shows in 1993 and 1996 and they shared the bill with big names such as The Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler, and Phish. On their own tours, many future successful bands opened up for them including The Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Lisa Loeb. The success included TV performances on "The Tonight Show" and "House of Blues". In 1996, the Samples signed on again with a major label. This time it was MCA Records and they recorded "Outpost" (1996). Another contract dispute broke out and their contract was revoked after the record was released. MacNichol and Laughlin quit and the band began to tour and release albums independently. Since 1997, there have been numerous member changes with the exception of Sean Kelly as frontman. The Band still enjoys a dedicated fanbase as the band still tours the country and releases intelligent and eclectic albums.

[edit] Current Members

Sean Kelly - lead singer, guitars and songwriter
Dan Blondin - acoustic guitars and vocals
Jared Johnson - bass
Karl Dietel - keyboards and vocals
Billy Mutchler - drums

[edit] Discography

The Samples (1989)
No Room (April 22, 1992)
Underwater People (July 9, 1992)
Still Water EP (1993)
Live At Deerfield Academy [Official LIVE Bootleg] (1993)
The Last Drag (September 24, 1993)
Autopilot (September 13, 1994)
Outpost (July 16, 1996)
Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility [LIVE] (September 23, 1997)
The Tan Mule (1998)
Here and Somewhere Else (July 28, 1998)
Sparta (November 7, 2000)
Landing on the Sidewalk (November 7, 2000)
Return to Earth (April 10, 2001)
Anthology in Motion, Vol. 1 (August 13, 2002)
Seventeen [LIVE] (October 7, 2003)
Instant Live: The Paradise – Boston, MA, 4/20/03 [LIVE] (October 14, 2003)
Black & White (March 9, 2004)
Live in Colorado [LIVE] (May 4, 2004)
Very Best of the Samples 1989–1994 (November 16, 2004)
Too Many Years assorted artists to benefit Clear Path International(August, 2005)
Rehearsing for Life (November 29, 2005)