This show is a must see! On October 27th @ 8:00 p.m, The Samples are playing for only $12.00 a ticket. Ticketmaster still has available tickets or you can get them at the door. 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.

Sean Kelly, the lead singer and only remaining original band member, and other original members were born in Manchester, Vermont and graduated the “Class of 1979″. The Samples eventually moved to Colorado, where the band gained fame and 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), “No Room” (1992), “The Last Drag” (1993, What Are Records?), Autopilot (1994)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 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Another contract dispute broke out and their contract was revoked after the record was released.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.

Post by Heather