The Samples
were 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).
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THE SAMPLES TICKETS
EVENT | DATE | AVAILABILITY |
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The Samples Tickets 6/12 | Jun 12, 2024 Wed, 7:30 PM | | The Samples Tickets 6/13 | Jun 13, 2024 Thu, 7:30 PM | | The Samples Tickets 7/12 | Jul 12, 2024 Fri, 7:30 PM | | The Samples Tickets 9/27 | Sep 27, 2024 Fri, 8:00 PM | | Oceans Calling Festival: Blink-182, The Killers & Dave Matthews Band - 3 Day Pass Tickets 9/27 | Sep 27, 2024 Friday | |
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History
Sean Kelly, the lead singer and only remaining original band member, and other original members were born in Manchester, Vermont. The Samples eventually moved to Colorado, where the band gained fame and recorded
The Samples
for
Arista Records in 1989. Hambleton left the band and a dispute broke out with Arista so the Samples joined on with independent label,
W.A.R.? - What Are Records? They became a success in the early 1990s, selling over one million copies of their catalogue based on a genuine grass roots campaign.
Their live shows helped them on the college circuit selling out venues in college towns across the country. Their 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 songs about nature and the environment giving the band an "eco-friendly" reputation. 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 up and coming bands opened up for them including
Dave Matthews Band,
Hootie & the Blowfish, and
Lisa Loeb. The success included television 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
. Another contract dispute broke out and their contract was revoked after the record was released. MacNichol and Laughlin quit. In 1997 the Samples rejoined
What Are Records? and released three more albums,
Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility
,
The Tan Mule
and
Here and Somewhere Else
. In 2000 the band began to release albums independently. There were numerous member changes with the exception of Sean Kelly as frontman.
In April 2008, The Samples came to an end, as Sean Kelly wrote: "The long and winding road for The Samples has ended. Outside of possibly playing a few rumored dates with the original line up next fall, The Samples will be no longer."
The Samples are currently touring though. Following a Colorado Rapids game on the 4th of July, 2009, and played the Boulder Theater July 5th.
Current members
- Sean Kelly - lead singer, guitars and songwriter
- Mike Montrey - acoustic guitars and vocals
- Jared Johnson - bass
- Karl Dietel - keyboards and vocals
- Billy Mutchler - drums
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)
References
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:obkbu3y5an4k