Fredericksburg/Columbia/CD's

That’s Fredericksburg; not Fredricksburg (stupid Garmin)!!!

Thank you Fredericksburg, FAA, and Adam Bray! We had a great time as always in the fine city of Fredericksburg. Maybe it’s b/c our ancestors still haunt those grounds, guns in hand, maybe it’s the great positive energy that all of those kids have, or maybe it’s just one of those special places. Either way, we really appreciate you guys! We also would like to thank the bands that we played with; Sean Walsh & the Tereu Tereu Bandits, The Red Light Effect, and Alpha Jerk. I know we were a bit loud, judging by the fingers in the ears, we’ll bring earplugs next time. Anyway, ya’ll keep rocking, and we’ll see you sooner than later I’m sure.

Thank you Columbia, SC and Mother Nature for the great St. Patty’s Day show! The day after the horrible tornado in ATL, we played in Columbia, SC for their annual St. Patty’s Day festival. No thanks to the sorry ass bastards on the police force, minus a couple of you, for making getting to the stage difficult. Sometimes people are required to make decisions, and I don’t think Columbia’s police force is very capable. Concrete blocks are cheaper, and don’t talk back, for future reference. Anyway, it was great to see all of our friends, and it was great to see the Avett Brothers. We all went to UNCC together, live right down the road from one another, and we really are proud of all of their success. I must say, they are stand up guys too! Good things happen to good people, and they are a testament to that mantra. The weather did not hold out long enough for them to rock the crowd, and I know to some disappointment, but I do not fault anyone with the festival. Considering the tornado the day before, and the warning in the area, I think it was best to try and get some 30,000 people out of harms way. I just hate it had to happen.

CD Reviews:

I was so excited about The Teenagers CD finally coming out. The song “Scarlett Johansson” was the shit, and the B Side was good too! The full length though…um, kinda blows. How can so many people get so worked up over a band that only have a couple of songs? I was guilty too, so, kudos to them for pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. Another suspect: the Black Kids. They release 5-6 songs, free download on their myspace page, and the songs were good, but where is the rest? Still, all of this buzz and no product. It is the new trend it seems, get a couple of good songs, no more than 6 by any means, release them for free, build the buzz, then let everyone down. Gee fucking thanks! Hell, and when they do release a CD you get those same songs, plus a couple of other shitty ones, and have 11 tops. What happened to putting more than 11 songs on a CD? Can’t write? Cat’s got your tongue? Don’t care about your fans? Or let me guess, it’s a “concept album.” Here’s a concept, the Sammies will have 13 songs, again, on their CD; the concept, rock and fucking roll man!

Small revision: 11 songs is OK, if they all are good. Like the Shins first albums; short yes, but complete. It just kinda sucks bands are led to believe doing more than 11 is suicide. Eleven has a nice ring, I must admit, better than 13, but it's about the music.

Getting Down with The Spinto Band

Like I said at the beginning of the year, the Sammies will, and have been, taking it easy, as far as playing shows goes. We played so much last year it cut into recording, and hence, delayed us getting a new album of tunes out. Every time we hit the studio we would have to leave to play shows. And if you know anything about us, or have ever been to a show, you should know we do not cancel gigs, no matter what!

That leads me to our Asheville show on 2/26/08. Freedom had just had surgery that required a small incision a couple of days before the show. As much as it hurt him to move around and play, we did. Why, b/c we DO NOT CANCEL SHOWS (up and coming bands should follow that same mantra). Plus, we were playing with The Whigs and Spinto Band. Just read below and you will find plenty on the Whigs, they are our best friends. New best friends, Spinto Band! Very nice guys and they have some great songs. Start with "Oh Mandy" but then you will soon find others you may like more. The show was awesome, and we appreciate our fans that came out on a Tuesday night! Sammies fans came in force! Spinto rocked and of course so did the Whigs. We hope to make it back to Asheville and the Grey Eagle before long.



After the show, we caravanned down the mountain, with Spinto Band and our old friend Katie (we met Katie on tour w/ Birdmonster, photog, super nice, and Katie, you always have friends in Charlotte, and a place to stay) in tow. We made it to Charlotte a little after two, and we all crashed at The House of the Rising Sam. Thanks to Spinto and Katie for not stealing anything and being gracious guests. The next night Spinto and The Whigs played Charlotte. Since we play Charlotte too much as is, we held off playing that night. But it was nice to be a fan and not have to play. We all just enjoyed the good music and great friends that came out. Thanks Charlotte for showing those bands we rock!

Otherwise, we just got the mastering done for the upcoming album, and have been hard at work getting all of the art together. We still have to stay tight lipped for now, but more info will become available soon. I hope everyone is as excited and will love the album as much as we loved making it!

Next show, St. Patty's party in Five Points Columbia, SC! This Saturday 03/15/08! I think our friends from down the road, the Avett's are playing as well. I have heard that this is some party, and if it's anything like football season, I will need some Alka-Seltzer!