Representative Albums: "Underwater People," "Here and Somewhere Else," "Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility"
Representative Songs: "Feel Us Shaking," "Did You Ever Look So Nice," "Little Silver Ring"
Biography
With their relaxed, slightly jazzy pop, the Samples were one of the most popular touring bands of the early '90s. After a bad experience with a major label, the band began releasing their own records independently, building support through a grassroots network of fans. Through constant touring, the Samples were able to keep building their network of fans. They were also busy in the studio, recording three albums between 1992 and 1993. With none of their albums deviating from their folky, Sting-meets-the Grateful Dead pop, their albums -- which include 1994's Autopilot, 1996's Outpost, and 1997's Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility live set -- are virtually indistinguishable from each other. However, none of them are bad; each record has a couple of first-rate songs, showing why they are concert favorites across the country. Here and Somewhere Else followed in 1998 and Sparta was issued in fall 2000. Return to Earth appeared in 2001, and this studio effort included a guest spot from Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band on the track "Great Blue Ocean." The three-disc Anthology in Motion, Vol. 1 arrived in 2002, followed by 2003's Seventeen, a stripped-down live set performed before a thankful crowd at Connecticut's Quinnipiac College. The band returned to the studio for 2004's Black & White and 2005's Rehearsing for Life. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Sean Kelly
Jared Johnson
Karl Dietel
Billy Mutchler
Mike Montrey
Former members
Andy Sheldon
Jeep MacNichol
Al Laughlin
Charles Hambleton
Kenny James
Sam Young
Alex Matson
Rob Somers
Len Mooney
Tom Askin
Brian "Snowman" Powers
Dan Blondin
Bruce Wilson
Chat Churbuck
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[citation needed]. 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).
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. Charles Hambleton, an original member of the samples, fled the US to the Caribbean from Boulder over a heroin charge, he is credited on IMDB as himself in a movie called The Cove, he also was an extra in Pirates of the Caribbean.
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 5.
