THE SAMPLES IN PITTSBURGH | 08.03

Walking in I didn’t know what to expect. The Samples, a seminal founding member of this jam scene, was playing at Rosebud’s in Pittsburgh. Now years had gone by since their music had really excited me. What I left the night with though was one of the most fun, high-energy performances that I can remember seeing in a long time. Not a “jam band” by today’s terms, these guys are about the songs and the songs only. There were no extended solos or “mind-altering” jams, in their place though were extremely tight, well-crafted compositions, which made you happy to be there with friends old and new, dancing your ass off and having a great time. The night left me refreshed, seeing a band with their own distinct sound, continuing to play music that brings joy and rejuvenation to everyone in attendance.

As the Samples walked on stage the 150 people in attendance were freaking, like a high school reunion on ecstasy. There were obviously a few Samples-starved fans in attendance. They opened the set with “Indiana”, a fan favorite. After finishing the first song I knew that I was in for a great night. Sean Kelly (lead guitar player and vocalist) commented on the energy in the room with, “WOW.... WHAT a crowd,” and you could tell that he was truly excited. The band followed “Indiana” with two more classics, “Losing End of Distance” and “Little Silver Rings” each bringing smiles to the faces of all in attendance. “Castle Walls” followed, which was the first new song of the night off the Samples new album Return to Earth (it is excellent by the way). Even though most people there, myself included, could not sing along to this one, it still kept everyone moving.

“Feel Us Shaking” was next. From the opening notes off of Sean’s guitar people were ecstatic. I think this song brought everyone back to a certain phase in their lives. It brought me back to the innocence of high school and hooking up in the back of my parents caravan. The sound on this tune was phenomenal as the band mixed the thumping bass line, “Specials-esque” drumming and a majestic guitar line perfectly. Other highlights in the set included “When It’s Raining”, “Did You Ever” and a phenomenal new song “Wild River”. Andy Sheldon’s bassline on “Wild River” would make Sting proud as he powerfully drives the band to the next level. There were two “breaks” in the set as Andy and Sean both did their own acoustic performances.

We decided to take a breather and sit down for a minute during Andy’s performance, but were quickly back on our feet as we realized that he was covering Elton John’s classic “Tiny Dancer.” We certainly could not pass up the chance to dance with the two blond cuties from Buffalo who were dancing in front of us.

After a powerful 100-minute set the band came back on stage for an encore with antics in mind. They ran through parts of “Great Balls of Fire” and “L.A. Woman” before settling into a mellow closer, a new song called “Water Under the Bridge.” Walking out of the bar after the show I felt rejuvenated. Maybe it was the Grey Goose and club sodas talking, but I would like to think that it was the Samples’ songs and energy, which seemed to bring everyone in the room into a perfect space in time---the entire reason why I go to see live music.

Happy Harrison
Yinz Pittsburgh Jambase Correspondent
Go See Live Music!

Setlist:
Indiana, Losing End of Distance, Little Silver Ring, Castle Walls, Feel Us Shaking, World of Machines, When it’s Raining, Wild River, Taxi, Tiny Dancer Medley*, Did You Ever, The Pot Song**, Great Blue Ocean
E: Great Balls of Fire->LA Woman-> Water Under the Bridge

* Solo Andy Sheldon on acoustic guitar
** Solo Sean Kelly on acoustic