We recently that the opportunity of meeting up with the 90s emo legends  Samuel S.C. , previously known as Samuel. We talked about their recently reunion, music and much more!

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First off, I wanted to congratulate you on your reunion! How are you feeling?

Vanessa:

Thanks so much! I’m very excited about everything that’s happening now with the band…at times it feels like a dream. We had talked for a long time about remixing our previously released 90’s material and finding a way to record some of our ‘lost’ songs from back then. That second part – getting together to relearn, rehearse and get back into a studio – took many years to pull together. We’re spread out geographically, missing one original member, etc. But our effort, patience and perseverance paid major dividends, because it has resulted in so much more than what we had originally planned. I don’t think any of us expected that Samuel S.C. would become an active band writing new material, planning live shows, and releasing music again! All of that is incredibly exciting. We also had some good fortune, and supportive and encouraging folks behind the project.

I should add that all of this has given us a wonderful opportunity to rekindle old friendships. Almost 30 years later, we still very much adore each other, have a blast hanging out, and there’s still plenty of creative chemistry between us. We’re obviously (much) older than we were in the 90’s but it’s funny how little some things change. We’re still a bunch of music loving nerds who make fart jokes and talk about the latest tv shows we’re watching. Oh, and how corporate America and conservatives suck. So that aspect of our reunion – our camaraderie – has been really special and fun. Although Josh has not been involved in the new project, his influence is still there, and we would never have reunited without his blessing. A lovely human and enormously talented musician, he’s definitely missed, and will always be a part of the Sam Fam.

With your most recent release of “Static & the Beat” where did you find your inspiration for the song? What would say your favorite line from the song would be?!

Vanessa: The music for Static & the Beat was written almost exclusively by our wildly talented and prolific guitarist/songwriter J. Marinelli.

Backstory – After getting together to record 5 of our ‘original’ Samuel songs, we realized we had something special going…and with the encouragement of Mike Schleibaum (Darkest Hour, Be Well) who ultimately recorded and co-produced High Places, we agreed to craft 3 more songs to make a full-length LP.

J came up with S&TB at his practice space in Norway (where he lives with his wife) and sent us a demo. It had all the classic signature Samuel aspects but with a tighter, less convoluted structure, and it just ripped. Dean and I created a second demo with added guitar bits and vocals, and we knew we had a great new Samuel S.C. song that hit on all cylinders.

In terms of vocal delivery, I wanted something that would match the raw, urgent energy of the song, balanced by a hint of ‘prettiness’ in the more melodic choruses. Musically, it’s a pretty straightforward song with great forward momentum and a healthy dose of grit, so I wanted the vocals to compliment all that.

Lyrically, there are references to the overwhelming sense of discord in our culture, politics, communities…our reliance on technology and tendency to replace meaningful human connection with it. I mean, we have all these ways to express ourselves now, not to mention what seems like a total obsession with self-care, “authenticity”, mindfulness, etc.  – and yet we often struggle to connect in a simple, real-time honest way with one another.  And yet underneath all that fray and noise, which is often determined by whatever is happening in the collective political or cultural or environmental moment, there is still this perpetual “beat” of our core humanity…. a universal desire to connect and experience joy around common denominators such as beauty, children, nature, play, love, humor.

“Static” basically refers to how pervasive and omnipresent consumerism and our obsession with media – among other nasty habits – continue to distract us from what’s really important. We all know it – I’m not saying anything new or original here – we (or I, anyway) just forget sometimes. Of course, I can only speak from my perspective as a white, liberal (with some vaguely radical leanings), middle-aged, middle class gay woman living in the northeast US. Younger people, or folks from different backgrounds or other communities may be experiencing something completely different.

My favorite line is probably “This light will never go out” because it’s hopeful and positive amidst the darker and more cynical content. It’s also a subtle nod to one of my favorite bands of all-time, and my since-passed best friend from long ago who introduced me to them (Take a guess who the band is). Nostalgia can be a powerful source of inspiration, and its all-over High Places. 

You will be releasing 7 of your original songs remixes and remastered, what would you say was the most fun to remix? Do you have a favorite?

Dean:  First of all, it’s a miracle that these tapes survived 27 years and that they’re usable at all. I’m pretty sure we all thought it was a long shot to get this project off the ground. We were hopeful, but these things weren’t sealed in a humidity-controlled vault or anything like that. Plus, Fred (Weaver) used 1/4 tape. That’s pretty thin stuff. Surprisingly, everything came out alright and the tapes were in fine shape. To me, the coolest thing was hearing the banter between songs. Some of it was pretty damn funny. Vanessa making fun of Eric in a goofy voice, James’ guitar flub at the beginning of Common Little Numbers, then responding with a “hi, how are you?” before launching into the second take. Josh’s guitar pickups broadcasting an Asti Spumanti radio commercial at the end of Empty and Then Some. All memories long forgotten. We didn’t include any of that stuff on the reissue, but it was really cool to hear all of it. Man, we were a really close band in those days, and we got to hear some of that love and playfulness between band members. Great stuff.

The new mix definitely adds some heft to the songs. I remember reading 1 review years back that said something like “it’s a shame it sounds like it was recorded in a garbage can”. Ha!  But you have to hand it to Ben. He really brought these songs into the 21st century with his new mix. I mean, there’s only so much you can do with 4 tracks recorded onto 1/4″ tape, but he did a really great job. Common Little Numbers is my new favorite.

I also loved hearing Josh’s isolated guitar tracks. What a fucking brilliant guitar player. Those “twiddly bits” as we like to call them are pure genius. Remember, he was maybe 17 or 18 years old when we first started playing together. He was way ahead of us technique-wise. I’m not sure how much guitar playing he’s doing now, but he’s still to this day one of my favorite guitarists. 100% true.

When you are in a writer’s block or even just having a bad day, how do you get out of it? 

Vanessa:  I’m pretty much in a perpetual state of writer’s block because crafting lyrics has never come easily to me. I’ve never been a ‘journaler’, nor do I write down lyrical ideas without accompanying music in mind. So, for me, the instrumentation almost always comes first. I draw inspiration and direction from the feelings or images the melody and vibe of the music evokes. But deciding what the words should be, the story, the theme, etc. and how they are strung together…that can be tricky, and often takes me weeks or months of stepping away then returning. We often work out song structure as a unit, so that is part of the process too. Zooming out and looking at the song as a whole, not just the words. Oh, and I’m a horrible self-critic so that’s part of it.

The only writer’s block remedies I can name would be listening to lyricists I love or admire and seeking inspiration from their brilliance, or just simply pushing forward and treating lyric writing like a task that must be checked off a list of things to do that day – you know, like laundry haha. Deadlines help! Then things start to shift and open up, and the creativity starts to flow, and it becomes fun, not work.

Who would you say was most inspirational for you along our musical journey? 

James: I’ve always been motivated by outsiders, weirdos, or misfits who’ve overcome adversity to redefine or contribute to the evolution of whatever craft they’re doing. All-time: Iggy Pop, Little Richard, and Daniel Johnston. Recently: Vanessa, Dean, and Eric.

Dean: First of all, James’ journey is waaaay more cooler than mine. Let me get that out of the way. I was always into music. Even from a super young age. I didn’t have many friends, so I lost myself in my records. The Who, The Beatles, Alice Cooper. Those were my big influences starting back in grade school! I remember swapping my copy of The Who’s Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy with my 2nd grade teacher for his copy of Tommy. Yeah, Townshend has always been a superhero to me.

I never really got into punk rock until late high school/early college. I was a metal head in Jr High (mid-80’s) with a sprinkling of early U2. That eventually led me to “alternative” stuff like The Cure and REM, which eventually led me to Public Image Limited, which eventually led me to the Sex Pistols. So, I kind of entered the punk rock scene through the back door.

I had no idea about the underground or emo scene until I met Vanessa. I knew she played in a band that played at the local VFW in State College, but I never dipped my foot into that scene until Samuel’s first show to be perfectly honest. I was amazed that all these kids would cram themselves into these tiny places to see bands. I remember thinking…”how do they all know about this shit?” I didn’t know about ‘zines or anything like that. Samuel pretty much hit the ground running and we started playing a lot of shows. Especially after Eric joined the band and bought the van. So, I became educated pretty quickly.

If you could set up your ideal tour, who would be on it with you? 

James: I have no idea who I’d want to take with us, but it would be fun to see Bob Mould, X, Cheap Trick, or Guided By Voices play every night.

Dean: Hmmm… I guess I should name drop a cool band here, so I won’t. Honestly, I’d go out with anyone as long as we got paid or sold enough merch to buy gas and stay in a hotel. I’m done sleeping on basement floors.

Vanessa: We’re all pretty obsessed with the Plosivs record that came out last year. I’d be stoked to hear those songs every night. And I bet those dudes are a fun bunch!

Just for a little fun:If you could be any fruit or vegetable what would be and why? 

Vanessa: I’m not sure about fruit or vegetables, but Eric would for sure be a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup if he could.

What can we expect from Samuel S.C in the future? 

James: I can assure that we’re gonna have more new music coming down the pike, beyond 94-95 and High Places. We’re also planning some shows in 2023 – we’ll let you know when and where, so stay tuned.

Vanessa: Hitting midlife is a great motivator to get things done….we’re very excited to play live shows, and are already halfway through writing material for a second LP. In many ways this reunion feels like the beginning of something new, and that’s invigorating. We’re stoked!

Is there anything else you would like your fans to know? 

James: Full disclosure: Eric loves his Diamond Dave-era Van Halen, Vanessa loves her hip-hop and Motown, Dean loves his late ‘70s/early ‘80s powerpop and new wave, and I love my reggae and country & western.

Dean: Yes…that Eric is a world class farter. Always has been.