1) an American band formed … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands with this name:
1) an American band formed in Boulder, Colorado, in early 1987
2) a British punk band from Worcester, England, formed in 1978
1. The Samples are an American band formed in Boulder, Colorado, in early 1987. The band's name came from the members' early sustenance of food samples from the local grocery store. The music has been described as "reggae influenced folk and rock/pop". The founding members were Sean Kelly (Guitar/Vocals), Andy Sheldon (Bass/Vocals), Charles Hambleton (guitar), Jeep MacNichol (Drums/Vocals), and Al Laughlin (Keyboards, Vocals). They have not released an album since 2005. Since 2008, they have only performed live sporadically, and sometimes under the name "Sean Kelly and The Samples".
Sean Kelly and Charles Hambleton met in 1985 in Burlington, Vermont at an open mic called The Sheik, leading to the formation of the band Secret City in 1986. After playing together in Burlington for a year, the pair moved to Boulder, CO and met up with Andy Sheldon, a friend and member of a prior band with Kelly. Jeep MacNichol joined the band as drummer after responding to an ad posted at the University of Colorado. After playing around the area, Al Laughlin saw the group perform at a frat party and asked if the group needed a keyboardist, an offer the band accepted.
The band gradually gained fame and released their first self-titled album The Samples on their own label. Following the release, they signed with Arista Records and re-released the same album in May 1989. However, the relationship with Arista was short-lived as irreconcilable differences quickly came up from the label's desire to change their sound. Their contract with Arista was terminated and the band continued to tour unsigned. In 1991, Hambleton left the band to flee to the Caribbean over a heroin charge. He later appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean and was associate producer of the film The Cove.
The Samples continued to tour and released their own self-published album, Underwater People, composed of both studio-recorded and live tracks. The band soon joined the newly-formed independent label, W.A.R.? - What Are Records?. Their records, including "Underwater People" (1992), "No Room" (1992), "The Last Drag" (1993) and "Autopilot" (1994) blended pop sensibility with a mix of folk, reggae, jazz, and rock to create their own signature sound. Sean Kelly, as the main songwriter, wrote songs about nature and the environment giving the band an "eco-friendly" reputation. Sheldon's thumping bass, MacNichol's Stewart Copeland-inspired beats and Laughlin's off-beat reggae chords supported Kelly's inspired songwriting and Sting-like vocals. They became a success throughout 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. 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 with MCA Records and released "Outpost", their 5th studio album. Due to a buyout, MCA was experiencing financial difficulties and significant corporate reshuffling, and, as a result, many small or recently-signed bands were dropped from the label that year. The Samples' contract with MCA was subsequently terminated. The following year, The Samples often toured as a three-piece while Laughlin stayed in Colorado to address his heroin abuse and a robbery charge. He would leave the band shortly thereafter, along with MacNichol who left to pursue a solo career. 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. Since 1997, there have been 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." However, the band continued to play a few shows through 2009. The original five-piece lineup reunited for a show at Mile High Music Festival in 2010 and formed a new lineup and played the Denver Day of Rock. They continued to tour the spring and summer of 2011.
2. The Samples were a UK punk band from Worcester England, formed in 1978.
Sean 'Badger' Taylor - Vocals
Dave Evans - Ld Guitar
Dave Saunders - Rh Guitar
Pascal 'Pecker' Smith - Bass
Tony Allen - Drums
Rick 'Vividhead' Mayhew - Drums
Worcester's finest for nearly 12 years, The Samples played, danced and got very pissed at some 200+ live dates. They played with the likes of The Fall, Blitz, Vice Squad, Discharge etc..and most of the Oi! period Punk bands; anyone who was anybody promised The Samples dates or support slots - only a few came up with the goods. They played at The Lyceum in London, the 100 Club on several occasions and most of the London club venues - always for crap money and flat beer, but that was the fun of it - The Samples always did it for fun, they didn't wantto be trendy or Garry Bushell's favourite 'dish of the week', it wasn't important. Signing to No Future gave The Samples a world-wide audience with letters coming from all over the globe. Dead Hero sold 7,500 and reached the Independent top 10 and 104 in the national chart. Oh what fame! Without a second single or LP, The Samples carried on regardless and played many CND, Anti-Hunt and Animal Liberation gigs. Although not an Anarchist band, The Samples belief was a true Left Wing approach to the world's problems.
As the eighties approached its end, The Samples became 'semi-retired', coming out to play now and again, still managing to attract 200-300 in their home town. The last London gig was supporting Broken Bones. The whole Punk thing became far too pretentious and fashionable - I believe it was someone called Johnny Rotten who said it became 'No Fun' - and how right he was...
Their only single for No Future, "Dead Hero", was coincidently released a week before the Falklands War. A couple of music papers refused to print promotions for the single until a press release was issued explaining that the song was written about the First World War. It went on to sell 7,500 copies. A follow-up single entitled "Nobody Cares" was recorded for No Future, but the label folded before its release.
This is also the incorrect tag for the electronic/glitch-hop artist Samples: http://www.bensamples.com/
Prophet of Doom
The Samples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All alone on the sea just something drifting by
I always will remain somewhat grim about the future
But here I can dream I'm floating by your house
And the water turns to grass and disappears
Somewhere out in space there's a tree with someone underneath
Seeking shade from their sun that I can't even see
But now all around, the sea begins to stir
I'm reminded where I am they disappear
A mile or two below solid ground is waiting for me now
At least I will return to what I'm made of
How can I pretend there's no end sitting in this boat?
All alone and the sea will surely swallow me
I always will believe we still have a future of some kind
But now floating to your door
Floating to your door and the water turns to grass
Floating to your door
The Samples's "Prophet of Doom" is a song that speaks to the uncertainty of the future and one's place in the world. The opening lines, "How can I pretend there's no end sitting in this boat? / All alone on the sea just something drifting by," create a sense of aimlessness and isolation. The singer feels adrift and unsure of what lies ahead, unable to ignore the possibility of a grim future. Despite this, the singer is comforted by the idea of floating by someone's house - this person, and their surroundings, represent a slice of normality and a connection to something tangible.
The second verse progresses into a more cosmic perspective, with the mention of "Somewhere out in space there's a tree with someone underneath / Seeking shade from their sun that I can't even see." Here, the singer is grappling with the great unknown, lamenting their inability to understand or grasp the immensity of the universe. The vivid imagery of "alien moonlight" gives a sense of yearning for something beyond what is currently attainable.
Ultimately, the song comes full circle, with the repetition of the opening lines - "How can I pretend there's no end sitting in this boat? / All alone and the sea will surely swallow me." The singer is back to feeling lost and adrift, but now has an added layer of dread, with the realization that solid ground is waiting below them. Despite this, the singer maintains hope, affirming that they still "believe we still have a future of some kind" and that they are "floating to your door." This notion of seeking refuge at someone's door is akin to searching for connection and community, and provides a glimmer of optimism in an otherwise uncertain world.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I pretend there's no end sitting in this boat?
It's hard to ignore the fact that everything has an end, even when you're on a boat.
All alone on the sea just something drifting by
Feeling isolated and unimportant in the vastness of the sea.
I always will remain somewhat grim about the future
Maintaining a sense of pessimism about what's to come.
But here I can dream I'm floating by your house
Finding solace in the imaginative thought of being near someone they care for.
And the water turns to grass and disappears
In this dream, reality morphs and changes until it fades away.
Somewhere out in space there's a tree with someone underneath
Contemplating the vastness of the universe and the unknown life forms that may exist within it.
Seeking shade from their sun that I can't even see
Imagining the struggle of other life forms in different environments.
I'd like to see their face in alien moonlight
Wondering what the appearance of these unknown creatures might be, and finding it fascinating.
But now all around, the sea begins to stir
Interrupted from thoughts of what could be and reminded of the reality of being in a boat at sea.
I'm reminded where I am they disappear
Reality sets in and the thoughts about the universe, and creatures in it are put aside.
A mile or two below solid ground is waiting for me now
Acknowledging that the boat is only temporary and that they will eventually return to the solid ground.
At least I will return to what I'm made of
Comfort in knowing that they will return to the earth, may be in death.
All alone and the sea will surely swallow me
Feeling helpless and insignificant in the face of nature, with the knowledge that it can easily overpower them.
I always will believe we still have a future of some kind
Remains hopeful that despite the difficulties and uncertainty, there is potential for a positive future.
But now floating to your door
Returning to the thought of someone they care for and the comfort it brings.
Floating to your door and the water turns to grass
In this dream, reality morphs once again, this time to become something more positive and comforting.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK HUSSEY, CHAZ JANKEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dipthongthathongthongthong9691
Holy shit! Thanks so much for this upload. Instant teleport back to a wonderful moment in my life. You’re forever a legend for doing this. 🙏🏻
@kirstenpreus
Isn’t this the best song? These guys were my first concert!
@JeremieBucknife
Hidden gem, just saw Sean singing this on FB live last night. Thanks
@georgesawtooth2214
@Jeremie Buck I can only hear Andy Sheldon singing this song.
@adampotash7145
@@georgesawtooth2214 Wood 🪵 Lays it down 💯. Check out the Samples documentary if you haven’t already. It’s called “ The Greatest Band You’ve Never Heard of”. It’s great.
@markrudis4419
Great tune!