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/
Smile for the Camera
The Samples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The prettiest eyes were closing
From every picture that I ever knew
It never looked like you were posing
Norma, smile for the camera
I wasn't around to ever understand
Was that you crying in the California sand?
The fuse was lit and time was burning
Norma, smile for the camera
Norma, smile for the camera
So many years have now gone by
And your commodity sales are doing fine
Norma, smile for the camera
Norma, smile for the camera
The Samples's song Smile for the Camera is a nostalgic ode to a woman named Norma who the singer knew years ago. The song begins with a reference to the year 1962 and how the singer remembers the moments when Norma was present. It is evident that the presence of Norma made everything a little brighter as he mentions that every picture he ever saw of Norma did not look like she was posing. As the chorus comes into play, the singer addresses Norma directly telling her to smile for the camera. The second verse appears to be a reflection of the past; the singer laments that he wasn't able to grasp how fast the world was turning, suggesting missed opportunities to appreciate the happy moments. The reference to California suggests that Norma and the singer may have both gone to the state to seek new journeys. The song then ends with the singer acknowledging that a lot of time has elapsed since then, and how Norma is currently living is unknown, but he assumes that her business is thriving.
Line by Line Meaning
In the summer sun of 1962
The song sets the scene back in 1962, during the summer months
The prettiest eyes were closing
Despite the beautiful summer day, someone's eyes were closed in every picture taken.
From every picture that I ever knew
The singer recalls every picture they have ever seen and this trend has always occurred.
It never looked like you were posing
Even with every picture being taken of Norma, it never looks like she is posing for the camera.
Norma, smile for the camera
The artist urges Norma to smile for the camera so that she doesn't look like she is sleeping in every picture.
I wasn't around to ever understand
The singer admits not being there to understand everything that had happened.
Just how fast this world was turning
The world was changing rapidly, and it felt like things were moving too quickly for the singer to keep up with.
Was that you crying in the California sand?
The artist suspects that someone was crying in a place called California sand.
The fuse was lit and time was burning
The world kept moving forward, and the artist felt like time was running out.
So many years have now gone by
Years have gone by since all this happened.
And your commodity sales are doing fine
Norma is now doing okay in life, thanks to her successful commodity sales.
Norma, smile for the camera
The artist urges Norma to smile again, even though things are looking up for her now.
Norma, smile for the camera
The singer repeats the phrase, implying that Norma should always be ready to smile for the camera, despite the odds.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cckzdt
One of my favorate songs to listen to.Play it live.SAMPLES
Art Brostrom
I love this song.
Rob Herb
The Last Drag.
So many emotions. Love. Life. Friendships. RIP Doug, Miss you brother
Billy Mays
This is awesome. -From a Senecal
Winthrop Frame
Such a very pretty, face without the glitz of makeup. ALwys Be one’s self without the glitz of makeup. You will become an understanding best you can be happy person. Remember happiness comes within one’s self. Then you will go far in the joys of LIFE.