The Samples, a classic Rock Folk group, are one of those bands that I really liked in college with the release of their first album, “Samples” but soon grew distant as I got older and their music remained a bit unchanged for my liking. But last night, 12 years later, I had a chance to go and see them at a small bar in Newton, MA called The Attic and didn’t hesitate to relive some of my youth. Hell, the last time I saw these guys I was probably 19 years old at the Gettysburg College Ballroom all juiced up on some vintage college-style brown and passed out against the wall by the end. This time I stuck to one Guinness and a few too many diet cokes and really enjoyed the show.

The Attic is a small venue located on the top floor of an old brick building in downtown Newton, and based on what I heard and what the lead singer Sean Kelly had to say, the sound was fabulous. Sean’s voice is the key to this band’s sound (though he is surrounded by some unreal musicians) and I was interested in how it had held up over the years. Well, unlike our buddy Courtney from The Dandy Warhols who wobbled a few times a few weeks ago at the Red Hook Show, Sean’s voice was solid from the first note to the last. They played a great mix of old songs as well as a bunch of new one’s from their next album which was just completed last week and will be out in the next few months. One disappointment was them leaving out their most popular tune, “Feel Us Shaking”, even though there were persistent cat calls for it from the crowd. Over all it was great to see these guys still enjoying themselves up there after all these years and I was extremely pleased with the experience.

So if you are in the mood for some great music at a smaller low-key venue for cheap (this is a perfect show to impress a lady friend with) check out The Samples. See their site for details.

Here is the set list and check out this link for a little video that I was able to shoot with my camera last night.

1. Taking Us Home
2. Weight Of The World
3. SuperStar
4. African Ivory
5. Losing End Of Distance
6. Too Young To Die
7. My Guitar
8. Nothing Lasts For Long
9. Lollipop (acoustic)
10. Could It Be Another Change?
11. Black And White
12. Indiana
13. Brown Eyes
14. Silver Ring
15. Heaven
16. World Of Machines
17. Sad World

Snapped: September 29, 2005
Locale: The Attic - Newton, MA
Flickr Set: Live Shows

Enjoy.