Samiam is a punk band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1988, the band has released nine full length albums and toured extensively throughout Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan. The band members are Jason Beebout (vocals), Sergie Loobkoff (guitar), Sean Kennerly (guitar, vocals), Chad Darby (bass) and Colin Brooks (drums).
The most recent album Stowaway was released in 2023 by Pure Noise records. Samiam toured in Europe with Hot Water Music and in the US with Bouncing Souls to support the album and released videos for the singles Lake Speed and Crystallized.
Samiam initially was part of the 924 Gilman punk scene in the late-80s/early 90s and released their first 7” I Am on Lookout Records. Their first three albums - (self-titled), Soar and Billy were all released on New Red Archives. The band toured a lot during this period with similar little-known bands like Green Day, Jawbreaker and Seaweed.
In 1993, Samiam signed to Atlantic Records and released the album Clumsy. The band did several successful tours including with Bad Religion and recorded a follow-up album but was dropped before its release, which put Samiam in a state of limbo for several years. Finally in 1997, they regained control of the recording, You Are Freaking Me Out, which was released jointly by Burning Heart Records and the now-defunct Tommy Boy subsidiary Ignition Records in 1997.
In 2000, Samiam signed to Hopeless Records and released Astray, followed several years afterwards by Whatever’s Got You Down (2006) and Trips (2012) before moving to Pure Noise and releasing the aforementioned Stowaway.
Back on the Streets: Cleveland's Punk Veterans Reignited and Ready
From the edge of Cleveland in 1991, childhood comrades Matt Fish and Ben Wrecked began a musical journey. Propelled by their shared passion for punk, rock, metal, and a touch of mischief, their journey was marked by bassist lineup changes, fervent local and regional gigs, and a series of independent releases that garnered a dedicated following. Their alliance with Dead Beat Records and Runt Records in their early years helped set the stage for what was to come.
By 1996, the ensemble found its rhythm with Mike Slapface joining on bass. Their signature blend of aggressive yet melodic tunes found a home at Dr. Strange Records. Releases like the full-length “Youngsters” / DSR #69 and collaborations with label mates, notably Zoinks!, solidified their place in the punk rock scene. The addition of Brett Moore on second guitar further enriched their sound, leading to extensive tours across the US and Europe alongside bands like The Bollweevils, Zoinks!, The Gain, and The Feds. However, as the 90s drew to a close, the band took a step back, marking the end of an era in 1998.
Yet, 2023 brings a renaissance. The original comrades, joined again by guitar wizard Brett Moore and seasoned Cleveland musician Peter Woodward on bass, are rekindling their fiery spirit. With a new album slated for 2024 and plans to grace stages locally, regionally, and internationally, the band is poised for a triumphant return. As they gear up to reignite their iconic sound, fans old and new can expect a resurgence of their infectious passion and energy.
The next chapter awaits, and it promises to be electrifying.
