N.C.’s The Sammies Fix a “Sandwich”

Quite possibly the best band currently operating in North Carolina. Quite.

By Fred Mills

Whattaya get when you combine such dubiously-phrased monikers as Frank Backgammon, Donnie Yale, Conrad Vacation and Bobby Freedom? Why, Charlotte’s Sammies, of course! Sandwich, their sophomore effort, will drop Sept. 23 on MoRisen, the same label that issued their well-received 2006 self-titled debut.

Recorded in Kernersville, NC at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium, it was produced by Ben Holst (Drive-By Truckers), Billy Bennett (Drive-By Truckers, The Whigs) and The Sammies. The label describes it as a “fusion of classic rock, early punk and indie rock” featuring 13 new songs including “Golden Sun,” “In the Basement,” “Treat Her Like a Queen,” and “Old Grey.” The band has already lined up some pre-album release gigs in and around the South (dates listed below) — their live shows are pure firestorms — and you can expect the full-court push when the album hits stores.

Meanwhile, over at the band’s MySpace site you can check out some samples of the new material, notably the Who-meets-Plimsouls anthemism of “Sleep In My Clothes” and the glam-slam sonic KISS that is “Treat Her Like A Queen.” Goddam, this is a good band. Way back when BLURT was still known as Harp, we advised you thusly:

“North Carolina’s the Sammies are a quartet of self-proclaimed country boys whose idea of roots music is more Echo and Iggy than Johnny and Willie. The music is supercharged beer-and-babes rock, but the Sammies draw inspiration from so much of the rock ’n’ roll canon they’re impossible to pin down. Their party-perfect debut romps through double-time Ramones tempos, spiky post-punk, Stooges ’tude, AC/DC power riffs, DEVO robot rock, Byrds jangle and early Roxy Music textures.”

We still stand behind that description. Sam on!

Sammies Tour Dates:

Jul 25 2008      9:00P

            Barley’s Taproom        Knoxville, Tennessee

Aug 1 2008     9:00P

            Grey Eagle      Asheville, North Carolina

Aug 9 2008     9:00P

            Visulite Theater           Charlotte, North Carolina

Aug 23 2008   9:00P

            Raleigh Downtown Live | The Pour House    Raleigh, North Carolina

Sep 6 2008      9:00P

            The Hummingbird       Macon, Georgia

Sep 9 2008      9:00P

            The Pour House Music Hall    Raleigh, North Carolina

Sep 13 2008    9:00P

            The Soapbox Lounge Wilmington, North Carolina

Sep 19 2008    9:00P

            Tasty World!   Athens, Georgia

Sep 20 2008    9:00P

            The Nick         Birmingham, Alabama

Oct 17 2008    8:00P

            Duke - Campus Concert Series           Durham, North Carolina