Artist Information
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sam Llanas (born in 1961) is a singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter in several rock and roots rock bands active from the 1980s to the 2000s, including the BoDeans and Absinthe. Sam is known for his unusual and distinctive voice.
Career
Llanas was one of the founding members of the roots rock band the BoDeans, which he formed with high school friend Kurt Neumann in Waukesha, Wisconsin. In 1985, after adding Guy Hoffman (drums) in 1984 and Bob Griffin (bass), the quartet signed a contract with Slash/Warner Records and shortened their name to the BoDeans.
Under the guidance of producer T-Bone Burnett, they entered Hollywood's Sunset Sound Factory in October to record their first album. The critically acclaimed debut Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams was released in 1986. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the band had several singles in the top 40 "mainstream rock" charts. In the mid-1990s, the band had two top 10 songs in the "Adult contemporary" charts.
The BoDeans took some time off in the late 1990s so Neumann and Llanas could record solo albums. Llanas founded Absinthe, with the help of Milwaukee musicians Jim Eannelli (guitars and bass) and Guy Hoffman (formerly of Oil Tasters and Violent Femmes, currently of Radio Romeo). They have released one album, 1998's A Good Day To Die.
Instrumentation
Discography
Studio Albums
Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams (1986) US #115
Outside Looking In (1987) US #86
Home (1989) US #94
Black and White (1991) US #105
Go Slow Down (1993) US #127
Blend (1996) US #132
Resolution (2004) US #196
Still (2008)
Mr. Sad Clown (2010) U.S. #172
Live albums/compilations
Joe Dirt Car (1995) (2 CD live set) US #161
Slash and Burn (2001) (Best of)
The Leftovers (2003) (Rarities collection)
Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst (2005) (2 CD live set)
Videography
Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst (2005) (DVD)
Music videos
She's a Runaway (1986)
Fadeaway (1986)
Only Love (1987)
Dreams (1988)
Good Work (1989)
You Don't Get Much (1989)
Good Things (1991)
Black White & Blood Red (1991)
Closer to Free (1993)
