The Matt Sams Band

Artist Information

Biography

Back in 2000, a bold new blues group based out of Cocoa took Brevard's live music scene by storm. Co-founded by celebrated guitar whiz, Matt Sams, The Syndicators became wildly popular throughout Central Florida. Although they broke up in 2005, after an impressive five year run, The Matt Sams Band has risen from the ashes.

Led by the dynamic Sams on guitar and vocals, this amazing new act also includes Joe Luley on drums and vocals and bassist, Curt Austin

Joe Luley has been with Matt since the Syndicators' days. He is best known for his time as a "Wino for Peace", with the late blues great, Stephen Allen Miller. Joe is the backbone--and backbeat--of the Matt Sams Band. Whether driving the band into uncharted territory, or keeping the guys locked into a tight groove that the audience can't help but dance to, Joe is one funky white dude.

Curt takes the bass guitar to a new level. Being as versatile as he is, he can lock in the groove or stroll off on the funkiest solo. Curt makes the bass exciting, and throws in some mighty fine vocals, as an added bonus. Moving to Brevard County with the “Spliff Brothers” Reggae Band, over twenty years ago, Curt also performed with such popular local acts as the “Bone Tones”, the “Land Sharks” and the “Puzzlers”.

The members of The Matt Sams Band have shared the stage with such legendary performers as:

Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review
W.C. Handy Award Winner - Bob Stroeger
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Kenny "Beady Eyes" Smith
Sunny Paxon
Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Inductee - Stephen A. Miller
"Chicago" Dave Reilly
Ernie Lancaster
Mark & Lynn Korpi
Heart Attack Diner
Pitch Blue Jam
The Hooligan of Prose

Instrumentation

Matt Sams -- Guitar and Vocals
Joe Luley -- Drums and Backing Vocals
Curt Austin -- Bass Guitar and Vocals

Discography

Live at Lou's Blues

Live CD from the 3rd Annual Stephen Miller Blues Festival. Recorded at Lou's Blues in Indian Harbor Beach, FL. August 2005.

Single: The Grass is Always Greener:
Produced by Tony Smith. (Tony Smith is a talented keyboard player/programmer/producer who first worked in Nashville with Lee Greenwood as musical director and keyboard player. In 1989, he relocated to Los Angeles and spent seven years working with Pop Super-Producer David Foster as a programmer, writer, vocalist, and keyboard player on projects with artists Barbara Streisand, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, Johnny Mathis, Bee Bee and Cee Cee Wynans, Gerald Levert, Chicago, Dolly Parton, All4One and Carole King, just to name a few.)

Single: I Don't Want You:
Also produced by Tony Smith, as part of a 4-song EP, this Matt Sams original will remind you of a great Johnny Winter tune.

Single: Facebook (Mobile)
Another tune produced by Tony Smith, this funky, funny, timely tune (co-written with The Hooligan of Prose) is sure to get you dancing, laughing, and Mark Zuckerburg suing.

Single: Voodoo Highway
Tony Smith produced this Badlands' cover tune. As usual, Matt & the boys put their unique zeitgeist & spin on it, resulting in a live-show favorite, and something to put into your Ipod rotation ASAP!

Official Website

http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=matt%20sams%20band&init=quick&tas=0.24034877003392574#!/pages/The-Matt-Sams-Band/163593717008727

Links

• spacecoast live
• Facebook
• MySpace
• ReverbNation

Audio

• The Grass is Always Greener
  Listen  
• Voodoo Highway
  Listen  
• I Don't Want You
  Listen  
• Facebook
  Listen  
• I Don't Want You
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Sounds of Sams [+ Show ]
  

  Back in 2000 a bold new blues group based out of Cocoa took Brevard's live music scene by storm. Co...Back in 2000 a bold new blues group based out of Cocoa took Brevard's live music scene by storm. Co-founded by celebrated guitar whiz, Matt Sams, The Syndicators became wildly popular throughout Central Florida. Although the broke up in 2005, after an impressive five year run, The Matt Sams Band has risen from the ashes.
  
  From Murdock's to Big Daddy's to Lou's Blues, this amazing new blues power trio has been working the clubs hard for the last few months, and on February 25th, Matt and his boys will triumphantly return to Siggy's, his favorite old stompin grounds in south Brevard for the first time since The Syndicators' meltdown.
  
  Led by the dynamic Sams on guitar and vocals, this amazing new act also includes Joe Luley on drums and vocals and bassist, Kerry Morris.
  
  For Matt, it's all about the music, and his new project performs all the best "diddys" from the likes of B. B. King, Albert Collins, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. However, their repertoire is not just limited to blues classics. The Matt Sams Band also specializes in popular faves from such classic rock "biggies" as Foghat, The Allman Brothers, CCR, Cream, Hendrix, and as they say, much, much more.
  
  Siggy's staff and patrons have been die hard fans of Matt's for a long time now, and they are reportedly psyched and ready to "roll out the red carpet" for the Palm Bay debut of his new ensemble. Also, Matt is currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming live CD which should be in stores by this spring.
  
  by Chris Long
  

• Brevard's Matt Sams Band all tangled up in blues [+ Show ]
  

  A perfect show of roots-bound blues will be on display as The Matt Sams Band takes the stage at Murd...A perfect show of roots-bound blues will be on display as The Matt Sams Band takes the stage at Murdock's Bistro and Char Bar in historic Cocoa Village beginning at 7 tonight. A local favorite since 2005, the band is a blues power trio with a diverse sound and vibrant showmanship.
  
  The band is led by some of the area's most respected musicians, with the band's namesake Matt Sams on guitar and vocals, Joe Luley on drums and vocals and Curt Austin on bass and providing vocals as well. The band performs an exhausting schedule, wedged in between their already hectic work life. Despite the challenges of balancing work, life and the band, The Matt Sams Band continues to provide one of Brevard's most power-packed shows and is an inspiring force on the local music scene.
  
  I spoke with Sams about blues music, the band's future, and the challenges of songwriting. So let's "Shake, Rattle & Know": The Matt Sams Band.
  
  SRK : I've covered a lot of blues bands, and I am always curious to hear their opinions on why blues music doesn't receive mainstream success as other forms of music do?
  
  Sams: That's a tough question. I certainly wish that it did. I think a lot of people associate the blues with an outdated form of music, even though it's the basis of most of the music over the last 50 years. People are still doing it (the blues) and people are still influenced by it.
  
  SRK: How hard is it to get a full sound from only a three-piece band?
  
  Sams: I would have to say it took some time to find our ground. We had to strip down to the basics and make it simple enough where I could play and sing and we fill with the rhythm section to get a full sound. By playing as only a three-piece, you have more space than you do with a larger band, and that space allows you to do things a little different. Not every spot in the arrangement needs to be filled, so the three-piece has a certain vibe to it you don't get with larger bands.
  
  SRK: You're primarily known as a cover band, but you do perform originals. Does the band have intentions to expand its original music repertoire?
  
  Sams: Absolutely. It's an ongoing challenge. We have to write new music. Songwriting is very difficult for me; it does not come naturally, and it feels forced. Curt has experience writing from previous bands he was in. Our schedules make it tough, and a lot of what we come up with is on the fly and evolves from there. The music comes pretty easy, but lyrically is where I struggle. We want to release a CD of all original music, so we will start writing more soon.
  
  SRK: What is the Three Man Electrical Ecclectial Jam you host?
  
  Sams: It's an open mic night we have been doing the last 21/2 years at http://www.thedognbone.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:underline;">The Dog N' Bone (9 p.m. Tuesdays). Even though we are primarily a blues band, we invite all types of musicians and singers to join us. It's open to everyone, and we cover a variety of genres.
  
  SRK: With original songs like "Grass is Always Greener" and "Get Your Raggedy A** Out My Door," you seem to have a rather tongue-in-cheek approach to songwriting. So, what is it that inspires your music?
  
  Sams: It really is tongue-in-cheek. I think most of the songs are inspired by ex-girlfriends. If you look back at music, a lot of blues music is about relationships ending or love gone wrong. It is a good source of fuel for music. As inspiration strikes, we just go with it. Those type songs come easier.
  
  SRK: Your previous band, The Syndicators, had a good following in Central Florida. What ultimately led to that band's demise?
  
  Sams: Having a lot of turnover was the primary reason. It became harder and harder to keep it going. Our musical tastes started to go in opposite directions, also. I wanted to stick to a stricter blues feel, and the band had become more of a show band. We had lost that gritty blues feel.
  
  SRK: What do you think the future holds for The Matt Sams Band?
  
  Sams: We are going to be working on our CD and hope to have that done in a few months. We also want to expand past the Brevard County area and start playing more in the outlying areas. We also would like to start playing festivals and eventually get to a position where we could do some touring.
  
  

Setlist

The number of sets and length of sets will vary depending on the requirements of the venue. Typically, the band will play three 60 minute sets.

Songs may include many of the following, but vary from night to night depending on the venue and audience. In addition, the set list will evolve as additional material is added to the repertoire.

Song Title Artist
1 Diminished Capacity The Matt Sams Band
2 One From Column A The Matt Sams Band
3 Ain't Nuthin but a "D" Thang The Matt Sams Band
4 The Grass is Always Greener ... The Matt Sams Band
5 Get Your Raggedy A$$ Out My Door The Matt Sams Band
6 Fly Your Freak Flag High The Matt Sams Band
7 Better Off Dead The Matt Sams Band
8 New Riviera Stephen A Miller
9 Pipeliner Stephen A Miller
10 Got Frustration Stephen A Miller
11 Get Out of My Life Woman Allen Touissant
12 Something You've Got Unknown
13 If You Love Me Like You Say Albert Collins
14 Honey Hush Albert Collins
15 I'm Leavin You Woman (Commit a Crime) Howlin Wolf
16 Shake For Me Howlin Wolf
17 My Baby's Got It Chris Cain
18 Movin back to Memphis Chris Cain
19 Drinkin Straight Tequila Chris Cain
20 One Way Out Allman Brothers
21 Statesboro Blues Allman Brothers
22 Spooky Atlanta Rhythm Section
23 So Into You Atlanta Rhythm Section
24 Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett
25 Treat Her Right Otis Redding
26 Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett
27 Crossroads Cream
28 Knockin on Heaven's Door Bob Dylan
29 Hoochie Coochie Man Muddy Waters
30 Five Long Years Buddy Guy
31 Tore Down Freddie King
32 Phone Booth Robert Cray
33 Born On a Bayou/Suzie Q Creedence Clearwater Revival
34 My Way Down Chris Duarte
35 Just Kissed My Baby Chris Duarte
36 Big Legged Woman Chris Duarte
37 Drivin South Chris Duarte
38 Thrill is Gone B. B. King
39 Woke Up This Morning B. B. King
40 Born Under a bad Sign Albert King
41 San Ho Zay Freddie King
42 In the Open Freddie King
43 Hide Away Freddie King
44 The Stumble Freddie King
45 Midnight Cannonball Duke Robillard
46 Give Me Back My Wig Hat Hound Dog Taylor
47 Send You Back to Georgia Hound Dog Taylor
48 Standin on Shaky Ground Delbert McClinton
49 Shotgun Jr. Walker & The All Stars
50 Medicine Man Johnny Winter
51 I Love Everybody Johnny Winter
52 I Hate Everybody Johnny Winter
53 Mean Town Blues Johnny Winter
54 Booty Boomerang Sarasota Slim
55 I Wanna Know Sarasota Slim
56 Soothe It Rick Bailey
57 You've Got to Belong Heart Attack Diner
58 I Saw the Light Todd Rundgren
59 Do What You Want Hall & Oates
(Be What You Are)
60 Voodoo Highway Badlands
61 Hey Joe Jimi Hendrix
62 Little Wing/Third Stone From the Sun Jimi Hendrix
63 Voodoo Chile Jimi Hendrix
64 Fire Jimi Hendrix
65 While You're Down There Bob Margolin
66 Cold Shot Stevie Ray Vaughan
67 Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan
68 Crossfire Stevie Ray Vaughan
69 Empty Arms Stevie Ray Vaughan
70 Let Me Love You Baby Stevie Ray Vaughan
71 Texas Flood Stevie Ray Vaughan
72 Say What Stevie Ray Vaughan
73 Lenny Stevie Ray Vaughan
74 Riviera Paradise Stevie Ray Vaughan
75 All Your Love I Miss Lovin Otis Rush
76 Mary Had a Little Lamb Buddy Guy
77 Leave My Little Girl Alone Buddy Guy
78 Messin With The Kid Jr. Wells
79 Goin Down to Big Mary's The Paladins
80 Lollipop Momma Unknown
81 Nothin to Do with Love Kenny Wayne Shepard
82 The Booty Song Little Charlie & The Nightcats
83 Losin Ground Mike Morgan & the Crawl
84 Sawed of Shotgun Mike Morgan & Jim Suhler
85 Ruby Lee Mike Morgan & Jim Suhler
86 Bad Penny Rory Gallagher
87 All About You Sonny Landreth
88 After Dark Tito & Tarantula
89 The Signifyin Monkey Johnny Otis
90 Stormy Monday T-Bone Walker
91 Autumn Leaves Jazz Standard
92 Blue Bossa Jazz Standard
93 All Blues Miles Davis
94 Cissy Strut The Meters
95 Tramp On Your Street Billy Joe Shaver
96 Got My Mojo Workin Muddy Waters
97 300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy Big Twist
& the Mellow Fellows
98. Chitlins Con Carne Kenny Burrell
99. Robert Nighthawk Stomp Ronnie Earl
100. Guitar Hurricane Eddie Jones

Basic Requirements

Calendar