Samuel S.C. Returns with New Single After Almost 30 Years
Words by Hannah Kozak / Photos by Organic Photography
Samuel S.C. (formerly Samuel) was born in late ‘93 when vocalist Vanessa Downing, guitarist Josh Deutsch, drummer Eric Astor, bassist Dean Taormina (and later guitarist James Marinelli) began practicing in a basement off South Burrowes Street in State College, PA. The band went on to tour nearly non-stop between 1993 and 1995, and they shared stages with legendary bands such as Anti-Flag, Chamberlain, Dillinger Four, and Avail. Despite all the success and popularity they seemed to gain, the band broke up only weeks before they were set to record their debut LP in 1995.
After almost 30 years, Samuel S.C. is back with a new single, “Static & the Beat,” and an upcoming debut LP, High Places, due in early 2023. The band also chose to officially change their name from Samuel to Samuel S.C. to reflect a new era for the group and pay homage to their roots in State College. Downing states the band’s reunion wasn't necessarily intended to produce a full album, but rather to capture some old songs that the band never had a chance to record.
“High Places began as a simple desire to finally capture on record a few songs that had been lost to our untimely breakup in 1995,” Downing explains. “The project swiftly turned into something more urgently present – a fresh, creative effort between longtime friends who came back to the songwriting table with greater assets: life experience, keen self-awareness, and a honed artistic vision accompanied by skills to match. Re-grouping successfully has required patience, perseverance, and maturity – traits that were largely absent in our early 20’s, but benefit us greatly now.”
Samuel S.C. initially left behind a legacy that has only intensified over the last three decades. The band is at times credited for pioneering the melodies and harmonies now used in bands like Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. “Static & the Beat” still has the mix of indie influence and punchy punk that old fans of Samuel from the 90s will love and expect from the band. When compared to older songs like “Lives of Insects,” “Static & the Beat” definitely still sounds like the band but with a more refined feel. With an emo/punk revival surfacing, “Static & the Beat” is also a great introduction to the band for younger generations that may not have been around in the 90’s.
The 90’s also gave birth to the riot grrrl movement and early stages of third wave feminism. The two, almost working hand-in-hand, began creating a space in music (especially punk) for women to feel sexually liberated, fight back against mysogyny in male-dominated genres, and promote LGBTQ+ acceptance through underground press and music. Downing’s presence as a young, openly queer woman at the time undoubtly helped pave the way for other women and young queer people in DIY and punk.
“Samuel played such a special part in my life, and reviving the band with brand new music has been an absolute and totally unexpected joy,” says Downing. “We are beyond excited and feel this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”
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