Samhain (band)
Samhain | |
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Background information | |
Genres |
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Years active | 1983–1987 (changed their name to Caroline |
Spinoffs | Danzig |
Spinoff of | Misfits |
Past members | Glenn Danzig Steve Zing Eerie Von Pete "Damien" Marshall London May John Christ Brian Baker Lyle Preslar |
Samhain (pronounced "Sah-vehn" or "Sah-when") was an American
After the Misfits' contentious 1983 dissolution, Samhain became Danzig's full-time band.Samhain catalogs a transitional period in Glenn Danzig's musical career, bridging the gap between the
Both Samhain and its successor, Danzig, use the same horned skull image originally drawn by artist Michael Golden for the cover of the 1984 comic book The Saga of Crystar No. 8, published by Marvel Comics. The font often used in the wordmarks of Samhain, and later Danzig, is taken from the film The Giant Gila Monster. Danzig took the name of the band from the Irish month of November and pre-Christian, Celtic festival Samhain, the origin of the modern Halloween. The band's name is often mispronounced by fans as "sam-hane"; however, the correct Irish pronunciation is "sau-win". Glenn Danzig correctly pronounces the word in some of the band's lyrics, but pronounces the name of the band "sam-hane".
Samhain released two full-length albums and one EP during their three-year career as an active band. Danzig has said that he wrote two songs ("Death Comes Ripping" and "Bloodfeast") with the intention of using them on the first Samhain album, but instead recorded them with the Misfits for the Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album in order to round out that band's final series of recordings and release a full album.[2]
History
Original run (1983–1990)
Samhain's debut album,
In 1985, Samhain released their only EP,
In 1986, Samhain was signed by
In 1990, Samhain's final album,
When the
Reunions (1999–2014)
The band briefly reunited in November 1999 to celebrate the release of the
Samhain would reunite again in October 2011 and 2012 as part of a series of shows called the Danzig Legacy performances. The shows consisted of a set from Danzig, Samhain, and a set of Misfits songs with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein. Both London May and Steve Zing were part of this reunion.
Samhain reunited for the fourth time to play Riot Fest in September 2014.[7] At that show, they played their debut album Initium in its entirety.[8] The band also played a series of West Coast and East Coast shows from September to November.[6] Peter Adams of the bands Baroness and Valkyrie handled guitar duties.
Another partial reunion took place in 2011 on the Danzig Legacy television special during a set of Samhain songs; "Samhain", and "To Walk the Night". The lineup remained the same with London May and Steve Zing sharing bass and drum duties, and with Tommy Victor playing guitar.
Style
Samhain has been classified as
Sometimes, Glenn Danzig could be seen donning a bizarre horned leather S&M mask, and occasionally he and his bandmates went onstage covered in blood.[12] Danzig would play guitar on live performances of the song "Archangel", while the regular guitarist strapped on a bass guitar to perform a second bassline.[3]
Members
- Glenn Danzig – vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums (1983–1987, 1999, 2011–2012, 2014)
- Eerie Von – bass (1983–1987), drums (1983)
- London May – drums (1985–1987, 1999, 2011–2012, 2014), bass (1999, 2011–2012, 2014)
- Pete "Damien" Marshall – guitar (1984–1986)
- Steve Zing – drums (1983–1985, 1999, 2011–2012, 2014), bass (1999, 2011–2012, 2014)
- John Christ – guitar (1987)
- Brian Baker – bass (1983)[13]
- Lyle Preslar – guitar (1983)[14]
Touring musicians
- Todd Youth – guitar (1999; died 2018)
- Tommy Victor – guitar (2011–2012, 2014)
- Peter Adams– guitar (2014)
Session musicians
- Al Pike – bass (1983)
- Lyle Preslar – guitar (1984)
- Chuck Biscuits – drums (1990)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Initium (1984)
- Samhain III: November-Coming-Fire (1986)
- Final Descent (1990)
- EPs
- Unholy Passion (1985)
- Compilation albums
- Box Set(2000)
- Live albums
- Samhain Live '85–'86 (2001)
References
- ^ "Eerie Von Interview – BLANKMANinc". October 15, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ a b Cipollini, Christian. "Glenn Danzig – Horror Business". Penny Blood. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
- ^ a b Byron Coley and Jimmy Johnson (October 27, 1984). "Samhain Interview". Forced Exposure. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
- ^ "Samhain: November-Coming-Fire". AllMusic.
- Seconds. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
- ^ a b Gentile, John (July 17, 2010). "Samhain announces more dates". Punknews.org. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "Riot Fest breaks out in Toronto, Chicago and Denver". USA Today. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ "SLAYER, JANE'S ADDICTION, SAMHAIN, THE OFFSPRING To Perform Entire Albums At Chicago's RIOT FEST". Blabbermouth.net. May 15, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ "11 Rock + Metal Bands You Won't Find on Spotify". Loudwire. February 2022.
- ^ Rettman, Tony (November 14, 2017). Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History.
- ^ a b c Torreano, Bradley. "Samhain – Final Descent review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
- ^ Samhain Live 85-86 (Videotape). E-Magine Records. September 5, 2000.
- ^ Rettman, Tony (November 14, 2017). Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History.
- Blabbermouth. November 17, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2019.