Bio
Samuel began in the early 90’s in State College, PA as a queer female-fronted punk rock outfit that relentlessly toured the legendary DIY hardcore/punk circuit alongside notables of the time such as Avail, Promise Ring, Chamberlain, Anti-Flag, Kerosene 454, Texas is the Reason and dozens more. They were the flagship band of drummer Eric Astor’s label Art Monk Construction, which produced some of the most revered 7″ releases of the era.
An untimely break up in 1995 ensured Samuel’s footprint in a long line of early emo/post hardcore legends would remain small albeit memorable, due to powerful live performances and hooky 7” releases capturing a sound that refused to fall neatly into any punk sub genre. Against hard-driving anthems that were equal parts stadium-ready indie rock and spiky angularity, Samuel’s trademark dueling boy/girl harmonies and roaring melodies were a standout. Meanwhile, singer Vanessa Downing’s presence as a young, openly queer woman was contemporaneous with the burgeoning riot grrl movement and inspired women, girls and LGBTQ youth within the DIY/hardcore/punk scene.
Reformed in 2021 as Samuel S.C. with friendships and chemistry well intact, the added S.C. reflecting a new beginning while paying homage to their origins. The band’s 25-years-later 2023 debut LP High Places carried forward the same momentum, emotion, and melodicism of their early underground hits “Lives of Insects” and “Empty and Then Some”. October 2024 saw the next installment in the band’s remarkable lifespan with the the 7″release of “Exit Scene” on Minnesota’s Landland Colportage, featuring two blisteringly energetic, defiantly joyful and only mildly cynical bangers.
Since kicking off an active live show schedule at the 2023 DC Reunion Summer Festival co-headlining with fellow AMC alumni Lincoln, Samuel S.C. has shared the stage with contemporaries including Jawbox, Bed Maker, Continuals, Dead Best, Exit Angles, J. Robbins Band, Savak, Sharkswimmer, Live Skull, and Thalia Zedek Band. They are delighted to make their first appearance at FEST 23.
