“What makes us unique is that we never intended to be a band,” admits Frank Backgammon, guitarist and lead singer of The Sammies. “I’d play guitar when I was younger and people would cringe and ask me to stop." It must have come as a pleasant surprise to Backgammon then, that the band’s 2006 debut earned critical praise and landed song placements in the major motion picture "Employee of the Month" as well as NBC’s “Friday Night Lights.”

“When people started asking us to play, and actually came out to shows,” says Backgammon humbly, “I was shocked.”

Yet it’s their live shows that have helped the band develop a rabid fan base. “We could power small cities with all the energy that is gathered at our live shows,” says Backgammon. “They’re loud, spastic and at times, semi-possessed.”

It’s that attitude that The Sammies aim to capture on their sophomore effort, Sandwich. Recorded at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium, Sandwich draws from the band’s multitude of influences including punk, indie, southern and classic rock. Easter has recorded albums for the likes of R.E.M., Pavement and Wilco and as Backgammon says, “We were just awed to be working in a place where the bands we adore have worked!”

Co-founded by Frank and younger brother Donnie Yale, The Sammies grew up in rural Wadesboro, NC. Initial jam sessions took place when Frank was home for long weekends from school at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As the band began to gig locally they picked up close friend and guitarist Bobby Freedom. Shortly, they caught the ear of MoRisen Records, who quickly signed the band and soon had them in the studio recording their debut. Produced by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, The Breeders), the album reached the Top 5 on four of CMJ’s music charts and secured licensing deals for several major motion pictures and multiple TV series.

With their second effort, The Sammies will be moving forward with a slightly different lineup adding bassist Conrad Vacation, another long time friend.
And so here The Sammies are, a band that never intended to be a band. As Backgammon puts it simply, “You don’t have to be Clapton, you just have to be you and have fun. So what if you don’t hold your pick the right way or you can’t read music. Hendrix played the guitar upside down, and I think he was pretty good at it.”

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