The Matt Sams Band

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 Live

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.

- Mike Nunez for Florida Today

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.

- Mike Nunez for Florida Today