Sam Snyder is a guitar slinging legend on the Rochester scene, most notably as a member of Maybird, but if you’ve seen live music in town for any period of time, you’ve likely seen him play with countless bands. He has the highly unusual method of playing overhand, which is where the more familiar name Overhand Sam comes in. It seems like it would be inhibitive, or perhaps a fun gimmick, but neither is close to the truth. He’ll turn heads first with his style, but his playing commands full attention soon after.
His band, Overhand Sam and Bad Weapon, rose from the ashes of the great Thunder Body. Dennis Mariano and Snyder were both guitarists in that band, and Benton Sillick played trumpet. With Snyder still on guitar, Mariano on drums, and Sillick on bass, the core of Overhand Sam and Bad Weapon was born. They’ve been kicking around town with sporadic shows for years. 2023 however has seen them break out of relative obscurity with more shows, a fuller tighter sound and a greater sense of purpose.
At their headlining show at the Bug Jar on April 29, the Weapons were set to stun. Rounded out with Sam Hirsch on keys and Cooper Alexander on percussion, they took the stage and promptly erupted into a manic flourish of sound. The audience didn’t have much chance to get their bearings. The opening salvo called them into the room like a siren song, but they walked right into a hold-on-for-dear-life situation. The trap set, the prey caught, the band relented and settled it into a nice groove. Spinning heads reoriented into the more comfortable rock n roll head bob.
They weren’t in any rush, letting the grooves completely permeate the room and melt into the appropriately trippy walls and surroundings. Snyder broke in with vocals here and there, but the instruments commanded the night. Mariano’s drums were a maelstrom, pulling and pushing the music into new directions at will. Guitar, bass, keys and percussion swirled into one, sending off a typhoon of psychedelia. Snyder then took control, showcasing his shredding creds with piercing solos. He and Mariano found themselves in cooperative battles, and the victims in the audience were more than happy to submit and surrender.
Songs flowed from one to the next, flipping from jaunty and hooky to manic and driving to rhythmic and rocking. The set consisted mostly from their album, Bad Weapon. Initially out as a limited release vinyl, they just recently re-released it digitally, giving anyone with internet instant access to these stellar sounds. Highly recommended!
Another album recently out that is a must-hear is DM Stith’s Fata Morgana. The singer brought along folk duo Archimedes to present his new tunes, their gorgeous harmonies and sparse guitar accompaniment gave his stellar songs a beautiful rendering on stage.
Stith returned to Rochester during the pandemic after spending time in New York City, eventually working toward the music for the album, which is named for a phenomenon that occurs on Lake Ontario, a sort of mirage appearing just over the horizon, which fit in with the album’s theme of grace in nature. He described Rochester as cozy and welcoming, and that would be a pretty spot on descriptor of the music as well. It was about as lovely a set as you’re going to get at the Bug Jar.
Second up on the evening was Sun Parade, returning to the Bug Jar from their home in Northampton Massachusetts for the first time in many years. Missing their keyboard player, they played as a quartet, two guitars, bass and drums. Overhand Sam was playing from a re-released album, Stith playing from his brand new album, so it was only appropriate that Sun Parade was playing a bunch from their not-quite-out-yet-not-even-quite-finished album. Decades worth of rock influence came together for some catchy and groovy tunes that delighted the crowd. And a delighted and engaged crowd in turn delighted and impressed the band who were genuinely excited at the positive responses to their music. Hopefully they’ll be back a bit sooner this time, with new album in tow.
Each set took on a life of it’s own, it didn’t feel like one was opening for another. It was almost like getting three shows for the price of one, and for twelve bucks that was money well spent!
Overhand Sam and Bad Weapon continue their busy year with a show at Three Heads Brewing on Saturday, May 20. Don’t miss out!
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