“The Best Band You Never Heard Of” is the name of a 2011 documentary about The Samples, a rock group that was part of the jam scene in the late 1980s and 1990s and went on to experience a career with more twists and turns than your favorite mystery novel.

If you want to discover this best band you have never heard of, The Samples will be at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. Will Bradford (of SeepeopleS) and Sparxsea (duo set) will open the show.

Of course, if you followed the jam scene at the time, you would have heard of the Samples. Singer-songwriter Sean Kelly, guitarist Charles Hambleton, and bassist Andy Sheldon founded the group in 1987 in Boulder, Colorado, along with keyboardist Al Laughlin and drummer Jeep MacNichol.

They took the name The Samples because they were getting by eating samples from their local King Soopers grocery store.

Early on, the band established a strong following based on the strength of their jam-heavy live performances. The Samples were especially a hit with the college crowd, who would tape their shows and share them with friends. Listeners responded to their original compositions, reggae-tinged sound, and Kelly’s soaring vocals. Critics often described the band as a blend of the Police and the Grateful Dead, but their sound was more complex than that.

Their self-titled debut was independently released and later re-released in 1989, when they signed with the major label, Arista Records. The disc features a mix of melodic songs that tackle a range of topics, from environmental issues to senseless wars.

Their career was on the rise until they discovered that working with a major label wasn’t all they had hoped for. The label didn’t support the album the way the band had hoped, and ultimately, the men in suits wanted to change The Samples’ sound. The band split with Arista in 1991 and quickly signed with What Are Records, releasing their second album, “No Room,” in 1992.

However, touring remained the primary source of their success, as their following continued to grow.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

My Turn: Housing referendum — How much more subsidized housing can Greenfield afford?

New owners at Shelburne’s Kenburn Orchards look to maintain historic property’s heritage

Small fire threatens fifth-wheel trailer in Heath

Orange man, 35, dies in crash

Cleary Jewelers issued order to vacate Greenfield store by Aug. 23

Greenfield’s Camelot Cat Cafe opening Friday

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

They were devoted road dogs and included frequent stops in western Massachusetts, where they even released a live disc from a local show, “Live From Deerfield Academy,” in 1993.

“Both Pearl Street and the Iron Horse hold many, many fond memories,” Kelly wrote in a recent email regarding The Samples’ many visits to Northampton. “I used to go to the science store up the street and buy microscopes.”

In 1993 and 1997, the Samples were featured on the H.O.R.D.E. tour, which included such bands as the Allman Brothers, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Blues Traveler, and the Dave Matthews Band. Many of the bands from this jam circuit would go on to achieve mainstream success, including the Dave Matthews Band, which frequently opened for The Samples.

And while that same brass ring seemed within reach of The Samples, this kind of success eluded them as they didn’t get the break they needed to take their career to the next level. But as the years went on, they continued to make music and tour, surviving lineup changes, working with different record labels, and enduring other hardships. However, Kelly, as the frontman of the group, was determined to keep it going.

He is now working with a lineup that has been together for four years and includes original bassist Andy Sheldon. They continue to tour and have plans for a new album, which will be the band’s 20th release.

“We’re in the works right now. I have so many new songs, and it will be nice to start the process,” Kelly said about the band’s next recording, one that they will release themselves. “We had no luck with labels, do it yourself is my motto.”

What can concertgoers expect at Friday night’s show?

“Expect a wonderfully sonic and melodically enjoyable evening,” said Kelly. “We don’t drink anymore, so it will sound tighter than ever!”

All ages. Tickets at sheatheater.org

It will be an evening of adventurous, boundary-pushing psychedelic music when Vimana and Wet Tuna perform at Peskeompskut Park in Turners Falls on Thursday, July 17, at 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The trio Vimana, based in Montague, features Leo Hwang on guitar, Brian Rodrigues on bass, and Bruce Todd on drums. Their instrumental sound combines elements of psychedelic rock, funk, and jazz. Wet Tuna, from Vermont, is the project of guitarist Max Valentine, who has collaborated with various artists throughout his career. Their music is often described as a blend of psychedelic rock, experimental folk, and jam music.

All you need to bring is a chair or blanket, and a picnic if you choose. The concert is free.

Also happening in Turners Falls this weekend is Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Saturday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a five-time Grammy award-winning group that blends South African vocal traditions, rich harmonies, and movement to create an uplifting a cappella performance. The group was founded in 1960 by the late Joseph Shabalala and is best known for its work on Paul Simon’s 1986 album, “Graceland.”

Hot dogs and music, now there’s a combination that goes together. The folks at Tom’s Famous Long Hot Dog and Grill, located on 61 State Road in Whately, obviously feel the same way, as they are hosting an all-day free music festival on Saturday, July 19, from 12 to 9 p.m.

There will be 12 bands playing, and the lineup includes Reverend Dam and the Dirty Catechism, The Colony Motel, Crowrider, Tidy Sum, The Urojets, Treefort, The Claudia Malibu, The Original Cowards, Storm the Ohio, Eyrie House Ruins, Uncomfortables, and Trash Panda Kill Kill. ,

The festival is all ages, and no pets are allowed.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.