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As their cryptic name implies, Loam is a band that defies easy categorization.
A band that refuses to be pinned down, boxed in, or labeled in any way.
Yet, for the sake of this biography, we'll do our best. Imagine the lyrical
poetry of the great folk songwriters, the killer hooks and harmonies of
the great '60s pop/rock groups, and the raw, unbridled energy of the great
alternative rock bands. We're getting closer. A band that revels in diversity
while creating a sound that's uniquely their own. Intent on making modern
music while honoring the great musical traditions of the past. A band that
can play all electric at a club on Friday night, and strip down to an acoustic
act for a café show on Saturday night, without losing anything in
the translation. OK. You get the idea.
Loam was conceived in the Spring of 1994 as a seed in the minds of Frank
Lee Drennen [vocals, guitar], a hard working solo Folkie, and his roommate,
Chris Pacilio [guitar, vocals]. Frank had spent a summer as sideman for
ex-Alarm guitarist, Dave Sharp, and been a member of two acoustic duets
("The Homer Gunns" with Byron Nashe and another with John Katchur)
but, at the time, was taking his solo act to coffee shops and cafés
around San Diego. Chris had played with a number of punk and alternative
bands including Cheese Shoppe, with future Loam bassist Clark Stacer [bass,
vocals]. These two talented musicians then hooked up with Stacer, who was
working with local blues great Robin Henkel. After a few gigs as a trio,
Trace Smith [drums] (of The Shambles and Buick McKane) was called in for
the band's first and only drummer audition. The four of them spent the next
week and a half writing new material and arranging some of Frank's solo
music into full-blown band songs before playing their first full band show.
San Diego's pseudo-Seattle grunge scene was knocked on its collective behind
when Loam brought their fresh, earthy sound to the clubs during the summer
of '94. During that first year, Loam played venues such as the Whiskey in
L.A., the Belly-Up Tavern, SOMA Live, the San Diego Coach House, and the
Casbah. They opened twice for Warner Brothers recording artists The Williams
Brothers, and appeared numerous times on 91X Loudspeaker, 92.5 The Flash's
Local Band Spotlight and 95.7 KUPR's Locals Only.
In September of '94, a mere three and a half months after the band's formation,
they recorded their first CD MEGA . This 7-song EP, recorded live at Club
Megalopolis, captured their young talent and raw emotion in a very honest
and compelling manner.
During the Spring of 1995, the band hired a brilliant young engineer and
began recording their first full-length project, Stereoscopic, in their
turn-of-the-century apartment in downtown San Diego.
Loam was honored by the San Diego Music Awards during the summer of 1995.
They were nominated in two categories: "Best New Artist" for the
band as a whole and "Best Local Recording" for MEGA. In the fall
of '95, the San Diego Union-Tribune hailed them as one of the top 10 up-and-coming
bands in San Diego.
Stereoscopic was released March 4th, 1996 on STUNT Records, to rave reviews
( the San Diego Union Tribune gave it four stars, their highest rating!),
great college and local radio airplay, and enthusiastic support from fans
and industry insiders alike. Their CD-release parties at Brick-by-Brick
and Java Joe's drew over 500 people.
The summer of '96 proved fruitful as Loam played showcases in L.A. and San
Diego for major label A&R reps and was once again nominated twice by
the San Diego Music Awards, this time for "Best Adult Alternative Band"
and "Best Local Recording" for Stereoscopic, which they won. In
August, 95.7 KUPR, San Diego's commercial Adult Alternative station added
their single "Spellbound" into regular rotation. This past year
they've opened shows for Graham Parker, the Figgs, Low, The Connells, Ashley
MacIsaac, the Low & Sweet Orchestra, and the Rugburns.
As for the future, Loam plans on some slow steady growth over the next few
months. The priorities are: deepening their roots, widening their audience.
attracting some national attention and promoting their new record. From
there the sky's the limit. They'll just keep on watering and see what grows.
Our new sticker!! Get it at our shows!
cover art for the new Loam release "Stereoscopic"- STUNT - March
4. 1996
Call us for more info. Hotline—619-515-HICK.
SLAMM Magazine- Feb. 21, 1996
***
Loam's new release, to quote the back wall of Java Joe's, ROCKS! these local
favorites have managed to create an album that is both lyrically and musically
solid. Each of the eleven tracks showcase various facets of the band, giving
the listener a joyride through the many landscapes of folk rock. From the
opening promise of "Love without expecting..." in "Love Without
Fear" to the closing sentiment "...In our hearts we can fly",
Loam delivers the fully human experience of love and loss suffered by those
brave enough to live it.
Musically, Loam benefits from a pumped up sound with the addition of harmonica
and Hammond organ on several of the tracks and the results are winning.
Check out this great work by one of San Diego's better bands and then get
yourself out to their next live show, where you are sure to be dazzled and
delighted.
—Tami Rapozo
The San Diego Union-Tribune, Night & Day, Mar. 21, 1996
****(highest rating)
Homespun harmonies and mood-dripping guitar licks rally around Frank Lee
Drennan's vocals on this shimmering, melodic offering- a master stroke,
really- from El Cajon's very own.
Drennan's harmonica bolsters the already obvious Neil Young influences:
lap steel guitar and piano, mournful ballads and guitar fills to kill for.
Also apparent throughout is Loam's fascination for sweet harmonies and Beatle-esque
pop arrangements. But it's the Fab Four as seen through the likes of Crowded
House ("Love Without Fear"), Squeeze ("Moonflower")
or Matthew Sweet ("Spellbound," "Desperate Means").
The feel of open country permeates these glimpses of Americana, but so does
a sense of longing, a loneliness from which there's no escape.
Ben Moore's flourishes of Hammond organ and Wurlitzer electric piano complete
Loam's swirling, near-liquid landscape, which includes the haunting, ethereal
and captivating instrumental "Porcelain"- presented delicately
on the strings of a lap steel.
—James Healy
Click here to go to the band's own home page: http://www2.connectnet.com/~loamfan/index.html
Want to see some cool pictures of our CD-release party? Click here