The Sammies

The energetic rock & roll foursome known as the Sammies originates from North Carolina, with its lineup consisting of Frank Backgammon on guitars and vocals, brother Donnie Yale on drums and vocals, Gymmy Thunderbird on bass, and Bobby Freedom on guitar as the replacement for Murphy Upshaw. Local label MoRisen signed the group and released its self-titled debut album, helmed by producer John Agnello of Dinosaur Jr. and the Breeders, during June 2006. Later that year selections appeared on the Employee of the Month soundtrack, while a track also surfaced in the film Happily N'Ever After and further cuts aired on the television series Friday Night Lights and Las Vegas. For the follow-up effort Sandwich, issued September 23, 2008, Gymmy Thunderbird gave way to another pseudonymous bassist, Conrad Vacation.