Loam

A LOAM Biography 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.

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 caf? 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 caf?s 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 years. 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.