Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam
I stumbled across this band back in the 80's by reading a review in KERRANG! one of metal's finest publication from the U.K. Although during the Grunge age KERRANG! wasn't as colorful as in the 80's. Funny I had to read a British magazine to introduce me to Uncle Sam who are from the States in Rochester, New York.
I don't know much about them other than a few articles I have collected through out the years.
Uncle Sam spokesman guitarist Larry Miller who resembles Slash with the influences of the 70's bands such as Alice Cooper, MC5, Iggy Pop & The Stooges. The other members include singer Scott Cessna comes across as the closest thing to Alice Cooper vocals. Bass player Dave Gentner who later takes over lead vocals on their second album. Drummer G. Avery Brisk who leaves after their return too the States to get replaced by Jeff Man on their second album as well.

Uncle Sam has been known to get the audience involved in the show and will go to lengths to get a reaction. It could be letting loose live rats or dumping popcorn all over them. Due to these actions they have been blacklisted from many clubs. Uncle Sam have put out only three albums which is a shame cause these recordings are better than bands that have major label deals.
I have recently found out that singer Dave Gentner is in a band called The Veins. So far they have 2 CDs out
'The Glorious Sounds of The Veins' from '97 and 2003 'Hollywoodland' release. You can find The Veins CD through www.interpunk.com. As for the where abouts of Larry Miller and other members I have yet to find out. Only thing I can say is Larry Miller is included in the "Thanks" credits of both The Veins CDs.

So on with the following Uncle Sam recordings...Any questions on these albums or the band feel free to email me at evenspot@yahoo.com please subject head Uncle Sam. Thanks.

Heaven or Hollywood 1987 - Skeller Records
1. Live For Today
2. Don't Be Shy
3. Alice D.
4. No Reason To Live
5. The Candyman
6. Don't You Ever
7. All Alone
8. Peace of Mind, Piece of Body
9. Under Sedation
10. Heaven Or Hollywood
11. Steppin Stone*
12. Train Kept A'Rollin*
* bonus tracks on CD

This first album from Uncle Sam produced by Bob Martin is amazing. I will quote you the label that was pasted over the cover of the limited nude model posing on this CD re-issue cover. "KKKKK's...an Lp that combines the pure and deadly delicious raw power of the original Cooper outfit at their most frenetic, with MC5, the Stooges an maybe just a tantalizing hint of the Cramps an the Dolls...makes Guns n' roses 'Appetite for Destruction' sound like 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm's Greatest Hits'." - Ray Zell, Kerrang

'Heaven or Hollywood' released on Skeller label in 1987 gives you the best release from this band. In an interview from a Kerrang article Larry Miller says of 'Heaven or Hollywood' "...I mean, it was said that our album could fit between 'Love It To Death' and 'Killer', but I don't think even they could have put out an album that would fit there. I don't think anyone could..."

The line up on the first album goes:
SCOTT CESSNA on lead vocals, G. AVERY BRISK on drums, LARRY MILLER on guitar and DAVE GENTNER on bass.

'Live For The Day' starts off like a MC5 song very fast furious 2:25 time. 'Don't Be Shy' is one of my favorite tunes w/ jamming guitars. 'Alice D' is a play on words which sounds like LSD. 'No Reason Why' is another 1:55 song that'll just drain you. 'The Candyman' is a demented song that Alice Cooper could of sung. 'The CandyMan' reminds me of the Child Collector from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
'Under Sedation' gives a little tribute to Alice Cooper as Scott starts reeling 'Under Sedation' he switches to singing 'Under My Wheels' then back to 'Under Sedation'. As 'Heaven or Hollywood' was from their visit to L.A.

The CD comes w/ bonus tracks 'Steppin Stone' by The Monkees and 'Train Kept A'Rollin'.

Letters From London 1990 - Skeller Records
1. Letters From London
2. Whiskey Slick
3. Dreams of Money
4. Red Shirt
5. Stranger
6. Good Bye Mr. Mary
7. Crystal
8. Ain't No Valentino
9. Room for One
10. Lexington Blues

produced by Uncle Sam and Marty Duda, this second album has some changes in it. Some w/ the band members from what I can gather in the credits and from any previous articles they really don't mention anyone but Larry Miller who does the interviews for the band. From what I can gather on the CD credits they list "All songs written by Uncle Sam (David Gentner, Larry Miller, Bill Purol)"

The new line up is:
new drummer JEFF MANN, new bass BILL PUROL, former bass player now lead vocals DAVE GENTNER, and LARRY MILLER on guitar.

This release isn't as fast as the previous but still holds some great tunes. I guess being more popular or maybe getting more press in England this CD contains songs from their adventures over the seas like title song 'Letters From London' and 'Lexington Blues'. There is quite a few of the sexual songs such as 'Red Shirt' which is about having sex at workplace

...red shirt means you love me
short skirt means be quick
we'll sneek into the back room
before the second trick...

as for 'Crystal'

"..I'd love to slide my hands down your silky silhouette cat
I'd love to catch you in the rain
and if I held your back up against the wall
well, don't tell me that you'd obstain...

'Ain't No Valentino' is one of my favs and 'Good Bye Mr. Mary'
I just find a number of these songs as being a little mellow for their taste.

In a Kerrang review of this record they say "...while 'Room For One' is a broken Alice before the sticky finger of Desmond Child..."

Fourteen Women...Fifteen Days 1993 Communique Records/Progressive International
1. Long Gun
2. Stripped of Innocence
3. Caretaker
4. Carnival Knowledge
5. Dirty & Co
6. Your Hotel Or Mine
7. Draggin' The Coffin
8. Ever Grey
9. Fallout Shelter
10. Fourteen Women..Fifteen Days

The final album by Uncle Sam. I just happen to stumble across this so I had no previous review or any promotion of this release. Came out in '93 this was produced by Kim Fowley (The Runaways mentor) and Timothy T. Brannigan (don't ask never heard of him).
Also on a new label Communique Records/Progressive International that I guess is out of the U.S.
From what I heard this album came out after their break up.

'Fourteen Women...Fifteen Days' is back to 'Heaven Or Hollywood' release. With some demented lyrics and songs not to mention their cover art it brings Uncle Sam more closer to sexual predators and serial killers.

Songs like 'Caretaker'

...I got myself a shovel
I got myself a pick
walking thru the graveyard
while the fog is so thick
digging up bodies
digging up bones...

to one of my favorites track the title 'Fourteen Women...Fifteen Days' isn't about groupie exploits. It reveals the thoughts of a serial killer.

...I killed me 14 girls in just 15 days
defended by a word called insane
after number 7 they all looked the same
I brought the city down to its knees
I caught a bad case of the white man's disease..."

There are other tunes that are just as good such as 'Stripped of Innocence', 'Carnival Knowledge', 'Draggin the Coffin' that makes you wish they kept on producing records.

Email Response from Larry Miller, bass player & spokes man of Uncle Sam...

Saw your bit on the three Uncle Sam recordings.
Pretty neat. - Larry Miller