Current News/News Archive

Bad Days Ahead CD Release

  - Posted 11/5/2007

Well its done!! It does not get released Nationally in stores till Feb 19th....And January it'll be out in Europe on Rosa Records...but this Friday in Portland at Dantes(1 SW 3rd) it'll be for sale,hot off the press. One night only. We spent about a month working on this thing last year.....blood,sweat and tears baby!!! Man its a hell of a record....come watch us play it live from front to back.

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New Bass Player

  - Posted 9/10/2007

Hello everyone,
It's the end of summer and time to let you all know whats up. As far as teaching students I am starting a new location to fill in some more time slots. So starting next week, I will be teaching from my home studio Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. I'll still be teaching at my other studio downtown as well.

BAND NEWS...

MORGAN GRACE has a new bass player Laura Phillips aka Lola Gold. The band is sounding better than ever and both Morgan and I are excited to finally have a bassist that fits in with us and is COOL. So look forward to an MG3 resurgence soon. Check, out the schedule page for upcoming shows.

Mike D and the Loyal Bastards...
The band is doing well and now has Kelly Gately on lead git.. The new album will be out in Europe Oct/ Nov.. and we are supposed to tour europe January. There are alot of shows coming up for the Bastards. So Check out the schedule page. There is a new cut from the forethcoming cd on myspace.

All progress on the SFH documetary has come to a hault while my friend Rachel explores Portugal but hopefully we will be working on it Oct.
I should have some MORGAN GRACE VIDEO, and New PICS up soon Right MG........?
Thanks for stoping by.
Here are some links to buy some tunes.
Morgan Grace albums
Thanks SH

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CD re-release

  - Posted 7/19/2007

Hello everyone,
Sorry to be so tardy on updates.There is alot of news to fill you in on. First off The Band Morgan Grace is back together and has played three shows - We openend for Storm at Dantes last June, and we had a CD re-release for the Rules of Dating CD at the Towne Lounge. Both shows were alot of FUN and Thanks to Amoree Lovell and Autopilot for playing as well.

Next MG show will be August 9th @ Berbatis. Check out the schedule page for more info on upcoming shows.

Michael Dean Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards News - Tonight @ Dantes we are doing a bastardized version of Thee loyal Bastards at Dantes accoustic Style. Dont Miss it. Last week we opened for The Supersuckers to a SOLD OUT CROWD at the newly remodeled Mt tabor Legacy aka Sabalas. We will be Mastering the new CD soon at my good friend and great musician/ recording engineer extrodinare Howard G @ his Studio in Vantucky ( the 'Couve ) for short. we are scheduled for our CD release AUGUST 10th @ the Tractor in Seattle.

Kelly Gatley aka GATOR from Fire Balls of Freedom is taking the Lead Guitar Spot for the next few shows. He played his first show with us last week and without a rehesal, what A PRO.

So other news I will be doing some interviews for a couple documentarys being made soon. One is being done by my good friend Rachel Bowers. Shes has done some footage on MG and is preparing a new doc of her own featuring me and all those great bands I was blessed to play with and the ones I'm playing with now. The other is going to be a new MG doc by Ian Krough, and will feture all the bands and players invoved in the Portland scene that intertwine with each others' projects ( it can get messy folks).

Wow and last but not least I've finished school and am making room for more students so check out the lessons page if interested. Thanks all for stoping by the site

Sam

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Thee Loyal Bastards

  - Posted 4/1/2007

Hey all,
Just got back from a 22 day tour with Mike D of SOB now known as "Thee Loyal Bastards". We toured the mid west to Austin texas where we were close to being residents for 6 days at SXSW...then traveled west to Pheonix, Vegas, LA, Reno, SF, and Sacramento. I think a total of 19 shows in 21 days. It's been awhile for this OLD drummer but I soon fell right back in the saddle and was at home with doing what I do best - just playing drums to good real music. Thee Loyal Bastards are Mike D aka Michael Dean Damron, Morgan Geer, Alan Hunter, and Me. The band will have a new CD out by the summer, also on the new cd will be the outstanding voice of Heidi Hellbender on backing vocals.

Other News - My long time friend and bandmate MORGAN GRACE just got some KUDOS as SNL's Fred Armisen contacted her and told her how much he liked the "I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE" VIDEO on You Tube. I believe word is that he actually played it at his show in Portland at the Crystal Ballroom last weekend.

As I am back home and teaching again, my schedule for students is filling up fast. So if you are interested please check out the lessons page for info.

Check out these sites for more related news.

www.morgangracemusic.com
www.mikedamron.com

Also Alan Hunter and I are starting up the TIGHTEST RYTHIM SECTION FOR HIRE. Alan Is an awesome upright and electric BASSIST who played many tours with the EELS who have performed on david Letterman, Carson Daly, Greg Ferguson. It's a great honor playing drums with him.

Thats all for now folks.
Lots of brightness in the future for all.
SAM HENRY

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On Tour

  - Posted 3/18/2007

I'm on tour right now with Mike D and Thee Loyal Bastards!
More later....
Sam H

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New Album

  - Posted 12/15/2006

hey everyone,
I've been busy at school and have a little time to let you all know what's up and there's quite a lot goin on so put your reading glasses on. FIRST off, Our rehearsal space is back in shape from getting flooded, and we are ready to HOPEFULLY get down to the plans made to start working on the new album as promised. I just talked to our new bassist Fred Chalenor, and he can't wait. all of us have been so busy lately. But if all goes as PLANNED we will be wood sheding out some GREAT new MG tunes. The band sounds better than ever, MG3 has been my main focus since I first met Morgan 2 years ago. She's a remarkable musician and songwriter with awards to back her abillities up. Now that we have a phenomenal bassist Fred Chalenor. we HOPEFULLY will have some shows soon I know youve all been asking when were playing again. So heres whats up SO FAR

MG is playing Mississippi studios w/ Carrie Akre January, 13th MG3 will be playing hollocene Feb, 15th with Sophe Lux. We hope to have somthing before this.

Other news - I am also currently playing drums for Mike D Damron of I can lick any son of a bitch on the house.aka S O B. We have had 2 rehersals and it sound awesome already. Mike D is another one of Portlands great songwriters. We will start recording his new album after Christmas. There is also a tour planned this march w/ KLEVELAND so if all comes to a reality I will be a very very busy man , and perhaps finaly get back on the road again ( i been here too long)

NEXT - HEIDI HELLBENDER has just released her solo CD titled COME HOME. on LADY LUSH RECORDS, in stores now and on cd baby.com. I play drums on I think 4 tracks. Morgan and I were listening to it the day it came out and it was great. I think we both shed a tear. I will be playing drums at her cd release on Jan. 12th at the Laurelthirst pub, Fred Chalenor will be on bass as well. Morgan Grace will be performing some tunes with Heidi also, and Kate Mann will be opening.The whole night will be full of local artists who played on the cd as well as other guests. It will be a night not to miss.

I'm very very fortunate to be involved in these great songwriters lives, GOD bless you all for giving this little drummer boy a place to sit behind on stage...

I'm still teaching but taking a MUCH needed break for the HOLIDAYS. and will start back up after the NEW YEAR. If you are interested I have a few open time slots left.

Have a GREAT CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR STOPING BY THE SITE
Sam

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Opening for Exene

  - Posted 10/24/2006

Morgan Grace is opening for Exene Cervenka Nov 7th at Dante's here in Portland. The Wipers played with X in March 1979, and Napalm Beach opened for them in the early 80's. It's great to play with Exene again with another awesome band. If you haven't checked out Morgan Grace please do! We're really looking forward to this show. We'll also be at the Doug Fir this Friday Oct 27th with special guest Fred Chalenor on bass. Please visit my schedule for details.

There are a lot of rumors of a Napalm Beach reunion with Chris Newman, Dave Dillinger and me. All I will say is nothing is confirmed. I'll keep you posted.

My web person is going to have my photo gallery up soon too so watch for pictures of all my old bands and other skeletons from my closet. I think what haunts me the most are my old hairstyles. yikes!
Sam Henry

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Morgan Grace Wins

  - Posted 8/10/2006

Sorry for my tardiness with updates, the biggest news this week is that my bandmate Morgan Grace just won $10,000 in a songwriting contest. Morgan is one of the best songwriters I know, I'm excited to see her get the recognition she deserves. Now she can get a new guitar!

My drum studio at Audiocinema is really taking off. Lesson space is filling up fast so please contact me to reserve your place.

The X tribute band I'm in will play again this weekend at Dante's, this band has been really fun, don't miss it if you are an X fan.

And lastly our show with Dave Koupal in June was unbelievable. It's funny to not play with someone for 25 years and then pick right up where you left off so easily. Spending time with Dave was great, maybe Morgan and I will head to Ohio for more shows.....you never know. well, that's all for now.
take care,
SFH

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Dave Koupal Returns

  - Posted 5/8/2006

Here is the most recent news -

My drum studio is up and running at the new AudioCinema building. I'm currently teaching there on weekends during the day. Check out the lessons page for more specific info.

My band with Morgan Grace will be joined by a very special guest bassist this June - Dave Koupal. Dave and I were bandmates in the first incarnation of the Wipers in the late 70's. We play the Towne Lounge for Kleveland's cd release show on June 24th.

Our X Tribute Band will debut at Sabala's on June 10th - Morgan Grace as Exene Cervenka, Sean Flora (Crack City Rockers, Rocket Science Recording) as John Doe, Geoff Clarkson (Countrypolitans) as Billy Zoom, and me as DJ Bonebrake. You are going to love it.

all for now,
Sam Henry

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