Sam the Scientist at Ugly’s
Tonight we went to Ugly’s Tequila Bar in Citrus Heights to hear my Non-Genetic Cousin Sam Baeder perform.
His stage name is Sam the Scientist. He does vocals and lead guitar, and lately he’s been playing with a drummer and bass guitarist he calls the Champions.
Sam’s music has the loud speedy echo of its Orange County garage band roots. He tells stories with his songs, and his lyrical style is narrative and kooky — it lies somewhere between early Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Beck, and urban performance poetry. After a few songs I was reminded of Almost Cut my Hair by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
The group played in two sets, and I took a few photos. Before we left I was sure to pick up Sam’s album Death by Pipette, a bargain at $5.