A brief history of Sam Goodwill.

Years were spent behind a tiny computer that was wrapped in its traditional tan plastic reminiscent of the Apple IIe and Commodore computers that came before it, but this was the late 90s and it this lonely computer certainly had a greater purpose than to play Oregon Trail. It was the computer that sat in the corner of Sam Buonavolonta's bedroom.

Looking around that small room it sat surrounded by posters on the walls with cds and books strewn about the room composed of Pedro The Lion, Nirvana paraphernalia and other late 90s rock and hardcore bands. Crammed in the room with his bed and dresser was a kick drum and snare, guitars and an amp. This was where Sam Goodwill was born. Sam Buonavolonta (Buonavolanta in translation means "goodwill") tinkered away here with writing songs and honing his craft.

Before he ever emerged from that room as Sam Goodwill he played drums in a few bands, mostly hardcore in nature. Sam had a steady diet of some of the most passionate bands filling his world and coloring his perception for how music is supposed to feel when played. After setting aside is role as primarily a drummer he emerged in late 2004 leading the first incarnation of his band Sam Goodwill with long time friend Dave Mackey (Life Falling Down), Rocco Mustafa (Modern Life) and Alan Williams (Modern Life, Realtime Digimob). With this line up he fleshed out more of his music that, until then, primarily existed in that tiny computer in the darkened corner of his bedroom.

After playing a series of shows with this line up he headed to into several recording sessions starting in Nashville in 05, but ultimately, publicly putting out more music that was recorded in the practice space in Rocco Mustafa's home. Though it was a home recording, it played best to the strengths of Sam giving him and the band endless time to experiment with what worked and what did not.

In late 2005 the addition of Nathan Stauffer on keys and Rob Maine on guitar, two both highly trained musicians, joined the live line up and further solidified the direction of Sam Goodwill.

Though all these musicians assisted and dedicated their time and talent to the vision of Sam Goodwill it would all come to the inevitable rest at the end of 2006. Most of the band members were had responsibilities or prior engagements that limited the growth of Sam Goodwill into a nationally touring entity, so Sam felt it was best to just lay it all to rest.

That was all years ago and over this past year Sam Goodwill is resurfacing with a new line up. Again the three men that assist him (and that have become the band and will continue to become the band) are all great musicians. David Pokrivnak has been working with Sam for a while now and perfecting the oft wild rhythms Sam tends to write on drums. Dmitri Monroe, on bass, brings with him is eclectic and very intimate knowledge or rhythm and just good old fashioned song writing. Dmitri has his roots truly in all things punk and has the mastermind of an accomplished producer that was earned from his musings in hip hop and the technology in machines behind hip hop like the MPC. Beau Banfield (Oh, Empire) steps up the role of guitar in the new Sam Goodwill. Having a similar background and shared interest in the things that made Sam who he is today.

Sam (Buonavolonta) has obviously taken these last two years and grown immeasurably. His own abilities and songwriting have surpassed where the band was at the end of 2006 and the band is beckoning us all to come and bear witness to the new and put away the old as they prepare to take the stage publicly for the first time at Cedars Lounge this Saturday, October 11th with old friends and specials guests Stauffer, Farewell Flight, and Lorien. This Saturday I think the locals will have a very rare glimpse at one of the best rock bands that Youngstown will export from it's gloomy ashes and weather beaten post industrial factories that have fallen in on themselves.

Not to lessen the contributions made by the great musicians involved in the prior incarnations of the band, but in my mind and I am sure in Sam's mind too, this is the true start to Sam Goodwill.

See you at the show.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH @ Cedars Lounge 10 PM - Sam Goodwill with Lorien (from Nashville), Farewell Flight and Stauffer!!! $5, 18+