whiskysam: Press

Your song RIDE ALL NIGHT(SEXY 1), were forwarded to Mega Trax for listing # S061026AC!

Dear Sami, Congratulations! The following song was forwarded to Dispatch listing # D070514IN APACHE The company is Boo Riley Productions / Marvelous Media

Congratulations Sam Makarim your song SALLITTO has bee sent to Q MUSIC COLLECTIVE.

Your song GUITAR SAM were forwarded to Noteborn Music for listing # S070112MR!

our cd's VAGABOND & UNCENSORED are available at Best Buy

OurCd's are selling @ Barnes & Noble

AREA ARTS $ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
"Uncensored":Whiskysam ,a long time and well known area rock group,has released its fourth CD,"Uncensored,"which includes original songs written by Sam D Mkakarim as well as 6 cover songs,and four classical guitar tracks.Musicians on the recording include Makarim,Brian M Brian and Nate Sjoblom,vocals;Bill Martinez,Joe Bailey and Skull,drums and percussion;Brian Rustebakke,bass;and Josh Smothers,guitar. To order:www.whiskysam.com;and whiskysam@hotmail.com;701-741-4667

RadioIndy Review of your "Uncensored" CD



Whiskysam’s "Uncensored” is a riff-driven hard rock album that will truly make your head bang like it was 1986. This album boasts an amazing twenty-three tracks of non-stop, action-packed North Dakota rock & roll. The album, although mostly hard rock, has some unique experimental tracks; "Kiss," for instance, has aspects of many genres, including techno and trance. The album also has some slower ballad songs such as the heartfelt confession of true love in "You." “Sexy” is another standout track, with a true-to-their-roots hard rock riff, a blistering guitar solo, and some synth in the background. “Uncensored” uses great production techniques, including vocal effects and synth backgrounds to fatten up the already extremely heavy sound, while maintaining the rawness of the vocals and arrangements. Overall, “Uncensored” is a great pickup with a solid collection of songs from an up-and-coming band that everyone should take notice of. Great for fans of Creed, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, and hard rock in general.
-Ross Shotland

Whiskysam:Sam Makarim and his band ,Whiskysam,have recorded their third CD"Vagabond",a CD that Makarim describes as "more mainstream"and with songs such as "Suicide"and "Speedkill", more issue oriented.
Previous recordings:"On the Roxx" 2000;"Phoenician Nights","2006.
About "Vagabond":"If you listen to the style of every song, there will be a mellow part and then it explodes," Makarim said. Example: "Puzzle."
About Sam: Makarim has a degree in music from UND with an emphasis in classical guitar. He's worked for 16 years at the ND State Mill.
Sam's Influences: "I was taught and influenced by the great Armenian guitarist Paul Gauro in Beirut, Lebanon, back in 1962." He describes his style as Mediterranean rock influenced by the Beatles, Beethoven, Led Zeppelin, Mozart, Deep Purple, Metallica and more. Band members: Drummer Bill Martinez, Brian M. Brian on bass and vocals. Brian Rustebakke and Jenny Z (she dosen't use a last name according to Sam) play bass occasionally.
What's next? Whiskysam is about halfway through recording its next CD. "I'm taking South American beats and mixing them with Heavy Metal Riffs." Makarim said.

'Whiskysam'
'Phoenician Nights'



- Genre: 'Heavy Metal' - Release Date: '2005'



Our Rating:
Even his name rocks.


Listening to "Phoenician Nights" is like drinking shots of hard liquor; it'll create rugburns on your tongue. Whiskysam (http://www.whiskysam.com) is all about the Big Riff, his guitars like hot-wheeled tires that smoke over the asphalt.


This is classic heavy metal - no nonsense, no compromises. Before dissonant garbage such as Korn and Slipknot, metal acts were able to combine both sonic toughness with radio-ready hooks.


Just one blast of "Sexy" on "Phoenician Nights" will kick listeners back into the decadent rock & roll days of Motley Crue and Def Leppard. "I wanna feel your body heat," Whiskysam sings, his guitars dripping with lust.


But it's not all fun and games. "American Soldier" is a stirring homage to the heroes of the U.S. military. It's an anthem that packs quite a wallop, especially the "Apocalypse Now!" helicopters that burst from the speakers. On "Bin Laden," Whiskysam creates a deceptively peaceful and tender narrative that is torn asunder by fears of death.


There is some electrifying guitar playing here, especially on the epic "God of War" with its bodice-ripping solos. No headbanger should live without this.
author: Adam Harrington

Whiskysam - Phoenician Nights
Whiskysam - Phoenician Nights
Written by Michael Sutton


It rocks. To the head bangers in the audience, that’s all you need to know about Whiskysam’s Phoenician Nights album.


Yes, the words "it rocks" are long past clichéd and somewhat juvenile to use in a professional music review, but that’s the goal of this record. To rock. To rock you all night long. To kick you in the nuts. To have buxom, scantily-clad college girls knocking on your door with a six-pack. The latter probably won’t happen, but Phoenician Nights will explode from your speakers with ‘70s and ‘80s-styled raunch & roll.


Remember when Van Halen was a group that you’re parents didn’t want you to listen to before they actually became one they actually liked? Listen to Whiskysam’s "Sexy" and relish in the political incorrectness of this anthem of pure lust. However, lyrics aren’t really the point here. Heavy metal is about power, the thunderous crack of electric guitars and shouted choruses. And Whiskysam delivers, especially on "God of War," which will make any of today’s metal wanna-be’s bow to Sam Makarim’s fiery soloing. Makarim’s Mediterranean influences also give the music an exotic feel that is deeply refreshing in this genre, especially on "Bin Laden."


Although its main focus is to provide listeners a good time, Whiskysam isn’t afraid of serious subject matter, chastising the enemy on "Bin Laden" and paying tribute to U.S. troops on "American Soldier."


www.whiskysam.com

Interview by Karla Ash


Whiskysam: Glam Metal With A Protest Edge


On one hand, Whiskysam celebrates the kind of debauchery that the '80s spandex-metal brigade took to the bank, but there's another side to the group. Vocalist-guitarist Sam Makarim isn't afraid to confront life's darker realities, and in an interview he is just as blunt and unafraid as he is in music.


Karla Ash: How did you get your name, Whiskysam?


Sam Makarim: The Whiskysam name sucks. The original members were sitting drinking whisky three days after the band was formed. I got calls from venues, bars, etc., for bookings asking us what name do you wanna go by? The assholes picked Whiskysam, whatever.


Ash: On "American Soldier," you pay tribute to U.S. troops. Were you ever in the military?


Makarim: We were never in the military. I hate armies, violence, and wars. I feel sorry for all the innocent military people and their families who get dragged into straightening out the world's problems. It really sucks, but somebody has to do it.


Ash: Do you consider yourself political?


Makarim: As you get older you get wiser and dumber, too? I wish everybody would get along. We live in a beautiful world and somebody is going to enjoy it sooner or later because there is more love and wisdom to overcome evil and destruction in every man's heart.


Ash: How long have you been a musician and what made you decide to become one?


Makarim: I was born in Nigeria from Lebanese parents, and I started playing and singing when I was ten years old. I played my first concert two months after I picked up the guitar.

WhiskySam/Phoenician Nights


WhiskySam sent his CD in from Grand Forks North Dakota and says he was kicked out of previous places of residence including England, Beirut and Nigeria. Well ND is an interesting departure from those other ungrateful countries and I am sure that the Grand Forks music scene is something to behold. Sam majored in classical guitar and has a Bachelor of Arts in Music, which next to a degree in liberal arts is one of the best money making sheep skins to possess.


Describing his music as a hybrid of Mediterranean music and Heavy Metal, Phoenician Nights begins the hard rocking “Gods of War”, that offers up garden variety anti-war lyrics, crunchy guitar, a busy drum pad and somewhat muddy singing. However, if I were to describe Sam’s vocals they sound similar to 60’s rocker Jack Bruce. Track three, “American Soldier”, employs a similar 16th note drum part and heavy guitar onslaught. Unfortunately, since the Whiskey man is playing most the instruments and is stuck with programmed drums in place of real traps, the musical arrangement suffers from a linear sound.


After four axe heavy songs, Sam dishes up the title track “Phoenician Nights”, a tune that offers one of the best melodies, pretty finger picking acoustic guitar and a feel reminiscent of Greg Lake. This is a nice piece of songwriting with a chorus that delivers a good payoff. I also liked the next instrumental track called “Guitar Sam” that is creative synthesis of surf guitar and country western. “Lebanon” also employs interesting use of both guitar and keyboard, presenting Middle Eastern influences neatly packaged in a pleasant instrumental.


I have mixed feelings about WhiskySam, as I did not like much of the less than extraordinary guitar slamming he seems to enjoy. I did like the softer creative material such as the aforementioned instrumentals and lighter rock ballad “I Miss You”. If I was his creative guru, I would advise him to lose the Marshall amps, get a Fender Twin or Super Reverb and concentrate on developing focus on his more melodic side; for my money this is where his talent shines. Madmonk Overall Grade: B-

Congratulations, my friend. Take a look at No. 16.


Michael Sutton
Promotions & Publicity


1. Samantha 7: I wanna be famous
2. Moot Davis: Thick of it now
3. The Blazers: And I feel it
4. American Dog: Too damn sober-Foamin' at the mouth Live
5. American Dog: Dog will hunt
6. Walk The Sky: Castles in the sand
7. Frankenstein 3000: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
8. American Dog: Sunday Buzz
9. Hilljack: I'll drink to that
10. Cherie Currie and the Street Walking Cheetahs: Cherry Bomb
11. Silver: China Girl
2 pm
12. Barry Russo: Are you listening?
13. Stephen Pearcy: Dream machine
14. American Dog: Got you by a chain-Foamin' at the mouth Live
15. American Dog: Under the blade
16. Whisky Sam: God of War
17. Zan Clan: Mess ya up
18. American Dog: Burnin' yesterday
19. American Dog: She ain't real pretty, but she's all I've got
20. BJ Thomas: Nashville Rain