Son of Sam (band)

Lore & Background

In 1999, Todd Youth was invited by Glenn Danzig to fill in on guitar for the Samhain reunion tour, replacing original guitarist Pete 'Damien' Marshall. Inspired by the experience, Youth wrote an album's worth of Samhain-influenced music and contacted ex-Samhain members Steve Zing and London May, who agreed to help record. The project was named 'Son of Sam' as a nod to its origins from the Samhain reunion. Davey Havok of AFI, whose band had opened for the Samhain tour, was brought in to write lyrics and record vocals. The album Songs from the Earth was released on Nitro Records in 2001, featuring guest guitar and keyboard from Glenn Danzig on two tracks.

Reader's Guide

Son of Sam's significance lies in its role as a direct musical offshoot of the influential horror punk band Samhain, bringing together members from multiple notable punk and metal acts. Their debut album, Songs from the Earth, served as a tribute to Samhain's sound and legacy, while their second album, Into the Night (2008), continued the style with a new vocalist. The band's intermittent activity and multiple reunions reflect the enduring interest in horror punk and the collaborative spirit among musicians in that scene. Though short-lived, the project produced two full-length albums and a demo recording, and remains a footnote in the careers of its members, particularly Todd Youth, who died in 2018.

Did You Know?

• The band's name was inspired by serial killer David Berkowitz and also referenced the band Samhain.
• Glenn Danzig contributed guest guitar and keyboard on the tracks 'Stray' and 'Songs From The Earth'.
• Davey Havok did not return for the second album due to commitments with AFI's label Interscope.
• A 2024 reunion attempt with Colin and Taylor Young produced only a demo recording of 'Michael'.