Reliving My College Years with TITR and Samiam
Garrett Klahn, of Texas Is The Reason, reuniting with the band at Riot Fest 2025. photo by kim moenich
If you caught my story on Best Friends Forever Fest last year, you'll know how incredibly rad it was and how much everyone there loved seeing all their favorite bands from the 90s on one stage. But, despite how much we enjoyed it, we were going to try to save money this year, so we had decided not to go. At one point, however, my husband asked me, "Who would they have to announce for BFFF to make you change your mind?" Without hesitation, I said, "It would have to be a Texas Is The Reason reunion!" And, I kid you not, the next day they announced it.
Scott Winegard of Texas Is The Reason. photo by kim moenich
Unfortunately, we quickly realized we had a scheduling conflict and were going to be in Mexico for a wedding (I'm writing this on the plane there now). I was heartbroken. BUT then, Riot Fest came to the rescue!!! Not only was TITR playing Riot, they were also going to play an after show in a small club with one of my all-time favorites, Samiam. I bought tickets the second they went on sale.
Sergie Loobkoff, of Samiam, was in a band with Garrett Klahn called Solea, which formed in 2002. photo by kim moenich
For those of you who may not be as old as me. Texas Is The Reason came out of the NYHC scene when ex-108 drummer Chris Daly teamed up with longtime friend Norman Brannon, the former guitarist for Shelter, in 1994. They then recruited Scott Weingard (ex-Fountainhead) and Garrett Klahn (ex-Copper). Only initially together for 3 years, the group put out epic solos with Samuel (look for their new split with Pohgoh coming out soon!) and with The Promise Ring, both albums giving them huge cred in the post-hxc/screamo scene, and their 1995 self-titled EP made them a massive force in our part of the world. Their only full-length album, "So You Know Who You Are?", was released in 1996 and produced by Jawbox's J. Robbins on Revelation Records. This album helped break them into the mainstream, a direction the band decided they didn't want to go. They broke up shortly thereafter, while on tour in Europe. Members went on to form bands like Jets To Brazil, Solia, New End Original, and New Rising Sons.
How many epic bands can one guy play in? Ask Chris Daly; he might just hold the record. photo by kim moenich
TITR has reunited a handful of times for special events, like the anniversary of their LP in NYC, but have often said they aren't keen on doing too many reunion shows. Having missed the others, I knew I couldn't take a chance on not seeing them at Riot Fest. Sadly, Norman Brannon made a personal choice to not join them at these shows and was replaced by John Herguth, longtime bandmate of Garrett Klahn.
John Herguth, a childhood friend of Chris Daly, also has an impressive pedigree. Check out his other band, High Disciple. photo by kim moenich
Shout-out to the Bottom Lounge for allowing me to shoot the show and for having such sweet and helpful staff. We made new friends right away, who helped hold down the rail with us. Although, honestly, it was a pretty tame show, which really surprised me. Last year, when I saw Samiam at Fest, I truly thought that was going to be the day I died—the venue was too packed, people couldn't move yet were trying to mosh, and a few idiots actually tried to crowd surf, despite there being nowhere for them to land. So it was a pleasant surprise to not have to protect my camera and my head all night.
I promised Chad Darby of Samiam I would get at least one good photo of him! photo by kim moenich
Samiam is one of the bands whom I could see every single day for the rest of my life and never tire of. I've been listening to them since their self-titled album dropped my freshman year of high school, in 1990. Coming out of the Berkeley, CA, scene in 1988, Samiam gained popularity during my high school years, signing with Atlantic and getting airplay on MTV. Like TITR, they went on hiatus for a while, and I didn't get to start seeing them live again until the last few years. Their most recent album, "Stowaway," came out in '23, and I still listen to it at least a few times a week. With bangers like the title track, "Crystallized," and "Lake Dive," "Stowaway" shows that the boys haven't lost the knack for writing hard but catchy riffs that will have you screaming along.
And, as predicted, TITR played a brain-melting set of classics. They started with the title track off their LP and ended with "Back and To The Left," with all my other favorite songs in between. You could tell they were happy to be back on a small stage, and it really felt like all of our hearts were in it. Thank you, Riot Fest, for finally bringing this foundational band back to me, and thank you, Texas Is The Reason, for making it feel like my college years all over again.
