In this episode of The Hang! on Almost Famous Magazine, host Scott Saldinger sits down with Sam Hoyos, the passionate lead singer of Playing Dead, a six-piece power-pop rock band from West Babylon, New York that’s carving out its own space in the indie and punk scenes. Sam shares his raw and unfiltered musical journey, starting with childhood memories of hearing the La Bamba soundtrack at a flea market and recording a TV trailer just to capture Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” He reflects on how Nirvana became the spark that made him believe he could play guitar, recalling the moment he first tried out the simple bar chords of Smells Like Teen Spirit as a teenager in the early 90s. Along the way, he draws inspiration from bands like Paramore, Hayley Williams, Korn, Slipknot, Metallica, Megadeth, Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, Yes, Genesis, Pixies, Hot Water Music, Rush, Iron Maiden, The Get Up Kids, and The Rentals, blending these influences into Playing Dead’s unique sound.

Sam talks about how Playing Dead came together not from chasing fame, but from a genuine desire to make music with friends. Bassist Dave, inspired by Jason Black of Hot Water Music and legends like Geddy Lee and Steve Harris, provides the foundation. Drummer Mike Yarravina, a veteran of the Long Island band CMR, brings both technical chops and groove. Keyboardist Jason, formerly of Go Big, added new depth with synth textures that reminded Sam of his love for bands like The Get Up Kids and The Rentals. Desiree Freeman adds her own magic, taking lead on their new single Invisible Girl, while guitarist Frank from Morning Fuzz—a band Sam praises as sounding like Foo Fighters mixed with Phantom Planet—rounds out the lineup. Sam even likens Frank to the “Richie Sambora to my Jon Bon Jovi.”

The band’s approach is refreshingly direct: “We play music and record albums. And we play shows. The end.” Rather than chasing traditional album cycles, they’ve embraced a modern release strategy—dropping singles one at a time to grab listeners’ attention in a world full of endless content. Their 2024 releases like Too Far From Me and Invisible Girl earned them spins on SiriusXM Faction, proving that even DIY bands can break through when the music connects. Sam explains the strategy: “Every couple of months you’re like, can I borrow your ear for three minutes? You make everything as good as possible and hope it connects.”

The conversation also dives into the challenges and opportunities of today’s music industry. Both Scott and Sam discuss how technology has changed the way fans consume music—moving from full album listening sessions, like with Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream,” to a shuffle-driven culture where singles dominate. They also explore the importance of grassroots promotion in the streaming era. Sam emphasizes, “The most powerful thing I could think of is word of mouth. If I hear something that I love, I’ll text it to my friends… that’s power right there.”

Outside of Playing Dead, Sam co-hosts the Red River Podcast with his friend Brian, a show he describes as a “pop culture buffet.” Covering everything from music and movies to cult classics like The Mutilator and Strange Brew, the podcast has featured legendary guests such as Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as filmmaker Steve De Jarnatt, known for Miracle Mile and Cherry 2000. It’s a true celebration of art, creativity, and the cultural moments that shape us.

When asked about his dream collaboration, Sam doesn’t hesitate: Jack Antonoff of Bleachers, the New Jersey native and Grammy-winning producer behind hits with Taylor Swift and Lorde. Sam calls him a “musical f**ing genius”* and recalls the surreal experience of Playing Dead sharing the bill with Bleachers at the Adjacent Festival in Atlantic City.

This episode is a candid, funny, and inspiring look at what it means to build a band out of friendship, passion, and a love for melody. If you’re a fan of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, or the New York indie-punk scene, you won’t want to miss this conversation. As Scott reminds us, supporting artists is more important than ever in today’s digital landscape—so check out Playing Dead on Bandcamp, go see them live if you’re in the tri-state area, and most importantly, spread the word. Because in the end, it’s the conversations we share and the connections we make that keep music alive.

Bandcamp

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