Stamp’d

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF STAMP'D
The birth of the ska/rock/reggae ensemble that has now become known as Stamp'd began in mid to late 1996 when Birch Run high school buddies Phil Garno, Jim Garno, and Tim Horenziak had the notion to start a band. At that time there was really no plan as to what they would play they just knew that they wanted to be able to create and perform their own music. Phil took on the role as lead singer/guitarist, Jim was proclaimed the bassist, and Tim was dubbed lead trombonist. Once what was just an idea became a reality they set out to recruit others to complete the set up. Enter drummer Nate Konrad and tenor saxophonist/keyboardist/backing vocalist Seth Payton, also schoolmates. Still having no real plan as to what they would do musically the quintet began to collaborate. Through much trial and error they finally began to put something together that could be defined as music. So now they needed a name. After a brief stint as "The Phucks" they decided that although funny according to their own standards there would probably be those (parents, teachers, etc.) that wouldn't find it so humorous. With that idea short lived they decided what better to call themselves than their favorite high school lunch menu item, "The Walking Tacos"! (Walking Taco: 1 individual bag of Fritos, add meat, lettuce, cheese, and your other favorite taco condiments inside the bag of Fritos and bam... One Walking Taco! Grab a fork and enjoy.)
So now with an official, non-offensive name and a few songs under their belts, The Walking Tacos set out to start playing shows which encompassed various high school events and performances for groups of friends.
The year 1996 marked the time when they would decide to take their music in the direction of ska with the first major label release of Reel Big Fish's album "Turn the Radio Off". Prior to the discovery of that album as well as Reel Big Fish, who has become one of the group’s major influences, most of them had never even been aware of ska. Furthermore, it wasn't until sometime afterwards that they even realized that this "new" kind of music called ska was something that had been around as early as the 50's, and with the help of such bands as The Specials and Madness has become what we now know today as third-wave ska.
With this new found direction the group took on the addition of schoolmate Matt Wesener on guitar/alto sax. With this addition also came a need for a new name.
Legend has it that one day as front man Phil Garno was hard at work tending to the go-cart track at the ever so prestigious Alpine Mountain miniature golf course in Birch Run, MI a conversation between him and a fellow co-worker would set in stone the future of the band's identity. The story has been clouded through the ages but the best recollection from those who know it is that Phil and his co-worker were discussing a date that one of them was supposed to have the previous evening. The girl on the opposite end of the date had apparently stood up her counterpart, thus leaving the poor chap “stamped”. For some reason still unknown to this day that term “stamped” stuck in the mind of Phil and soon became part of his vocabulary. Phil soon proposed that the band change its official name. The guys thought it was cool so they went along with it and just to be different decided to drop the ‘e’ and add an apostrophe thus taking the name from Stamped to Stamp’d.
With their newly proclaimed rubric, clear path and slightly expanded line-up, Stamp’d embarked on their journey which would eventually shape them into what they have become today.
The group refined their sound as they continued to perform and went on to record their first album un-officially entitled “The White Album” in 1998. Although it was of low production and recorded and partly written all in the same day it was never the less a success among their friends and peers and also unfolded a unifying sense of accomplishment for the group. “The White Album” has become nearly extinct over the years and thus many of Stamp’d’s fans are not even aware of its existence. There are however rumors of hardcore original fans and certain members of the group who have retained copies of the album and perhaps one day it may resurface to make itself known once again… perhaps.
Shortly after the album’s release Stamp’d felt the need for the addition of one more player; trombonist Sam Lingenfelter. Sam’s Stamp’d career was short lived as he soon left the band to pursue other ventures. He was swiftly replaced by Mark Saly who also attended the same high school as the original six. Over the next few years Stamp’d would continue playing live expanding their fan base and recognition.
In the year 2000 the troop set out to make their mark in the new millennium with their second album. Again the album had never officially been titled nor widely circulated. It was however a testament to the growth and overall improvement of musicianship of the band and was well received among those who have been privy to it.
In 2001 the band saw the addition of trumpeter Justin Comerford giving the band an even more full horn section and powerful sound. Not long after this inclusion the band hit the studio again, but due to financial and time constraints was limited to recording only three songs which served as a new demo of the then current band as well as a small bit of freshness for the fans.
Stamp’d bid farewell to original drummer Nate Konrad in June of 2002 and quickly substituted Kasey Callison who was also a member of the rock/hardcore band Evasic. Kasey’s eclectic style and attention to detail helped to launch the band into a new level, both musically and in performing. Later that same year the group entered the studio to record a new and updated two song demo of the new roster. June of 2003 marked the departure of trombonist Mark Saly who had decided to leave at that time to focus more on his college education. Coincidentally, former ‘bonist Sam Lingenfelter was around and available and once again assumed his position in the line-up allowing Stamp’d to continue performing without the void, expanding their territory of live shows and thus their overall fan base.
Things were going quite well for Stamp’d until an unfortunate and unforeseen tragedy struck. The group was informed that on August 15, 2004 their drummer and friend, Kasey Rex Callison, had been the victim of a fatal car accident while on a weekend retreat in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Kasey, along with another good friend of his, were soundly sleeping in the backseat of a car when the driver lost control of the vehicle while rounding a curve and rolled the car into a tree instantly killing Kasey and his friend in the backseat, while the driver and front-seat passenger escaped with only minor injuries. Investigation of the accident confirmed that the driver was intoxicated.
This news was no less than devastating to the band as for most of them this was the first time they had ever experienced the loss of such a close friend. Needless to say such an event put a halt on the group’s activity as they took time to mourn the loss both a fine musician and a great friend. Although the affliction was difficult the members came together to support each other and together made the decision that they would continue their musical pursuit as they all knew that Kasey would not want it any other way.
The tragic event was surely the most difficult time the band had ever experienced as a whole but for one member it was not the end. On October 15, 2004, only two months after Kasey’s death, Seth Payton was awakened at 2:00am to be informed that his father, Terrance Austin Payton, had been shot and killed during an attempted robbery at his home in Flint, MI the previous night. While this was not as direct of a blow to the entire group they never the less came together once again to support and grieve with their band mate. Being that his father had always been an avid supporter of his music Seth knew that there was no other choice but to press on.
The band did not remain inactive for long and soon began the search for a new drummer. Good friend and fellow ska musician Billy Filter had been contacted and agreed to man the position. Billy had already been a founding member of the Saginaw ska band Nothing for Something so it only made sense that he’d be a perfect fit. After getting their new drummer up to par they were soon back on the scene in November of 2004.
In early 2005 Sam Lingenfelter once again left the group and keeping with the flip-flop tradition Mark Saly had once again resumed his former position, as he had now graduated from college and become more available. So without skipping a beat the band continued on until later that year when lead singer/guitarist Phil Garno made the decision, although difficult, to leave the band. Phil had his last show with Stamp’d on September 5th of that year. Soon after he moved to Dallas, TX with his wife where he would make use of his degree in theater and music performance. With the love of music and performing still burning in his heart he went on to form the Dallas rock band Clean Plate Club with newly found friends Adam Clanton and Matt Crain.
Near the time of Phil’s departure Justin and Mark both decided to retire as they both needed to focus on their own careers. The remaining members still had no intentions of quitting anytime soon. That’s when Seth stepped up to take on the role of lead singer and also manned the guitar. During the next few months the band took time to rehearse with Seth in the new position as well as search out new members for the horn section as Tim was the only remaining trombonist. Joe Greer soon responded to fill Mark’s position on trombone and played his first show on February 26, 2006. Former trumpeter Justin Comerford sat in with the group for this show as the group was still lacking in the horn department.
Stamp’d continued to rehearse and perform despite being down a couple members more than they would have liked. However it wasn’t long until Molly Murphy expressed an interest in playing trumpet for the band. After a short audition, which consisted mostly of seeing if she could keep up drinking with the rest of the band which was more important than how well she could play, the guys welcomed the first and only female to ever become an official member of the group.
Now that Seth was singing lead and playing guitar it didn’t leave much room for him to play sax, and being that he was used to writing for and performing with a four-horn entourage he expressed interest in the addition of one more player. That’s when trombonist Joe Greer put in a call to his brother and trumpeter, Tyler Greer. Tyler didn’t show much interest at first but was eventually convinced to at least come and give it a try. He soon was captivated by Stamp’d’s melodious air and charming personalities and agreed to solidify his membership. With the line up back in full force the band quickly brought the new additions up to speed and jumped right back into their domain.
Stamp’d has continued to do what they do best; playing live, writing and performing new material as well as playing some of the old favorites. In February of 2007 the band signed their first record deal in their decade of existence with Uh-Oh! Records based in Jackson, MI. The label itself has only just begun and is focused in the genres of ska, punk, and grindcore. Stamp’d is the first and currently only band signed to the label and are looking forward to paving the way for new artists soon to be signed. There has been no official release date for their first Uh-Oh! Records album but they are expected to begin production in April of 2007. The band will take on a two-fold project in which they will record an album of previously unrecorded material that will feature former lead singer Phil Garno as well as an album of completely new material written by the newest and current line up.
<br Having survived for over 10 years Stamp’d still has no definite end in sight. The members are dedicated to doing what they love to do and are enthusiastic to see what the future holds for them.