Samson The Aviator (“STA”) was started by the husband-and-wife team of John & Nancy Konstantos in the formidable early 90’s alternative rock scene in Chicago. Both born and raised in the city, John & Nancy played in various bands until deciding to join forces to form a band that would reflect their own diverse musical preferences. After placing an ad for musicians with like goals and working through a few hit and misses with members, they developed a band with the chemistry and sound that was just what the duo was looking for.  

The mission was to incorporate a diversified blend of hard driving rock ‘n’ roll reminiscent of 70’s classic rock with a gritty and edgy sound that’s punk infused and is derived from the alternative indie rock of the 90’s. The final piece of the musical puzzle was an emphasis on great grooves with melodic qualities that made for the band’s “secret sauce” and resulted in great music and even better live shows. This eclectic brew was once described by Nancy Konstantos, the drummer, as “tasty swank with a sonically alluring presence”. Mission Accomplished.  

In its earliest incarnations (Wailing Angels and Chromebaby) the band was quickly noticed with its high energy shows at hot spots like Metro, Double Door, The Vic and Beat Kitchen following in the steps of contemporaries from the Chicago scene like Smashing Pumpkins, Local H, Veruca Salt and Urge Overkill. By the mid 90’s the band was garnering strong interest, as Chicago became an alternative rock hotbed, resulting in STA contemplating signing with a local label that had shown strong interest but, in the end, decided to remain independent and flex its musical muscle as it saw fit.  Over the period from the early 90’s thru the mid 2000’s the band played over 150 shows most as the headliner and opened for a wide range of well-known bands like Cassius Clay, Adrian Belew and Stabbing Westward.  

Fast forward to 2020, STA went back to work at Jamdek studio completing its current release the EP titled Mayor of the Sun. The new EP is a culmination of the bands previous works going back to the early days and represents a catharsis of sorts for songwriter John Konstantos who wrote the songs between March and September of 2020 during the COVID quarantine. The bands current lineup includes Greg Lewis on bass guitar and Aubrey Thornton on vocals.  

The EP opens with single Wake Up With My Friends, a groovy, power punk attack with catchy melodies, Elaina Via is next and is a blues-based churner with a big chorus that’s sticks in your head, while Sugar Try offers a psychedelic vibe with a strong rock back beat and signature catchy vocals with distinct lyrics. The final song on the EP, Sundown, is a critical view of the times we live in with a hard driving, ominous soundscape. The band is excited about the new release and looks forward to sharing its music with its fans and soon to be fans.