Sam Llanas — Formerly of the BoDeans — Now Focuses on Bullying, Suicide Prevention

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. If you were hitting the bars on the East Side of Milwaukee in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, you are probably fans of the BoDeans, the rock band from Waukesha. Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann introduced the nation to the Waukesha Sound and made a name for themselves in the music industry. In 2012, Llanas decided to leave the band to work on solo projects and is facing one of those challenges right now – writing the score for a one-man play about alcoholism, bullying and suicide. “I'm working with a playwright, Doug Vincent, on his play, 'A Day for Grace,' Llanas said. “It is an autobiographical play about this man who suffered at the hands of a alcoholic and suicidal father, and is now facing those fears as he is about to become a father himself.” 

“People need to think about these things because this could be your neighbor, your co-worker — or even you.”

Llanas' challenge is to provide music that will convey the points being made in the play — such as being bullied into a corner or to illuminate the isolation and depression one can feel at the hands of an alcoholic parent. “I thought this was a good time to take on these issues,” Llanas said. “People need to think about these things because this could be your neighbor, your co-worker — or even you.” Luckily, Llanas had some music already recorded that was perfect for the play, pulling pieces from his 1997 album “A Good Day to Die” and 2012 recording “4 a.m." “I wrote those songs long before meeting Vincent and it is amazing how well the play fits with the records,” he said. Llanas, who has had a successful music career for more than 30 years, said success with this project will be in the form of it getting picked up by a Broadway producer.  “We're hoping to have it released to a wide audience in September for Suicide Prevention Month,” he said. “We want to expose this to a larger audience, so if we can even help one person, to let them know they are not alone out there and there is a first step to healing, that will be a great success.” Related:

• Sam Llanas honors Les Paul in new video
• The BoDean's biggest hit, "Closer to Free"
• Sam Llanas' solo performance, "Nobody Loves Me"
• Sam Llanas interview on "The Morning Blend"
• Sam Llanas interview on "Real Milwaukee"
  

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