The Snails
US musical group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Snails is an American rock[1] band with touches of post-punk, ska and reggae,[2] based in Baltimore, Maryland.[3] It is currently composed of Sandy Snailbelow, Snailliam, Sammy Snail (also known as Snamuel or Snammy), Snailburne, Snailbraham, Snailrell and Snailpril.[1][4] As snails, they live in a Shoebox,[5][6] where they like to play basketball.[7]
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The Snails | |
|---|---|
Sammy Snail (Samuel T. Herring) of The Snails | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, surf-rock, post-punk, reggae, ska |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Label | Friends Records |
| Members | Sandy Snailbelow (Andy Abelow) Snailliam (William Cashion) Sammy Snail (Samuel T. Herring) Snailburne (Drew Swinburne) Snailbraham (Abram Sanders) Snailrell (Ryan Syrell) Snailpril (April Camlin). |
| Past members | R.M. O'Brien, Joel Herring, Brian Corum, Andrew Burt and Justin Lucas. |
| Website | future-islands |
History
2008: Formation
The Snails formed in the summer of 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland, when rapper Spank Rock asked Future Islands to play his birthday party.[8] Future Islands' third member Gerrit Welmers was out of town,[9] so Samuel T. Herring and William Cashion put together a group of friends to play some old songs by Art Lord & the Self-Portraits (the band that preceded Future Islands).[1]
2008–2013: Art Lord & the Self-Portraits
Gradually producing their own material,[3] the Snails are described by their record label - Friend’s Records - as “Baltimore’s answer to the California Raisins”.[1][9]
As far as the meta-concept behind being a snail, there really isn't. We were just born this way, snails. The music that we breathe out is pretty natural, mitochondrion and all that stuff.
— Snailbraham, in Kyle Petersen, Future Islands members goof off with friends in the Snails, Charleston City Paper
Wearing colorful snail headpieces[6] and outfits,[1] the Snails have had a rotating cast of members.[5] From 2008 to 2013, they played some 10 shows in the Baltimore area.[10] Apart from being snails,[1] their slow pace can also be explained by the fact that their members come from several Baltimore bands – Future Islands, Lower Dens, Wume, Nuclear Power Pants, Small Sur, Teeth Mountain, Lonnie Walker, Wing Dam amongst others[5][8] - with different touring calendars.
2013–2015: Worth the Wait
In April 2013 The Snails released the EP Worth the Wait, a five-song gatefold double 7" which was promoted by an East Coast tour of another 10 shows.[10] A full-length album Songs from the Shoebox was recorded between December 2013 and November 2015 by producer Chester Endersby Gwazda.[2]
After the success of Future Islands' album Singles released in March 2014, Future Islands toured massively until late 2015, leaving the project on hold.[6][7]
2015–present: Songs from the Shoebox
In November 2015, The Snails released the Christmas song “Snails Christmas (I Want A New Shell)”.[11] A re-recording of an already released track included on the 2013 compilation Baltimas!!!!![12] In March 2016 they toured the US East Coast again, to promote the release of their debut album Songs From the Shoebox,[11] also produced by Chester Endersby Gwazda[1] and released in February 2016.[13] It features 10 songs,[13] of which “Flames” is an Art Lord & the Self-Portraits cover.[1]
Band members
- Sandy Snailbelow (Andy Abelow of Small Sur, and Showbiz!) - alto saxophone and keyboards
- Snailliam (William Cashion of Future Islands and Peals) - bass
- Sammy Snail (Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands) - vocals
- Snailburne (Drew Swinburne of Nuclear Power Pants) - guitar
- Snailbraham (Abram Sanders of Wing Dam) - drums
- Snailrell (Ryan Syrell) - alto saxophone
- Snailpril (April Camlin) - musical saw
Former members[16]
- Jana Hunter (of Lower Dens)
- R.M. O'Brien (of Nuclear Power Pants)
- Joel Herring (of Plucky Walker)
- Brian Corum (of Lonnie Walker)
- Andrew Burt
- Justin Lucas (known as Justnailin)