1.Growing Up
CE: I remember my mum singing along to Sinatra in a voice that can only be described as ‘basso profundo’.
SC:I was the only musician in the house – the black sheep. I grabbed whatever cassette or record I could listen to.
2.Inspirations
CE: I like all kinds of music, especially songs with 12 bars.
SC: B.B. King, Elmore James. The first time I heard them my hair stood up. They did more than just sing to me. Good drummers inspire me.
3.Your Band
CE: We clicked five years ago at a local jam night and then cut our teeth at every open mic night in town, and then regular gigs and support slots started coming our way.
SC:Craig and I are the odd couple of blues. We both share a different approach that mixes well. I work with numerous bands across Sydney – too many to list.
4.The Music You Make
CE: At a Snakemen show you’ll hear the blues, plus songs from the gospel side of bluegrass and the blue side of lonesome. We also distribute pocket lagerphones at gigs because we don’t have a drummer.
SC: My love for music styles varies from Tom Waits to Ne Obliviscaris. They help inspire my tone and what I play. Our original EP was recorded using Sound Basement Studios in Sydney. Our style evolved, and our next EP will likely be recorded in the backyard next to the chicken pen. That’s the kind of rawness you can expect from our shows. Two guitars, no laser beams.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
CE: We have concentrated on small bars and markets and have been fortunate to play regularly at some great venues such as Mr Falcon’s, the Wayward Brewery and the Woolpack Hotel.
SC: With all the ebbs and flows, local musicians’ creativity shines through in Sydney. Recent bands that inspire me are Sydney-based Shanghai and Stellar Addiction and also Hey Lady! from Newcastle. They absolutely kill it.
[The Snakemen photo by Phillip L Bohle]
Catch the upcoming Snakemen gigs at Wayward Brewing Co. onSunday August 14,Mr Falcon’s onThursday September 1, and theyr’e also appearing at Chatswood Mall Markets on Thursday August 11 and Surly’s on Wednesday August 24.
