The Snails

Last updated
The Snails
Sammy Snail (Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands) at The Ottobar.jpg
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 active2008–present
Labels Friends Records
MembersSandy Snailbelow (Andy Abelow)
Snailliam (William Cashion)
Sammy Snail (Samuel T. Herring)
Snailburne (Drew Swinburne)
Snailbraham (Abram Sanders)
Snailrell (Ryan Syrell)
Snailpril (April Camlin).
Past membersR.M. O'Brien, Joel Herring, Brian Corum, Andrew Burt and Justin Lucas.
Website future-islands.com/snails.html

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]

Contents

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, inKyle 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

Current members [3] [4] [14] [15]

Former members [16]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Built to Spill</span> American indie rock band

Built to Spill is an American indie rock band that formed in Boise, Idaho, in 1992. Centered on lead vocalist and guitarist Doug Martsch, the only permanent member, Built to Spill has released nine full-length albums since its inception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sufjan Stevens</span> American musician (born 1975)

Sufjan Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has released ten solo studio albums and multiple collaborative albums with other artists. Stevens has received Grammy and Academy Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shearwater (band)</span> American indie rock band

Shearwater is an American indie rock band from Austin, Texas, led by multi-instrumentalist and lead singer Jonathan Meiburg, a singer-songwriter. The band's music is notable for its imagery based in nature, cerebral yet intimate melodic songs, as well as Meiburg's vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Melberg</span> American drummer

Rose Melberg is a musician and songwriter from Sacramento, California, currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She has performed both as a solo artist and as a member of Tiger Trap, The Softies, Go Sailor, Gaze, Gigi, Imaginary Pants, Brave Irene, Knife Pleats and Olivia's World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Deacon</span> American musician

Daniel Deacon is an American composer and electronic musician based in Baltimore, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beach House</span> American dream pop duo

Beach House is an American indie band formed in Baltimore in 2004 by current members Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Their work is characterized by a hypnotic dream pop style.

Double Dagger is a post-punk trio from Baltimore, Maryland composed of only drums, vocals, and a very loud bass guitar which fills the space a guitar would normally take. Vocalist Nolen Strals and bassist Bruce Willen also comprised the graphic design team Post Typography, which has done work for some very high-profile clients, including The New York Times. Hence, Double Dagger made a habit of referring to their style of post-hardcore as "graphicdesigncore" early in their career. In October 2011, Double Dagger officially broke up after a small final tour, but has since reunited occasionally for one-off shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Islands</span> American synth-pop band

Future Islands is an American synth-pop band based in Baltimore, Maryland, comprising Gerrit Welmers, William Cashion, Samuel T. Herring, and Michael Lowry (percussion). The band was formed in January 2006 by Welmers, Cashion and Herring—the remaining members of the performance art college band Art Lord & the Self-Portraits—and drummer Erick Murillo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal Collective</span> American experimental pop band

Animal Collective is an American experimental pop band formed in Baltimore, Maryland. Its members consist of Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist, and Deakin. The band's work is characterized by an eclectic exploration of styles, including psychedelia, freak folk, noise, and electronica, with the use of elements such as loops, drones, sampling, vocal harmonies, and sound collage. AllMusic's Fred Thomas suggests that the group "defined the face of independent experimental rock during the 2000s and 2010s."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peals (band)</span> American band

Peals is an American instrumental duo from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in early 2012 and composed of William Cashion and Bruce Willen. The two bass players of the Baltimore bands Future Islands and Double Dagger respectively, left bass, computer and drums aside to incorporate elements of ambient, folk, krautrock, punk, and experimental music into their project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloud Nothings</span> American indie rock band

Cloud Nothings is an American indie rock band from Cleveland, Ohio, United States, founded by singer-songwriter Dylan Baldi. It currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Dylan Baldi, drummer Jayson Gerycz, and bassist Chris Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BadBadNotGood</span> Canadian instrumental group

BadBadNotGood is a Canadian instrumental band and production team from Toronto, Canada. The group was founded in 2010 by bassist Chester Hansen, keyboardist Matthew Tavares, and drummer Alexander Sowinski. In 2016, they were joined by frequent collaborator Leland Whitty. Among other projects, the group has released five solo studio albums, with the latest, Talk Memory, released in October 2021. They have had critical and crossover success, finding audiences in the hip hop, jazz, and alternative music communities.

Algiers is an American-English post-punk band from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, formed in 2012. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Franklin James Fisher, Ryan Mahan, Lee Tesche, and Matt Tong. Algiers pulls from a divergent number of musical influences; the most notable of which being post-punk, hip-hop, Southern Gothic literature, and the concept of the Other. Their sound has been described as dystopian soul due to its somber mood, afrofolk inspired vocal approach, and heavy emphasis on atonal textures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car Seat Headrest</span> American indie rock band

Car Seat Headrest is an American indie rock band formed in Leesburg, Virginia, and currently located in Seattle, Washington. The band consists of Will Toledo, Ethan Ives, Seth Dalby (bass), and Andrew Katz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel T. Herring</span> American singer

Samuel Thompson Herring, also known as Hemlock Ernst, is an American singer, rapper and actor from Baltimore, Maryland. He is best known as the frontman of the synth-pop band Future Islands, with whom he has recorded seven studio albums. He has also previously been a member of Art Lord & the Self-Portraits, The Snails, and Trouble Knows Me.

Art Lord & the Self-Portraits was an American synthpop band in Greenville, North Carolina, composed of Gerrit Welmers (keyboards), William Cashion, and Samuel T. Herring, Adam Beeby and Kymia Nawabi. Created originally as a performance piece criticizing pretentiousness in the artistic world, when it disbanded in late 2005, its remaining members went on to form the synth-pop band Future Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Son Lux</span> American experimental music project

Son Lux is an American experimental band. Originally the solo project and moniker of founding member Ryan Lott, the band's first three albums, At War with Walls & Mazes, We Are Rising and Lanterns, shaped the band's unique sound through post-rock and electronica influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Islands discography</span>

American synthpop band Future Islands have released seven studio albums, six extended plays (EPs), 23 singles and 15 music videos. Future Islands was formed in Greenville, North Carolina but relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in 2008. It consists of John Gerrit Welmers (keyboards), William H. Cashion, and Samuel T. Herring (vocals). The band included Erick Murillo (drums) up until November 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snail Mail (musician)</span> Solo musical project of Lindsey Jordan

Snail Mail is the American indie rock solo project of guitarist and singer-songwriter Lindsey Erin Jordan. Originally from Ellicott City, Maryland, Jordan first performed as Snail Mail live in 2015 at the age of 15, and attracted attention with the EP Habit in 2016. After signing with Matador Records, Snail Mail released her debut studio album, Lush (2018), to critical acclaim. In 2021, Snail Mail followed up with her second album, Valentine, to further critical recognition.

<i>As Long as You Are</i> 2020 studio album by Future Islands

As Long as You Are is the sixth studio album by American synth-pop band Future Islands, released on October 9, 2020. The album was the first to feature Michael Lowry as proper member of the band, after previously serving as their touring drummer since 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Petersen, Kyle (March 16, 2016). "Future Islands members goof off with friends in the Snails". www.charlestoncitypaper.com. Charleston City Paper. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Astudillo, Javier (February 19, 2016). "The Snails ponen en stream su álbum debut, "Songs From The Shoebox"". www.vibes.cl. Vibes. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Fanelli, William (December 8, 2015). "Future Islands' supergroup The Snails announce Shoebox Tour with dates in March". www.axs.com. AXS. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Songs from the Shoebox by The Snails". thesnailsbaltimore.bandcamp.com. The Snails. February 14, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Klingman, Jeff (March 16, 2016). "Future Islands Side Project The Snails Just Wants to Have Fun". www.indyweek.com. Indyweek. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Hussey, Allison (February 23, 2016). "The Snails - Songs From the Shoebox". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Pegan, Matt (March 10, 2016). "TEST SPIN: The Snails — Songs from the Shoebox". cornellsun.com. The Cornell Daily Sun. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  8. 1 2 BrooklynVegan, Staff (December 2, 2015). "Future Islands side project The Snails release Christmas song, releasing an album, playing shows (2 NYC gigs on sale)". /www.brooklynvegan.com. Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Smith, Nicky (June 25, 2013). "Future Islands Reinvent Themselves As The Snails". splicetoday.net. Splice Today. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 Evans, Diana (April 25, 2013). "The Snails set to release EP, will play short East Coast tour". www.imposemagazine.com. Impose Magazine. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Camp, Zoe (December 4, 2015). "Future Islands Side Project the Snails Share Christmas Song, Announce Tour". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Snails Christmas (I Want a New Shell) - The Snails". baltimas.bandcamp.com. Baltimas!. December 24, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 Minsker, Evan (February 16, 2016). "Future Islands Side Project the Snails Drop New Album Songs From the Shoebox". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  14. ↑ Arnaudin, Edwin (March 9, 2016). "The Snails creep into Asheville's Mothlight March 13". www.citizen-times.com. Citizen-Times. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  15. ↑ Shteamer, Hank (March 24, 2016). "Future Islands side-project is full of fun rubbery garage-rock". www.rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Worth The Wait by The Snails". friendsrecords.bandcamp.com. Friends Records. April 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.