Snakes and Music is comprised of drummer Toby Martin (born March 15, 1975), bassist
Dan O'Neill (born November 27, 1976), guitarist Greg Levy (born July 7, 1976), keyboard player Brent Sisk (born February 5, 1976), and fronted by the vocals and guitars of Andrew Low (born June 7, 1977). Located in Ocean Grove, NJ (about a mile from Asbury Park), the band emerged from the ashes of a group called
Jazz June, which featured Low and
O'Neill and recorded for Initial Records. Originally intended as an Andrew Low solo project, the material that became
Truisms on Universal Warning Records evolved from tunes Low had written after the final tour from
Jazz June. A number of personnel changes occurred, with Low looking for the perfect mix of musicianship and professionalism. An evening of insanity from some now departed members at a show in Philly prompted the core to look for a level of seriousness and bandmates who would put
Snakes and Music at the top of their priority list. Philadelphia has witnessed many of their performances and about six months after they played at a Gainesville festival, they brought guitarist/second keyboard Greg Levy onboard, a bandmate of Low's from a previous group. They added Brent Sisk to bring an extra dimension to the songs with his Fender Rhoads, Juno keyboard, and Ace Tone mini organ, instruments that create different sounds and more musical options. The mix is influenced by groups from across the musical spectrum --
Pavement,
Stereolab,
My Bloody Valentine,
Pink Floyd, and
Neil Young are cited as part of their inspiration -- resulting in songs that are compact, exciting, and often based on personal experience (i.e., relationships). It is Andrew Low's philosophy that is the major component of the material, and he makes it clear that the mission is to definitely and defiantly take over the world but to "have fun doing so." New York clubs like the Knitting Factory and CBGB's as well as the Spike TV late show have all offered them invites at one time or another. The Khyber in Philadelphia seems to be their home base where they continue to develop a strategy to dominate the planet. ~ Joe Viglione