When I got a call from Tony (the promoter for the Railway and top bloke) asking if we'd like to play a gig there I had my doubts. Last time I played there with a previous band we had eight people in the audience. Four I'd brought with me, two were so paralytic they couldn't get off their barstools without falling over and the other two just happened to wander in 'cos it was raining. But as the Railway had a new gov'nor and Tony is such as nice geyser we thought we'd give it a go. We hadn't gigged over Xmas and we could do with a quiet warm up gig before we go off to Dublin on our 'Irish Tour'.

When we got there, there was a bit of a buzz about the place. As we set up, the 'suits'left and the place just filled up with proper people and a few beers later they all looked ready to rock. So much for a 'quiet warm up gig'!! What we got was a hot, sweaty, steaming gig with a great audience. Just how we like it. I was told afterwards that we played for over two hours, but the time went so quickly we just didn't care.
Thanks to all the people who suggested what 'Snake songs we could do next time. We'll get together and rehearse some of them for the next gig. We'll see you back there on Friday 22nd May. Railway Hotel, we thank you. Cheers to you all, Peter

Hi Snakefans,

just felt that we should share a recent update in the band. As readers of these pages will know we thought we had recruited a guitarist called Marius to the Snakefold. But many no shows at rehearsals lead to us having to play Beacon Court as a five piece. Although the new guys played well there was something missing in a big way.
There are many unsubstantiated theories about Marius and whether he was planted to waste our time. We will suffice to say we decided to pull the plug on his involvement in the band before any further time was wasted.
Onwards and Upwards, Karma and all that "Peace & Love" etc
Well we have now recruited a damn fine new Snake for you.
Rhys West has been a big Malmsteen fan and attended the Institute in Brighton to hone his skills, he is well up to the job and you are going to love him. He has fitted in quickly and we all love his playing technique.
Our two new guitarists are not only highly talented but have complimentry playing styles. The future is bright!
Oh well, thats all for now folks
We wish you well!
Tom

Well its been a long summer without much weather to give cheer.
So Nick decided to emigrate to Canada, Pete decided work & family commitments should be taking priority. Ray decided to go off and join Ariel Bender (Ex Mott the Hoople) we brought in Big Malk on the drums only for him to busy with other projects...... Phew just like London Busses, Snakes don't leave in ones!!
So we have been recruiting, in comes Peter Lugg and Marius McGuiness on guitars and Neil Turnbull takes the throne, well he is on the drums to put it more politely!

We are looking forward to blowing off the cobwebs after rehearsing at the awesome Bernie Torme's studio. There is a great vibe about this line up. There is a lot to live up to! But life goes on and to quote Coverdale our message to all the guys who have moved on is "We wish you well"

Hope to see you all again soon, preferably this Saturday at The Beacon Court

Sunday 2nd March saw us at the Courthouse in my home town of Dartford for what we intended to be a low key affair on a Sunday night. Although I had seen a few bands play here before ,this was my first time performing.
The first thought that struck us was "would all our gear fit in?", but after persauding the friendly barman to move a few chairs and tables we had bags of room.
After a quick burst of Dont Break My Heart as asound check we could tell that the acoustics would be good.
I cant remember a lot about the gig except lots of friendly faces singing along, the huge tv behind us showing music videos while we were playing, oh yeah and we were LOUD! This tuned out to be a great relaxed gig with lots of banter and the staff singing and leaping about .Thanks to Dave the landlord and his staff and most of all to you for coming out on a Sunday ,look forward to coming back but hopefully on a Saturday next time.
Cheers Rogersnake. .
 

The 12 Bar - Swindon

Sat 26th Jan saw our first trip to Swindon's brilliant 12 Bar venue. Ray had played there before and had built up expectations, so we were all looking forward to the first gig of our 2008 dates and blowing away the post Xmas and New Year cobwebs (this was quite literally the case for one guitar stand in particular!).

The trip along some of the UK’s busiest motorways was really easy and we turned up with plenty of time to be greeted by Dave, the hugely friendly 12 Bar owner. The venue was great with top facilities in the dressing room as well a fantastic PA and lighting rig. 

We'd worked hard on promotion again and this had paid off with some local press and Tom being interviewed on BBC Wiltshire that lunchtime, so we were hoping for a good turn out.

Sound check was as smooth as a baby's, especially with 'Prog-rock' Paul behind the controls who'd done the sound for Michael Schenker the week before!!!!!

By the time we hit the stage the room was getting close to full and buzzing. This was going to be fun, from the opening riff to Burn, it was obvious that we had a crowd who knew their music! There were a good few Whitesnake T-shirts, and people we're singing along from the off. By the time the traditional Ain't no Love choir was due, they were in great voice and the 2 or so hours flew by. Notable highlight was Walking in the Shadow of the Blues, a new song to the set that went without a hitch and was lapped up by the crowd.

Thanks to everyone who turned us especially the delightful Karen and John who I’m sure we’ll see again! Also birthday girl Nikki and friends – it’s always great to see the girls having a good time! We’ll back, can’t wait to see you all again!

Pete

Hi Snakefans!

Well it was the last gig of the year on home turf so a bit dissapointed at the turn out. Although notwithstanding this the crowd that was there made up for numbers by being in fine voice.
Great to see so many friends of the band, plus Paul the sound man knows his room and is a Whitesnake fan so we always get a great sound.
Thanks to all the members of Love Honour & Disobey for turning out, I am sure we willbe watching you guys in the near future.
I had quite a long chat with Simon the landlord after the gig and he is starting to get the feeling that the Classic Rock bands are not the draw they used to be after several top line tributes not filling the room despite having rammed the place out previously. I think that in Simons case the local council have not helped matters with the parking restrictions put in place about a year ago. But also he has a point. 
If people continue to take it for granted that the music will be available live, they have got it wrong. If the people do not turn out the music will die in live format because none of the bands can afford to exist without paying punters coming through the doors. Furthermore all the clubs will disappear too.
Once these venues have gone the councils will oppose new live music licences without soundmeters and the like being fitted. At this point the music dies unless you start goingto places like Wembley, O2, Astoria and the like.
Some of you guys may remeber the same happening to the cinema industry ion the 80's. All the old town Cinemas died and it took a while before the Showcase and Multiscreen cinemas appeared.
We do this because we enjoy it, everybody who comes to our shows tell us they enjoy it. Do I get the feeling that Apathy is starting to take hold in the South as we do not get the same in the midlands and east Anglia although trends do spread from the South upwards and outwards
The other side of course is that we are musicians not promotors and we may not be marketing ourselves in an effective way to maximise the audience. Anybody who specialises in this area would be welcomed into the Snakebite fold.
Oh well rant over!!
For those of you who were there last night, we salute you

Love & Light 
Tom

Hosted By: Snakebite When: 07 Dec 2007, 20:00Where: Beacon CourtCanterbury Road Gillingham, Kent, London and South East|66 ME75TPUnited KingdomDescription:Snakebite Click Here To View Event

The Vic Biker's Pub
10th Nov 2007

Oh my God! Yes, we're back at the Vic for the first time since The Moxter's of Rock 2007. I first played here in 1997 and have played it loads over the years. I love this venue and it used to be my 'local' when I lived in the Midlands. After the previous night's storming gig at Rock Cafe 2000, we were all fired up and ready for Coalville. Support band, Pirate Casino, we're loads of fun and very into their classic rock - cheers!

I can't think of any particular high point of the show, as it was all great, the usual awesome Vic crowd sang along and danced around, especially some of the legendary Vic ladies - thanks girls! Sound was great, atmosphere amazing, in fact it was so good we ended up sleeping on the stage, although the resident rottwieler insited on going round and licking us as we were trying to get to sleep! It was good to meet lots of you again, especially Wayne and Paula who'd made the trip from Barnsley - now that it dedication!

Thanks Nita and Jon for a fabulous welcome and amazing food. If Carslberg made rock/ biker pubs they wouldn't even come close to the Vic!

Stardate 9th November 2007. 
What a drive, if the M25 didn't get us the M40 did!!! Apologies to the motorists of the West Midlands who I was dodging at speeds well in excess of the national limit after being stuck in traffic since mid afternoon south of Oxford. 
Well on arrival we were very pleasantly surprised at the organisation and hospitality of the venue. 
After some problems with Nick's midi floor pedal (Hughes & Kettner wiring is not what it used to be!) we eventually got soundchecked. Apologies to our superb support band Heresy who had to set up and soundcheck in world record time!
To any of you muso's out there who have not played Rock Cafe 2000 get yourself in here. Great venue with helpful techs and enthusiastic audiences
Well lets get on to the gig, the Support band were superb, remember the name Heresy they are going to go places. Veryt reminisent of Alter Bridge/Creed Puddle of Mud but with heavier edges obviosly from their metal influences.
For a dirty wet night thew crowd was a good turn out, the place was nowhere near full but everybody seemed up for it and the choir was in goods voice and filled the right spots in the right places.
To top it all our lighting engineer for the night was Tim............ Yes I finally got to shout Light em up TIm!!!!
(You need to watch live in the still of the night to understand this one!!)
Thanks to everybody who came along to our West Midlands debut. You made us feel really welcome and we can't wait to see you in April.
Finally you guys have great take aways up there and the food was super cheap! Dudley travelodge was about the same as any other though...............****
Any offers of accomodation for our next trip to the SnakeMail!!!

Gawd Bless ya alll
Tom

Just wanted to make a quick entry on this one. Thanks to everybody who came along. We had a great time and the local hospitality was superb. Thanks to Simon for putting on the show and Torn Asunder for superb support. Thanks to Sally for joining me up on stage, apologies that I was soaking wet! 
That to Matt the twat in the hat who ran the door so well all evening
The choir was in superb voice, we love you all!!!
Hope to get back to The Twist in the near future. Have a look at the photos on our pics page

Next stop The midlands!!!!! Can't wait to see you Stourbridge!!