 ...Word of Mouth... Last updated: 30 April, 2005
NEWS/GIGS |
BIOGRAPHY
- The SNUB StoryThis was a band
with an excellent hardcore metal sound, with lyrics that were often meaningful social and
political statements. Their intense live performance characteristically featured
good banter between band and audience, combined with hardman skinhead looks that
complimented the aggressive quality of their music exceptionally.
Snub was formed back in March 1995 by co-founding members Martin Jeffery (Bass) and Ian Field-Richards (Guitar). Both had been in different bands before they got together, both wanted to take their music in a heavier direction, and for a while it was just the two of them writing songs. Martin who works in data processing management and Ian, a professional graphic designer (he did all of Snub's artwork and his portfolio also includes all the latest artwork for earthtone9 - for more details contact him via email at Blue Monkey), were happy with their initial writing foray and now wanted to concentrate on putting a proper line-up together. And so, it wasn't long before they were joined by James Iaciofano (Choff) on vocals and Luke Duffield on drums, who put together the bands first demo called "Word Of Mouth" in mid 96. Not long after this, the initial core of the band became complete when Vincent Edmonds took over on drums, in June of that year. The band initially settled as a four piece and their second demo entitled "Red Rum" appeared in late 96 and their third called "Zero Tolerance" in April 97, both produced with this line-up. With these demo's in circulation and a growing reputation on the live scene, Snub were starting to get noticed. It was in September 1997 when the last piece of the puzzle was put in place, with the addition of a second guitarist Simon Smith. This helped complete the Snub "sound" and in November 97 they were signed by Copro Records. Despite a delay due to a number of problems and some learning experiences in the making of their first 'label' release, "360 Degree Conviction" became available in April 98. It showcases 5 songs and is a fine slab of aggressive hardcore metal in it's own right. For the remainder of 98 and most of 99, intensive touring was the name of the game. They always try to maintain an uncompromising tour schedule and love to be out there on stage. Over the years they have played gigs with bands that include Earthtone9, One Minute Silence, Misery Loves Co, Kill II This, Tribute To Nothing, Cynical Smile, Earth Crisis, Turmoil, Iron Monkey, Napalm Death, The Misfits, Medulla Nocte, GF93, Seizure, Sanctum, Torna-K, SikTh, Subvert, Imprint, Breakneck - Dead Life Portrait, Severance, Gimik, Lain, Primary Slave, Cowpuncher, Stampin' Ground, Zero Cipher, Audit, Matter, Warzone, Knuckle Dust, Electric Wizard and many, many others. The year 2000 was one with mixed blessings for the band. In January there was an upset, as co-founder Ian decided to leave due to personality clashes with other members of the band. This had been something that had been building for a while and had finally come to a head, so Ian went on to pursue his graphical design career. On the positive side, there was a full UK tour supporting 'Misery Loves Co' that started in March, and the band took that opportunity to release their debut full length album called "Memories in Richter", again on Copro Records. If you have any interest in this genre of music, you simply must get hold of a copy of this CD, it is an absolute stormer! The album had been recorded late in 1999 and so included guitar duties by Ian, but for their live performances, they needed a new member. In steps Marcus Diffey who fitted in very well on stage and also added great depth with his backing vocals. The tour went very well and was considered to be a pinnacle by the band, as it afforded them an opportunity to taste the full touring experience. "It was our first proper tour really - fourteen consecutive dates, the length and breadth of the country, aboard a night-liner tour bus with bunks, lounge areas and all the facilities you could need for life on the road! We made some good, lifelong friends on that tour and learnt a great deal too - there's no substitute for it!!!" remarked Martin. Another tour followed in June with 'Tribute To Nothing', but it turned out to be a little disappointing and was badly promoted (i.e. insufficient publicity). This feeling was added to when once the tour had finished it became apparent that Marcus' talents were not entirely suited to the band, and so Snub's newest member left. The year was turning into a rollercoaster ride, from the lows in January to the highs in March, again to the lows in June. For a while they wrote and performed as a 4 piece which apparently worked out quite well on the song writing side. However, Snub seem to feel most comfortable with two guitars and in September of 2000, they once again recruited a fifth member, his name Austin Brooke-Thomas known as Oz. He is an accomplished acoustic singer-songwriter, has been a close friend of the band for a long time and roadie'd for Snub on the 'Misery Loves Co' tour. He brought a fresh approach to the band as his experience and influences are from outside the genre (more rock than metal). Unfortunately, this was only to be a short reprise for the band, as during late March and early April things within the band were not looking good. Indeed it was on the 27th March that Si, Vin & Oz all decided to leave the band, due "partly to commitments outside of the band but mostly because of a growing lack of fulfilment and therefore enthusiasm". This seemed to be the final nail in the coffin for the band and reluctantly on the 14th April, 2001 the remaining members, Choff and Martin, after some soul searching and weighing up of options, decide to end the life of the band. It was with greatest sadness that I received the the following notification from Martin Jeffery: "...Choff and I can now confirm that we have in fact decided to call it a day - so Snub is officially dead... Respect to you all. Martin." Obviously, everyone thought that it was the end of Snub, that was until the guys realised just how much they were being missed and how much they missed the music. Over the summer and winter of 2001, the support and pressure from friends and fans was to become so great, that it was to prompt the continuation of the band. As per the press release that surfaced during November/December, Snub fronted by original members Choff, Martin, Simon and Vinnie, joined by new guitarist Martin Aslett, undertook some new studio work. However, as the commitment of Si and Vin was only temporary (they had too many other projects and interests to give Snub their all), rather than hold back a new chapter in the band, they gave the go ahead to find new members to replace them after a last gig during February, 2002. The replacement drummer was recruited and turned out to be none other than Luke Duffield from the 96' line-up. They decided to slim down to a four piece as they felt the chemistry in the band was spot on. The recording surfaced as an EP and was released on 6th May 2002, again through Copro Records (COP023). It was called "The Harvest", contained four previously un-recorded tracks; The Harvest, Six Deep, The Subtle Art Of Slaughtering A Dream (an instrumental written by the new Martin) and Flowers Of Flesh & Blood (a new track written shortly before the split last year). It covered a period of the bands music from December 1999 to December 2001 and contains both new and old members. And so began a two year period of further gigs and plans of recording more material for Martin, Choff, Martyn and Luke, but when it became known that one of this now stable and chemically balanced line-up wanted to move on, it sounded the final death knell for the band - and this time it was for real! An official statement from the band was issued during March 2004: "So... After nine years we've decided finally to call it a day. I know we've been here once before, but this time it's definitely all over! A new band has been formed already. The catalyst for the split is the impending departure of yet another guitarist, Martyn, who's heading off for bigger and better things via a spell at music college in Brighton. Initial thoughts of continuing the band were quickly dispelled when it became obvious that our enthusiasm for Snub just wouldn't be the same without Martyn in the line-up; an impromptu jam with a different guitarist proved highly successful but the resulting music not at all Snub-like (slower and more groove-laden) - and we realised that it was quite simply time to knock Snub on the head and move onto something else. No bad feelings, no regrets..." However, because the split was all amicable and agreed in advance, they had the good fortune of being able to organise a new album, plus a remix of their first album and most importantly a few final shows before the closing curtain descended. Snub finally re-entered the studio in April to record the long-awaited second album. Entitled 'Why Build Bridges When You Can Burn Them', the album featured tracks penned by the last line-up and was released during June, 2004 on the newly formed Manmade Records. This record label was set up by Martin and Choff initially to handle the final Snub album release, however it has since gone on to feature other high quality up-and-coming artists from all over the place. Around the same time a remixed version of their first album - 'Memories In Richter' - had been completed by the remix-master-extraordinaire, Mr Jon 'Frameshift' Clark and entitled 'Remichter' it also came out on Manmade Records. ...And then decisively, the last ever show was played at their beloved Mr Smiths in Bournemouth on Saturday 3rd July, 2004 and it was the bands official goodbye. This time its for good - absolutely no returns - and it ends the run of a band which produced some of the most awe-inspiring and aggressive metalcore performances and entertained a loyal set of fans for nine years of pure delight. Thanks guys - it was a blast... ...but is it really goodbye to old friends? Ex-members Martin Jeffery and Choff are not only maintaining their presence in the scene with Manmade Records - giving chances to up and coming bands that need a break - but out of the ashes another band immediately formed. You've Been Lied To are Martin and Choff's new five-piece band with completely new songs and incredibly they are aiming to be far more brutal than Snub ever was. Initially they were called ELIAS but were forced to change the name for legal reasons, and now armed with an improved moniker it's great to know that the pair really do feel that they've found their spiritual "home" musically with this band. They will be hitting the studio anytime now to lay down tracks for their first ever demo! The resulting EP will be released through Manmade Records and more details, including a track listing, are available through the band's temporary website at www.elias.org.uk. Another chapter but to different story... Rigsby (April, 2005). Band official website:
www.snub.co.uk |