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These Arms Are Snakes

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These Arms Are Snakes
These Arms Are Snakes performing live in Barcelona. Visible are vocalist Steve Snere and drummer Chris Common.
Background information
OriginSeattle,Washington,United States
GenresPost-hardcore,alternative metal
Years active
  • 2002–2009
  • 2016
  • 2021
LabelsSuicide Squeeze,Jade Tree,Mind Over Mater
Past membersChris Common
Brian Cook
Ryan Frederiksen
Joe Preston
Bill Quinby
Jesse Robertson
Steve Snere
Erin Tate
Ben Verellen
Websitethesearmsaresnakes.org

These Arms Are Snakeswas an Americanpost-hardcoreband that formed in 2002 and featured former members ofBotchandKill Sadie.Before disbanding in 2009, they released three studio albums:Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home(2004),Easter(2006) andTail Swallower and Dove(2008). Former members of These Arms Are Snakes currently play inRussian Circles,Narrows,Minus the Bear,Crypts,Dust Moth,and Hooves.

They toured with the bands Minus the Bear,Big Business,Mastodon,Cursive,The Blood Brothers,Engine Down,Hot Water Music,Isis,Pelican,Chiodos,andAgainst Me!.

History

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Formation (2002–2003)

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The band formed as a five-piece in 2002 with Steve Snere ofKill Sadie,Brian CookofBotch,and Ryan Frederiksen of Nineironspitfire in addition to Joe Preston and Jesse Robertson.[1]They chose the name "These Arms Are Snakes" as their band name because it was "ridiculous and [didn't] really sound like any other band name that's out there."[2]The group announced that they had signed toJade Tree Recordsin March 2003,[3]and released their debut EPThis Is Meant to Hurt Youon August 19, 2003.[1][4]This was the only release with a full-timekeyboardist,as Jesse Robertson left the band in 2004 after having differences in opinion about the group's touring style.[5]AllMusicrated the debut EP three stars out of five and called the lyrics "smart [and] cunning."[6]

They continued as a four-piece band from this point forward. Before recording their follow-up album toThis Is Meant to Hurt You,Joe Preston also left the group and was replaced byErin Tatewho played in Kill Sadie with Steve Snere andMinus the Bear.[1]Preston and other members of These Arms Are Snakes got into a van accident with a semi-truck following his farewell show.[7]

Oxeneers(2004–2005)

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Brian Cook would still occasionally perform keys throughout the remainder of the group's existence. According to Ryan Frederiksen, this move opened up more space on stage allowing them to "run free across the whole stage," allowing for a more intense live show.[5]The loss of Robertson also allowed These Arms Are Snakes to focus on their overall sound and create "stripped-down, spacious arrangements."[5]These changes impacted their debut full-lengthOxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home(often referred to more simply as eitherThe Lion SleepsorOxeneers) released through Jade Tree in September 2004.

In support ofOxeneers,These Arms Are Snakes joined the "Totally Badical Tour" with headlinerUnderoathand openersThe Chariot,Hopesfall,andFear Before the March of Flames.[8]The band was not warmly received on this tour. Audience members bought merchandise, though according to the group this felt more like an "empty gesture."[9]Band members also experienced friction between themselves and some of the other bands on the tour. The members of Underoath were at the time ardentChristians,openly expressing their thoughts on religion and politics and frequently conflicting with the ideals of These Arms Are Snakes.[10]

Artwork ofLike a Virgin(EP)

These Arms Are Snakes followed up their debut album withLike a Virgin,a split EP with Seattle groupHarkonenthroughHydra Head Recordsand Mind Over Matter Records.[7]The EP featured two new tracks from both bands, and one track written and performed by both groups. This would be the second and final release with drummer Erin Tate, who was replaced by Ben Verellen in 2005 before going on tour with Minus the Bear.[11]One of the tracks included is "Touched for the Very First Time" in collaboration with the band Harkonen.[12]

Easter(2006–2007)

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Verellen quit the band without an explanation given in 2005, and was quickly replaced by drummer andproducerChris Common.[13]Ben Verellenwould later go on to joinHelms Aleeand form his own amplifier company called Verellen Amplifiers.[14][15]The group's previous conflicts with Underoath would loosely inspire their second studio album,Easter,released through Jade Tree in 2006.[10]While These Arms Are Snakes weren't trying to make a public statement about organized religion, themes about religion (most notably on "Perpetual Bris" ) were present. A more prominent lyrical theme throughoutEasterwas vocalist Steve Snere trying to examine the "bigger picture" of life and existence.[10][16]

At the end of 2006, they toured in support of their new album withThrice,Planes Mistaken for Stars,Mouth of the ArchitectandYoung Widows.[17]In early 2007, These Arms Are Snakes did a small headlining tour in Europe with various bands, and returned to America to open forAgainst Me!andMastodon.[18]

Tail Swallower and Dove(2008–2009)

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For their third studio album, These Arms Are Snakes signed toSuicide Squeeze Records—a label that far better supported the band than their previous record label, Jade Tree.[9]Over their former label, they praised Suicide Squeeze's treatment of the band and ability to market and sell records, in addition to being with more familiar groups like Minus the Bear.[19]Tail Swallower and Dovewas released in October 2008. It was again produced by Chris Common and was only recorded in one month—the shortest recording period of an album for the group.[19]The album was seen as a departure from their morehardcore-sounding songs and took a more experimental approach, and also more traditional song structures.[2][19]

During this period, These Arms Are Snakes also released a number of split releases. They releasedPelican / These Arms Are Snakes,a split release withPelicanthrough Hydra Head. A limited edition 12-inch split with Cook's side projectRussian Circleswas released on tour, and a split with Tropics,Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tensewas also made in limited quantities. The band's final release before disbanding was a split single with All the Saints, which was originally released as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl throughTouch and Go Records,but later released as a digital download.[9][20]Their contributed track "Washburn" was recorded during theTail Swallower and Dovesessions.[9]

Break up (2009–2010)

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On December 25, 2009 These Arms Are Snakes announced that they had broken up.[21]The band had been inactive since late 2009 with most of the members focusing on their respective side projects. Guitarist Ryan Frederiksen had formedNarrowsin 2008 with former Botch vocalist Dave Verellen and released their debut albumNew Distancesin May 2009. Bassist Brian Cook focused on Russian Circles who had released their third albumGenevain October 2009. Prior to disbanding, These Arms Are Snakes had expressed interest in taking their music in a new direction for a potential fourth studio album,[22]with writing and recording expected to begin in December 2009.[9]

Also in 2009, the group announced they had recorded tracks for a split with Minus the Bear and a compilation covers album paying tribute toNirvana'sIn Utero[22]—both of which were unreleased at the time of the band's break up. After seven years of "extended delays and legal wrangling,"Robotic EmpirereleasedIn Utero, in Tribute, in EntiretyonRecord Store Day2014, which features These Arms Are Snakes' cover of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box."[23]The split EP with Minus the Bear failed to materialize, so the band decided to use the track intended for that release — a cover ofLost Sounds' song "Energy Drink and the Long Walk Home" — for a split release withThe Coathangersinstead, which was released in December 2014.[24]Cook said he thought that with the exception of a 4-song demo recorded beforeThis Is Meant to Hurt You,the Lost Sounds cover was the final recorded but unreleased material from These Arms Are Snakes.[24]

Since disbanding, These Arms Are Snakes have performed two reunion shows: a secret reunion show in Seattle on December 29, 2016[25]and a publicly announced show in Seattle on August 28, 2021.[26]

In April 2022, These Arms Are Snakes releasedDuct Tape & Shivering Crowsthrough Suicide Squeeze. The album compiles all of the band's non-album tracks, split EP songs and compilation contributions, in addition to the band's unreleased original four-song demo recorded beforeThis Is Meant to Hurt You.[27]

Members

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Final lineup

Former members

  • Bill Quinby – guitar(2002)
  • Joe Preston – drums(2002–2004)
  • Jesse Robertson –keyboards(2002–2004)
  • Erin Tate– drums(2004–2005)
  • Ben Verellen– drums(2005)


Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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  • This Is Meant to Hurt You(Jade Tree, 2003)

Split albums

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  • Like a Virgin(Split withHarkonen) (Hydra Head/Mind Over Matter, 2004)
  • PLCN/TAAS(Split withPelican) (Hydra Head, 2008)
  • Russian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes12 "(Split withRussian Circles) (Sargent House, 2008)
  • Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tense7 "(Split with Tropics) (We-Be, 2008)
  • All the Saints / These Arms Are Snakes7 "(Split with All the Saints) (Touch and Go,2009)
  • The Coathangers / These Arms Are Snakes(Split withThe Coathangers) (Suicide Squeeze, 2014)[24]

Singles

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  • Good Friday7 "(Suicide Squeeze, 2006)[28]

Compilation albums

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  • Duct Tape & Shivering Crows(Suicide Squeeze, 2022)[27]

Music videos

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Year Song Album
2006 "Horse Girl"[29] Easter
2009 "Red Line Season"[30] Tail Swallower and Dove

Other contributions

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Year Contributed song Album Label
2006 "Old Paradise" Slaying Since 1996[31] Suicide Squeeze
2014 "Heart-Shaped Box" In Utero, in Tribute, in Entirety[22][23] Robotic Empire

References

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  1. ^abcMason, Stewart."These Arms Are Snakes – Biography".Allmusic.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  2. ^abSchild, Matt (February 22, 2009)."These Arms Are Snakes: The progressive punk band stands up to Jello Biafra".The A.V. Club.The Onion.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  3. ^White, Adam (March 25, 2003)."Jade Tree Signs These Arms Are Snakes".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  4. ^"CMJ New Music Report".2003-08-25.
  5. ^abcSchild, Matt (October 11, 2004)."Armed and Dangerous".Aversion.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  6. ^"This is Meant to Hurt YouReview ".Allmusic.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  7. ^abWhite, Adam (January 28, 2004)."These Arms Are Snakes lose drummer / split EP with Harkonen".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  8. ^Paul, Aubin (February 3, 2005)."Tours: Underoath headlining The Totally Badical Tour".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  9. ^abcdeLarson, Dwayne (September 18, 2009)."These Arms Are Snakes Interview".ThePunkSite.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 20, 2012.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  10. ^abcRamirez, Carlos (October 1, 2008)."Brian Cook Interview".SMN News.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  11. ^Paul, Aubin (July 31, 2005)."These Arms are Snakes loses and finds drummer".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  12. ^"Now: This Week's Essential New Releases".CMJ New Music Report.June 28, 2004. p. 6.
  13. ^"For The Record: Quick News On 50 Cent, Ciara, Ashlee Simpson, Gorillaz, Dave Matthews Band, Jet & More".MTV.August 1, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2005.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  14. ^"Helms Alee Kick Off West Coast Tour W/ Boris and Red Sparrows".AltSounds.August 27, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon October 2, 2012.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  15. ^Cook, Brian (May 21, 2008)."The Business of Booming".The Stranger.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  16. ^Reighley, Kurt B. (December 12, 2006)."Built on Symbols".The Stranger.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  17. ^Paul, Aubin (October 7, 2006)."Tours: These Arms Are Snakes (UK, USA)".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  18. ^Paul, Aubin (March 8, 2007)."Tours: These Arms Are Snakes (USA, UK, Europe)".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  19. ^abcD'Auria, Jonathan."This Is Meant to Hurt You".The Grixer.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  20. ^Paul, Aubin (September 10, 2009)."Media: These Arms Are Snakes:" Washburn "".Punknews.org.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  21. ^Tate, Jason (January 12, 2010)."These Arms Are Break-Ups".AbsolutePunk.net.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  22. ^abcPfleider, Adam (November 4, 2009)."These Arms Are Snakes Interview".AbsolutePunk.net.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  23. ^abHudson, Alex (February 20, 2014)."Nirvana's 'In Utero' Gets Record Store Day Tribute Album Featuring Jay Reatard, Ceremony, Thursday".Exclaim!.RetrievedFebruary 20,2014.
  24. ^abcPessaro, Fred (December 1, 2014)."Brian Cook On the New These Arms Are Snakes Track, Russian Circles, and Pesky Botch Reunion Rumors".Noisey.Vice.RetrievedDecember 1,2014.
  25. ^BV Staff (December 30, 2016)."These Arms Are Snakes reunited & played a show (video)".BrooklynVegan.SpinMedia.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  26. ^"These Arms Are Snakes Announce August Reunion Show".ThePRP. June 19, 2021.RetrievedJune 21,2021.
  27. ^abMajor, Michael (February 15, 2022)."These Arms Are Snakes Announce 'Duct Tape & Shivering Crows'".BroadwayWorld.RetrievedFebruary 16,2022.
  28. ^"These Arms Are Snakes Signs With Suicide Squeeze".Blabbermouth.net.Roadrunner Records.May 7, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2013.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  29. ^""Horse Girl" Music Video ".Yahoo! Music.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  30. ^""Red Line Season" Music Video ".MTV.February 20, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2010.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  31. ^MacNeil, Jason."Slaying Since 1996 – Overview".Allmusic.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
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