Sierra LaDuke
After years of slithering around with new songs, Snake! Snake! Snakes! are ready to release their new album, “Tranquilo,” on Saturday night at Crescent Ballroom.
The local band with the exclamatory, repetitive, reptilian name has not released new music since 2012 — allowing time for a significant sound transformation.
Their old stuff was written around pianist George Rodriguez, but after his exit and Dan Almond’s entrance three years ago, the band’s anthemic style was replaced with elements of psychedelic punk rock.
“The sound is different because the band is different,” bassist Chris Sanchez said.
Sanchez has been playing with vocalist Jon Messenger for 10 years. The duo went through several drummers before landing David Cooper in 2010 and finding Almond three years later.
Sanchez said keeping everyone on the same page is one of the hardest parts of being in a band.
“It’s like having a girlfriend and a job; it takes a lot of patience,” he said with a laugh.
The band members typically agree quickly when posed with decisions such as the question of finding a name for their new album. When brainstorming, Sanchez said he threw the name “Tranquilo” out.
“Everyone said, ‘F it; we’re just going to go with it,’” Sanchez said. “We like the Spanish influence. We’re keeping it ‘Arizona’ in a way.”
Chuckie Duff, owner of record label Common Wall Media, said he believes the smooth progression from one song to the next is what differentiates “Tranquilo” from the band’s 2010 EP.
“The thing that strikes me about the record is just how cohesive it is. It’s really an album. From start to finish, it has a similar feel and vibe,” Duff said.
Duff said he often witnesses bands get a little too experimental with their second records, but Snake! Snake! Snakes! instead honed their sound into something “more accessible.”
Duff and Sanchez both mentioned that this album presents a very “stripped-down” and raw form of music.
They maintained this simplistic approach when selecting other local bands for their upcoming show at Crescent. Arizona bands Playboy Manbaby, PRO TEENS and Strange Lot will be joining Snake! Snake! Snakes! on the bill.
In anticipation of the performances, Duff said, “There’s no pretense, just straightforward rock ‘n’ roll.”
Contact the author at Sierra.Laduke@asu.edu
Contact the columnist at Emily.Liu@asu.edu
