Chord. Spring Edition Chord. Spring Edition
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SNIDE
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Ben Russell and The Charmers
Originally forming in Spain eight years ago, Kentbased band SNIDE have been bringing in lovers of punk rock from all over the South East to their shows. Roxii Hoare-Smith spoke with bassist and backing singer Nobby about spooky coincidences, falling onto drum kits and Kent’s punk scene. SNIDE consists of five members aged between 29 and 50, Nobby being the oldest who turns 51 this June. SNIDE consists of five members aged between 29 and 50, Nobby being the oldest who turns 51 this June. In SNIDE there is Lou on vocals, Ray playing lead guitar and vocals, Rob on rhythm guitar, Scruffy on drums and Nobby. Nobby describes the band’s music as punky and rocky, “fastish with some kind of tune,” he says Nobby describes the band’s music as punky and rocky, “Fastish with some kind of tune,” he says and when we chat the band are yet to play their first gig together after only recently forming in December. Nobby originally grew up and went to school in Leigh-On-Sea in Essex but moved to Maidstone 20 years ago to live with his wife in Parkwood, Maidstone. He has been playing music since he was a child and currently tours with his two bands, both based in Maidstone, which he formed – SNIDE and Vince Vortex and The Cucumbers – around the UK. The original SNIDE line up formed eight years ago in Spain. Nobby first got involved by answering an ad in local English weekly newspaper in Spain. “A guitarist had just moved out to Spain where I was living for a little while with my wife and he was looking for musicians. The spooky thing was, we both started work at the same place the same day too
before we knew of each other,” he says. Unlike Maidstone, the music scene in Spain was really dire, Nobby, says it only consisted of karaoke or one man on guitar with some backing tracks and tribute bands. By forming SNIDE they wanted to give the area something different. “We thought we would start a punk covers band. Unfortunately, the word ‘punk’ still scared the
up with playing empty venues up and down the country. Their new plan for 2014 was to stay local as Kent has a very strong punk scene at present. Although this plan has been altered after being offered gigs they could not refuse in Skegness and Houghton Regis. The future is looking bright for SNIDE and Nobby hopes to continue to tour and possibly record new songs.
time playing in Romford when past vocalist Tom got a bit too excited on stage. “If you are in a band, there are so many fun times, but I guess the two times we still look ‘New age’ Canterbury based reggae band Ben Russell and The Charmers regularly play popular Maidstone venue The Rafters on weekends back and chuckle about “You learn quickly spits you out.” The Charmers is the one is once our then vocalist Their name is no lie. The music Ben Rusabout jealously and that Ben refers to The Beafor you. Their 40 minute, Tom, got a bit excited in sell and The Charmers create is rather you can never change the tles song ‘In The End’ and nine track album is now his movements on stage, charming. It is relaxing, feel-good, ‘new haters and we wouldn’t the particular lyric ‘and in available on Amazon. tripped backwards over want to go to their level. the end, the love you take Beware their music a cable and fell into the age’ reggae. Their music instantly proThe people that matter is equal to the love you is addictive and by the drum kit mid song. Luck- vides you with a happy summer feeling, know the truth, so it was make’. end of the album you will ily the drummer was not it feels as though it is time to go outside just powerful lesson for “That to me sums it most likely have the altoo phased, did not miss us really,” Ben says runup, what ever you put in, bum on repeat. a beat and carried on!” and start that BBQ, even if it is raining. ning his fingers through you get out,” he adds. Check out of review Nobby says. Their music is difing in the Catherdral City his long brown hair, If you are looking for of their song Always His second funniest ferent, it is something he formed Ben Russell again showing that not a new summer playlist Summer Somewhere on memory was at a bikers unique, something that and The Charmers (BRC). only is his music relaxed, then Ben Russell and page 5. pub in Spain. German has not stepped out of BRC have had their so is he. bikers walking into the Maidstone or Kent bememorable moments. BRC have many gigs bar, ordered their drinks, fore. “We have had full lined up across Kent, insaw them sound checkThe band consists of frontal nudity exhibitions cluding playing the Maiding then left. Ben Russell, who refers from the punters both stone Fringe Festival in Being in a band cre“They complained we to himself as Papa Smurf, male and female May. They have also been ates a strong community. were too loud! Oh dear!” and his seven Charmers “Once we played a gig in the studio recording Nobby says the best part Nobby says. who are aged between and a bunch of Gypsy’s a new 15 track album about being in SNIDE is You can check out 20 and 30. Mel the band crashed the venue and which will be released mostly the punk comSNIDE on Facebook for manager who plays keys we got asked to play this spring. Their website munity as many bands upcoming events: Face- and sings and who Ben UB40 Cherry Oh Baby is currently being created help out each other and book.com/pages/SNIDE. is engaged to, Kev on about 20 times,” Ben and they are planning a bass and vocals, James says. “We have had gigs tour around the UK. The the drummer and dep so rammed with people future is looking charmdrummer Brian. The band that I have nearly lost ing for the band. just employed Tenor Sax my teeth from the mic “I’m am truly grateful player Danny, Tom on stand being constantly that I can do this for a Trombone and Matt on knocked.” living, so I guess if I can Trumpets for when they But just like their feel continue it then I will be play larger shows. The good chilled out music, happy,” Ben says. band originate from Canhis personality is the Ben adds that being terbury but are no stransame, “But hey we love in a band is probably one gers to Maidstone venue it!” he says, even at the of the hardest things you The Rafters, which is one thought of having his can do hence why so litof their favourite venues teeth almost knocked tle become successful. to play. out. “It is like being marBen Russell, who In a band there are ofried to all the members,” writes all the bands muten lessons to be learnt, he says, although for him sic, originally moved to as they worked out a and Mel soon this will be Canterbury from Australfew weeks ago from a the case. ia where he grew up as a rude photographer who “When you are a child leaving his reggae left offensive comments weekend band, its fun. band Pontoon behind. about them on social netBut when you gig four to He moved to Canterbury working site Facebook five times a week and run in November 2010 to live after offering the band it as your only income, with his British girlfriend, a free photo shoot then you need to be clever, now fiancee, Mel, who he demanding a fee from otherwise the industry is in the band with, and them, which they refused just chews you up and Front man Ben Russell is originally from Australia The new SNIDE line up played their first show together in February at a Deptford pub after just one week of beto pay.
“Punk scared the locals”
locals, and gigs were almost impossible to get,” Nobby says. “Many venues even refused us to play when we arrived as we would upset the regulars.” As they could not play in their local area in Spain, they wrote their own material and played Spanish venues on which he calls, the ‘real’ music circuit. Eight years later the Maidstone-based punk rock band, with just Nobby as the only original member, play shows around the South East. So far this year they have played a show in Deptford which was their first gig with the new band line up, and have gigs coming up in Canterbury and Houghton Regis and as far as Chapel Saint Leonards near Skegness for a three charity event for the homeless. SNIDE disbanded over a year ago after seven years together, mostly due to getting fed
there is a strong network. A previous band member mentioned that he was shocked how friendly and appreciative the punk bands and crowds were. This was something he had not experienced when working with metal bands. When asked about the bands friendship and how they get along Nobby, who appears to be extremely stubborn and secretive, simply replies: “You can make your own conclusions...” As with many local bands, full names and how nicknames and band names came about, they are reluctant to tell. When asked what Nobby Snide’s real name is he replies “Why do you need to know? It’s not necessary, and people in music only know me as Nobby,” Showing that his hard punk rock persona maybe isn’t just for show. Nobby talks about a