First off please could you tell me who is in the band and what everyone does?
The Snips are Ricky – vocals/trumpet, Tone – guitar, Barty – bass, Fuller – drums, Rat – guitar/trombone and Bobbo - guitar
How would you describe The Snips in terms of sound/genre?
We still and always will consider ourselves a punk rock band. It’s where we started and were we found most of our early influences. Maybe we have a bit of a rock’n’roll influence now but it’s always been about getting people to boogie in which ever way they choose.
What label are you signed to?
In Canada – Drive Entertainment. And we are waiting to announce other markets
Who would you cite as being your five main influences when it comes to music?
I’m sure everyone is this band would have a different list when it comes to main influences. Actually I’m positive! So I’m gonna try and do my best here, maybe skewing towards my main influences. The bands/artist who have influenced us in a big way
Nirvana
The Beatles
NOFX
Smashing Pumpkins
ROBOWHORE
I first heard of you in 2005 and you were called the Ceremonial Snips. You have since dropped 'ceremonial' from your name, what was the reason behind this?
We had a line-up change when Mike (our singer) left the band and Ricky took over. We were writing for our new album and felt that we were starting to go in slightly different direction. Everyone called us The Snips anyway so we felt that it was the perfect time to have a sorta fresh start. Rolls off the tongue easier too. I don’t think anyone will miss the “ceremonial” or notice it being gone for that matter.
I totally loved your release 'Check Your Audio'. How does your latest EP release 'Blackouts' compare?
First off, thanks. Well since ‘Check’ we have had some movement within the band. Mike who sang on ‘Check’ is no longer in the band, and Ricky who played trumpet and now the singer. Rat who was/is the trombone player, now plays guitar as well as the horn. And we acquired Fuller on drums, whose influence has been huge. Sound wise, ‘Blackouts’ is more rock’n’roll than what ‘Check’ was. I think our influences have all changed since the last album and we became a bit more confident and willing to maybe try a few things. We have definitely evolved since our last album, and it’s something we’re fucking excited to have people listen to. So listen to it.
How long has the band been together and is the current line up the same as the line up when you first started? (who left/joined?)
The Snips actually started with a few buddies getting together over some pizza in 1999. We’re well into, slightly past our 10 year mark. (Geeze. Learn how to quit). We were in highschool and not really taking anything too seriously. From that group guys Ricky, Bart and I remain. We been through a couple of drummers since then, Vrba, Clay who was on “Fuck the Pain, Bring the Noise” and “Check You Audio” and then to our current drummer Fuller. We added Bobbo on guitar and swapped in Rick on vocals for Mike. Oh, and we found Rat, a lonely traveller, to play trombone and now guitar.
Did any of you play in other bands before The Snips?
Fuller has played in a slew of bands, In These Walls and View From Afar to name a couple ,and Bobbo came from the metal band, Murder Thy Maker. All worth checking out. Rick and I have also been seen playing in the legendary ROBOWHORE.
If you could support any band in the world on tour (a band who you haven't supported before) who would you pick?
Again, everyone in the band would probably have an opinion on this. So I’m gonna take a guess on what everyone would say
Bobbo – Megadeath
Fuller – Foo Fighters
Ricky – The Dwarves
Rat – Primus
Barty – Xstina
Tone – Smashing Pumpkins
Recommend four bands who you think we need to hear and tell us why we should check them out...
Well here’s Tone’s list of bands you should check out, based solely on my opinions...
1)Silversun Pickups – if you don’t like em you should
2)Mother Mother – When you hear em you’ll know why
3)The Bronx – self explanatory
4)The Black Keys – feel good
What's the best thing and what's the worst thing about being on tour?
The best thing about being on tour is the actual tour. You get to see places, usually in a haze, meet friends and travel while preaching our gospel.
The worst thing about tour is the smells emanating from the van.
What could we expect to see on a typical Snips rider?
Pizza
Liquor
Marlboros (we never get em)
Tell us something crazy that's happened at one of your shows...
Things breaking, people barfing, Tone falling. We’re pretty much a circus on stage so things happen often.
You are friends with The Flatliners and you have played a lot of gigs with them in Canada. Are you looking forward to your tour with them in February?
Those fellas are old buddies of ours. We always enjoy fucking raging with our little rager brothers. So ya, of course we’re excited, we just hope the east coast have their party shoes on.
We have seen Flatliners over here in the UK a few times now...any plans for you to tour with them in the UK? (please come and visit!)
We are definitely planning on crossing the pond, when that will be will all depend.
More generally, what are your plans for 2010? What three things would you like to have achieved come December?
We plan on touring as much a possible to get our E.P. heard by as many people as possible. Everywhere and anywhere. As for goals, release our full length, play major festivals and eat more pizza than last year. We’re already well on our way on the last goal.
