These Arms Are Snakes
Encyclopedia
These Arms Are Snakes was an American post-hardcore
band that formed in 2002 and featured former members of Botch
and Kill Sadie
. The band was known for their intense live shows, which often feature vocalist Steve Snere crowd surfing
and spending a large portion of the live performance in the audience. Before disbanding in 2009, they released three studio albums: Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home
(2004), Easter
(2006) and Tail Swallower and Dove
(2008). Former members of These Arms Are Snakes currently play in Russian Circles
, Narrows
, Minus the Bear
and Hooves.
They toured with such notable bands as Minus the Bear, Big Business
, Mastodon
, Cursive
, The Blood Brothers, Engine Down
, Hot Water Music
, Isis
, Pelican
, Chiodos
, and Against Me!
.
of sorts (though rarely referred to as such) in 2002 with Steve Snere of Kill Sadie
, Brian Cook
of Botch
, and Ryan Frederiksen of Nineironspitfire in addition to Joe Preston and Jesse Robertson. 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." The group announced that they had signed to Jade Tree Records
in March 2003, and released their debut EP This Is Meant to Hurt You
in August of that year. This was the only release with a full-time keyboardist
, as Jesse Robertson left the band in 2004 after having differences in opinion about the group's touring style. They continued as a four-piece band from this point forward. Before recording their follow-up album to This Is Meant to Hurt You, Joe Preston also left the group and was replaced by Erin Tate
who played in Kill Sadie with Steve Snere and Minus the Bear
. Preston and other members of These Arms Are Snakes got into a van accident with a semi-truck following his farewell show.
(often referred to more simply as either The Lion Sleeps or Oxeneers) released though Jade Tree in September 2004.
In support of Oxeneers, These Arms Are Snakes joined the "Totally Badical Tour" with headliner Underoath
and openers The Chariot
, Hopesfall
, and Fear Before the March of Flames. 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." Band members also experienced friction between themselves and some of the other bands on the tour. Underoath is composed of Christian
band members that would openly express their thoughts on religion and politics and would frequently conflict with the ideals of These Arms Are Snakes.
These Arms Are Snakes followed up their debut album with Like a Virgin, a split EP with Seattle group Harkonen through Hydra Head Records
. 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.
Chris Common. Ben Verellen
would later go on to form his own amplifier company called Verellen Amplifiers. The group's previous conflicts with Underoath would loosely inspire their second studio album, Easter
, released through Jade Tree in 2006. 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 throughout Easter was vocalist Steve Snere trying to examine the "bigger picture" of life and existence.
At the end of 2006, they toured in support of their new album with Thrice
, Planes Mistaken for Stars
, Mouth of the Architect
and Young Widows
. In early 2007, These Arms Are Snakes did a small headlining tour in Europe with various bands, and returned to America to open for Against Me!
and Mastodon
.
—a label that far better supported the band than their previous record label, Jade Tree. 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. Tail Swallower and Dove
was 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. The album was seen as a departure from their more hardcore
-sounding songs and took a more experimental approach, and also more traditional song structures.
During this period, These Arms Are Snakes also released a number of split releases. They released PLCN/TAAS
, a split release with Pelican
through Hydra Head. A limited edition 12" split
with Cook's side project Russian Circles
was released on tour, and a split with Tropics, Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tense
was 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" vinyl through Touch and Go Records
, but later released as a digital download. Their contributed track "Washburn" was recorded during the Tail Swallower and Dove sessions.
with former Botch vocalist Dave Verellen and released their debut album New Distances
in May 2009. Bassist Brian Cook continued work in Russian Circles and released their third album Geneva
in October 2009. Prior to disbanding, These Arms Are Snakes expressed interest in taking their music in a new direction for a potential fourth studio album. Writing and recording was expected to begin in December 2009. Also in 2009, the group announced they had recorded tracks for a split with Minus the Bear and a compilation covers album paying tribute to Nirvana
's In Utero—both of which have yet to be released.
Former members
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band that formed in 2002 and featured former members of Botch
Botch (band)
Botch was a four-piece mathcore band from Tacoma, Washington, United States, that formed in 1993 and disbanded in 2002.-History:The band released two full-length albums and a handful of smaller releases including several singles and an EP. Its members went on an indefinite hiatus to form Roy,...
and Kill Sadie
Kill Sadie
Kill Sadie was a Minneapolis-based post-hardcore band who formed in 1997 and eventually split in 2001 after a large number of line-up changes. It proved to be a launching ground for several influential modern emo, hardcore, and indie musicians, who found larger success in other outfits such as...
. The band was known for their intense live shows, which often feature vocalist Steve Snere crowd surfing
Crowd surfing
Crowd surfing is the process in which a person is passed overhead from person to person during a concert, transferring the person from one part of the venue to another...
and spending a large portion of the live performance in the audience. Before disbanding in 2009, they released three studio albums: Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home
Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Erin Tate – drums and percussion-Additional personnel:...
(2004), Easter
Easter (These Arms Are Snakes album)
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals, pump organ and illustrations*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ, art direction and design-Additional personnel:...
(2006) and Tail Swallower and Dove
Tail Swallower and Dove
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums, percussion, engineering and mixing-Additional personnel:...
(2008). Former members of These Arms Are Snakes currently play in Russian Circles
Russian Circles
Russian Circles is a three piece instrumental rock/metal band from Chicago. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages...
, Narrows
Narrows (band)
Narrows is an American mathcore band based in Seattle, but with members "spread out across both the United States and two continents." The band has been described as a supergroup, as its lineup includes Dave Verellen of Botch and members of bands including Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes and Bullet...
, Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
and Hooves.
They toured with such notable bands as Minus the Bear, Big Business
Big Business (band)
Big Business is a stoner metal/sludge metal band from Seattle who are currently signed to Gold Metal Records.-History:Big Business started as a two piece band composed of Jared Warren of Karp and The Tight Bros From Way Back When, and Coady Willis of Murder City Devils...
, Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
, Cursive
Cursive (band)
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
, The Blood Brothers, Engine Down
Engine Down
Engine Down was a four-piece rock band from Richmond, Virginia, active from 1996-2005. They were a part of the Washington, D.C. area post-hardcore movement, along with bands like The Dismemberment Plan, Q and Not U, and Faraquet...
, Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
, Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
, Pelican
Pelican (band)
Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
, Chiodos
Chiodos
Chiodos is an American post hardcore band from Davison, Michigan. Formed in 2001, the group was originally known as "The Chiodos Bros," the band's name was a tribute to filmmakers Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, responsible for the film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Chiodos released their...
, and Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
.
Formation (2002–2003)
The band formed as a five-piece supergroupSupergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
of sorts (though rarely referred to as such) in 2002 with Steve Snere of Kill Sadie
Kill Sadie
Kill Sadie was a Minneapolis-based post-hardcore band who formed in 1997 and eventually split in 2001 after a large number of line-up changes. It proved to be a launching ground for several influential modern emo, hardcore, and indie musicians, who found larger success in other outfits such as...
, Brian Cook
Brian Cook (musician)
Brian Cook is an American bass guitarist currently in the band Russian Circles. He was also previously a full-time member of Botch, These Arms Are Snakes and Roy, and also a session musician for Mouth of the Architect...
of Botch
Botch (band)
Botch was a four-piece mathcore band from Tacoma, Washington, United States, that formed in 1993 and disbanded in 2002.-History:The band released two full-length albums and a handful of smaller releases including several singles and an EP. Its members went on an indefinite hiatus to form Roy,...
, and Ryan Frederiksen of Nineironspitfire in addition to Joe Preston and Jesse Robertson. 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." The group announced that they had signed to Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
in March 2003, and released their debut EP This Is Meant to Hurt You
This Is Meant to Hurt You
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, pump organ, guitar and MicroKORG*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar and album design*Joe Preston – Drums and design*Jesse Robertson – Keyboard*Steve Snere – vocals-Other personnel:...
in August of that year. This was the only release with a full-time keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, as Jesse Robertson left the band in 2004 after having differences in opinion about the group's touring style. They continued as a four-piece band from this point forward. Before recording their follow-up album to This Is Meant to Hurt You, Joe Preston also left the group and was replaced by Erin Tate
Erin Tate
Erin Tate is the drummer for Seattle-based indie rock band, Minus the Bear. Before starting the band in 2001, he was a member of Kill Sadie. He has also played drums for Askeleton, Amy Blaschke, Heather Duby, Onalaska and These Arms Are Snakes.- Gear :...
who played in Kill Sadie with Steve Snere and Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
. Preston and other members of These Arms Are Snakes got into a van accident with a semi-truck following his farewell show.
Oxeneers (2004–2005)
Losing a full-time keyboardist had an impact on their sound and stage performance, though 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. The loss of Robertson also allowed These Arms Are Snakes to focus on their overall sound and create "stripped-down, spacious arrangements." These changes impacted their debut full-length Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go HomeOxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Erin Tate – drums and percussion-Additional personnel:...
(often referred to more simply as either The Lion Sleeps or Oxeneers) released though Jade Tree in September 2004.
In support of Oxeneers, These Arms Are Snakes joined the "Totally Badical Tour" with headliner Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
and openers The Chariot
The Chariot (band)
The Chariot is an American mathcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, formed in 2003. The current lineup consists of drummer David Kennedy, bassist Jon "KC Wolf" Kindler, vocalist and bandleader Josh Scogin, and guitarists Brandon Henderson and Stephen Harrison. The band has experienced frequent...
, Hopesfall
Hopesfall
Hopesfall was a post-hardcore band from Charlotte, North Carolina formed in 1998. They were signed to Trustkill Records. The band broke up in 2008 after all members, with the exception of singer Jay Forrest, decided to leave the band.-Biography:...
, and Fear Before the March of Flames. 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." Band members also experienced friction between themselves and some of the other bands on the tour. Underoath is composed of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
band members that would openly express their thoughts on religion and politics and would frequently conflict with the ideals of These Arms Are Snakes.
These Arms Are Snakes followed up their debut album with Like a Virgin, a split EP with Seattle group Harkonen through Hydra Head Records
Hydra Head Records
Hydra Head Records is an independent record label which specializes in heavy metal music, founded in New Mexico by Aaron Turner in 1993...
. 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.
Easter (2006–2007)
Verellen quit the band without an explanation given in 2005, and was quickly replaced by drummer and producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Chris Common. Ben Verellen
Ben Verellen
Ben Verellen is an American musician from Tacoma, Washington. Ben Verellen is also the brother of Dave Verellen—member of Botch, Roy, and Narrows.-Musician:...
would later go on to form his own amplifier company called Verellen Amplifiers. The group's previous conflicts with Underoath would loosely inspire their second studio album, Easter
Easter (These Arms Are Snakes album)
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals, pump organ and illustrations*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ, art direction and design-Additional personnel:...
, released through Jade Tree in 2006. 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 throughout Easter was vocalist Steve Snere trying to examine the "bigger picture" of life and existence.
At the end of 2006, they toured in support of their new album with Thrice
Thrice
Thrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school....
, Planes Mistaken for Stars
Planes Mistaken for Stars
Planes Mistaken for Stars was a emocore band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. They released music on Deep Elm Records, Dim Mak Records, No Idea Records and Abacus Recordings.-History:...
, Mouth of the Architect
Mouth of the Architect
Mouth of the Architect is an American atmospheric post-metal band from Dayton, Ohio, creating music influenced by and similar to Neurosis, Isis, Pelican, Cult of Luna, and various post-metal bands.-Biography:...
and Young Widows
Young Widows
Young Widows is an American post-hardcore band from Louisville, Kentucky. They have released three full-length albums and six split EPs.-History:...
. In early 2007, These Arms Are Snakes did a small headlining tour in Europe with various bands, and returned to America to open for Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
and Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
.
Tail Swallower and Dove (2008–2009)
For their third studio album, These Arms Are Snakes signed to Suicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
—a label that far better supported the band than their previous record label, Jade Tree. 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. Tail Swallower and Dove
Tail Swallower and Dove
-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums, percussion, engineering and mixing-Additional personnel:...
was 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. The album was seen as a departure from their more hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
-sounding songs and took a more experimental approach, and also more traditional song structures.
During this period, These Arms Are Snakes also released a number of split releases. They released PLCN/TAAS
Pelican / These Arms Are Snakes
Pelican and These Arms Are Snakes recorded a split EP, often referred to as PLCN/TAAS, on Hydra Head Records in 2008. It was initially released in a limited run of 3000 10" vinyl records and a more limited number of CDs available initially on Pelican's European tour with Torche, and These Arms Are...
, a split release with Pelican
Pelican (band)
Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
through Hydra Head. A limited edition 12" split
Russian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes
Russian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes is a split 12″ EP released for the These Arms Are Snakes and Russian Circles European tour in November 2008. 500 copies were sold on tour and 500 were available on Sargent House's webstore.-Track listing:...
with Cook's side project Russian Circles
Russian Circles
Russian Circles is a three piece instrumental rock/metal band from Chicago. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages...
was released on tour, and a split with Tropics, Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tense
Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tense
-Credits:These Arms Are Snakes is Brian Cook, Chris Common, Ryan Frederiksen & Steve Snere."Meet Your Mayor" Produced by TAAS & Chris Common.Engineered & mixed by Chris Common at Red Room.Tropics is Robin Silas, Jodie Cox, Dan Reeves & Matt Flag....
was also made in limited quantities. The band's final release before disbanding was a split single with All the Saints
All the Saints / These Arms Are Snakes
All the Saints / These Arms Are Snakes is a split 7″ released by These Arms Are Snakes and All The Saints for their North US tour in February and March 2009.-Track listing:...
, which was originally released as a limited edition 7" vinyl through Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
, but later released as a digital download. Their contributed track "Washburn" was recorded during the Tail Swallower and Dove sessions.
Break up (2009–2010)
On January 12, 2010, These Arms Are Snakes announced that they had broken up. Though the announcement was made in 2010, the band had been inactive since late 2009 with most of the members focusing on their respective side projects and other groups. Guitarist Ryan Frederiksen formed NarrowsNarrows (band)
Narrows is an American mathcore band based in Seattle, but with members "spread out across both the United States and two continents." The band has been described as a supergroup, as its lineup includes Dave Verellen of Botch and members of bands including Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes and Bullet...
with former Botch vocalist Dave Verellen and released their debut album New Distances
New Distances
New Distances is the first studio album by the international collaborative Mathcore band Narrows.-Track listing:# "Chambered" − 2:17# "Sea Witch " − 2:15# "A Restoration Effort" − 3:22# "I Give You Six Months" − 2:48# "Changing Clothes" − 2:48...
in May 2009. Bassist Brian Cook continued work in Russian Circles and released their third album Geneva
Geneva (Russian Circles album)
-Personnel:* Mike Sullivan − guitar* Dave Turncrantz − drums* Brian Cook − bass guitar* Alison Chesley − cello* Susan Voelz − violin* Greg Norman − engineering, trumpet, trombone* Brandon Curtis − production, additional piano* Joe Lambert − mastering...
in October 2009. Prior to disbanding, These Arms Are Snakes expressed interest in taking their music in a new direction for a potential fourth studio album. Writing and recording was expected to begin in December 2009. Also in 2009, the group announced they had recorded tracks for a split with Minus the Bear and a compilation covers album paying tribute to Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's In Utero—both of which have yet to be released.
Members
Final lineup- Chris Common – drums (2005–2009)
- Brian CookBrian Cook (musician)Brian Cook is an American bass guitarist currently in the band Russian Circles. He was also previously a full-time member of Botch, These Arms Are Snakes and Roy, and also a session musician for Mouth of the Architect...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, pump organ, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, MicroKORGMicroKORGThe microKORG is a MIDI-capable virtual analog synthesizer/vocoder from Korg featuring high-quality DSP analog modelling. The synth/keyboard is built in such a way that it is essentially a Korg MS-2000 with programmable step arpeggiator , a less advanced vocoder , lack of motion sequencing The...
(2002–2009) - Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, MicroKORG, didgeridoo (2002–2009)
- Steve Snere – vocals, KAOSS pad (2002–2009)
Former members
- Joe Preston – drums (2002–2004)
- Jesse Robertson – keyboards (2002–2004)
- Erin TateErin TateErin Tate is the drummer for Seattle-based indie rock band, Minus the Bear. Before starting the band in 2001, he was a member of Kill Sadie. He has also played drums for Askeleton, Amy Blaschke, Heather Duby, Onalaska and These Arms Are Snakes.- Gear :...
– drums (2004–2005) - Ben VerellenBen VerellenBen Verellen is an American musician from Tacoma, Washington. Ben Verellen is also the brother of Dave Verellen—member of Botch, Roy, and Narrows.-Musician:...
– drums (2005)
Studio albums
- Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go HomeOxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Erin Tate – drums and percussion-Additional personnel:...
(Jade TreeJade Tree RecordsJade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
, 2004) - EasterEaster (These Arms Are Snakes album)-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals, pump organ and illustrations*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ, art direction and design-Additional personnel:...
(Jade Tree, 2006) - Tail Swallower and DoveTail Swallower and Dove-Band members:*Brian Cook – bass guitar, microKORG, vocals and pump organ*Ryan Frederiksen – guitar, pump organ and design*Steve Snere – vocals and microKORG*Chris Common – drums, percussion, engineering and mixing-Additional personnel:...
(Suicide SqueezeSuicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
, 2008)
Split albums
- Like a Virgin (Split with Harkonen) (Hydra HeadHydra Head RecordsHydra Head Records is an independent record label which specializes in heavy metal music, founded in New Mexico by Aaron Turner in 1993...
, 2005) - PLCN/TAAS (Split with PelicanPelican (band)Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
) (Hydra Head, 2008) - Russian Circles / These Arms Are SnakesRussian Circles / These Arms Are SnakesRussian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes is a split 12″ EP released for the These Arms Are Snakes and Russian Circles European tour in November 2008. 500 copies were sold on tour and 500 were available on Sargent House's webstore.-Track listing:...
12" (Split with Russian CirclesRussian CirclesRussian Circles is a three piece instrumental rock/metal band from Chicago. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages...
) (Sargent House, 2008) - Meet Your Mayor / Future Gets TenseMeet Your Mayor / Future Gets Tense-Credits:These Arms Are Snakes is Brian Cook, Chris Common, Ryan Frederiksen & Steve Snere."Meet Your Mayor" Produced by TAAS & Chris Common.Engineered & mixed by Chris Common at Red Room.Tropics is Robin Silas, Jodie Cox, Dan Reeves & Matt Flag....
7" (Split with Tropics) (We-Be, 2008) - All the Saints / These Arms Are SnakesAll the Saints / These Arms Are SnakesAll the Saints / These Arms Are Snakes is a split 7″ released by These Arms Are Snakes and All The Saints for their North US tour in February and March 2009.-Track listing:...
7" (Split with All the Saints) (Touch and GoTouch and Go RecordsTouch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
, 2009) - 7" Split with Minus the BearMinus the BearMinus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
(Vinyl Collective, TBA)
Music videos
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Horse Girl" | Easter |
| 2009 | "Red Line Season" | Tail Swallower and Dove |
Other contributions
| Year | Contributed song | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Old Paradise" | Slaying Since 1996 | Suicide Squeeze |
| TBA | "Heart-Shaped Box Heart-Shaped Box "Heart-Shaped Box" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. The song was released as the first single from the group's third and final studio album, In Utero, in 1993. It was one of two songs from the album mixed by Scott Litt in order to augment... " |
Nirvana cover album | Robotic Empire Robotic Empire Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,... |