Kentucky Fried Reptiles:
Smutstrutter VS. Pick Up the Snake
________________________________________________________________________________________

Fifty miles outside of Lexington, KY and I found myself in Waynesburg around three years ago. Following Mapquest’s every turn on its directions, and I was bound to get to this very special occasion. My best friend in the name of rock’s religion, Leila (bassist in Vibrolas) was marrying the well-groomed Hosner man (ex Hookers member). I knew as soon as I seen the locals setting up for a Demolition Derby to be held the next day I was in the right town. I pulled up to what looked like a church, with the exact same address on the invitation. I heard this hooping and hollering inside, and thought this has got to be my wild ass friends inside of it. I prayed I wasn’t too late for there is nothing more embarrassing than showing up to the Lord’s house late. As I reached for the door, I remembered something very important a little too late. This was supposed to be an outside wedding. The mass amount of energy that hit me once I stepped one foot in, was unknown to man. There was only about a handful of people inside, but not a one of them appeared to be the sane frame of mind. They were writhing on the floor, and shaking on their shins! One of them even welcomed me further in. I told them I was in the wrong place, and this was all a mistake, but they reassured my mistakes would be forgiven and to come praise the lord with them. I backed away slowly, but nearly booked it when I thought I heard a snake. After recently digging up the heaviest trench riff band out of Maryville, TN I realized I’m not the only one with a Snakephobia.

Maryville, TN Population: 23120 and in the same hills in which snake handling first existed, or could be argued by Alabama and Georgia. One thing I’m going to argue this band preaches with Nathan’s lyrics, like a serpent to their obeyed followers. Unlike those who have to practice hard at it, it only comes natural to a man whose father was a preacher. Along with Wright’s and Boroff’s snake writhing guitar neck-holds, one is bound to become a believer. Matt and Dereck make up the other half of the sect practicing this very rare breed of Snake Cult Rock religion. Once I caught up with Wayne, who looks like Red Beard went lumberjack, we had a small chat.

Smutstrutter: Ever have any run-ins with Bible Bangers or MAD members (Mother Against Doom)

Boroff:  We really haven't had any run-ins with bible thumpers at all. I don't think it's as bad as people make it out to be in some parts of the Bible Belt. So far we've had positive feedback with the live set and the EP we released. About the Snake Handling churches, I can't think of any around Knoxville. We just used them for inspiration.

Ever had a snake on the stage with you?

We've talked about bringing a live snake a show but we realized we all have a phobia for snakes. A rattle snake would best represent us, though. That's what the Snake Handling churches use and how we got the name of the band. You've got to have the same kind of crazy faith in your music like the Snake Hanlders have in picking up snakes to show their faith in God.

What kind of offerings do your cult, fan base bring you?

I can't really think of a time someone has offered us something other than drinks. It's pretty cool when you are getting free booze while you are up there playing! 

It depends on what you call a cult fanbase. I think we've got a strong local following right now and with some more gigs out of town we can spread the word about the band which will really help us out a lot. I think we've got to get some time under our belts before we have a strong cult fanbase.

How did you guys come together?

Kane and Destruction Overdrive were bands that I was in a few years back. It’s kinda like, a mix of Pantera and Black Label Society. We played the local Knoxville scene for a while until our vocalist left the band. The drummer, bassist and myself were looking for a new vocalist when I ran into Nathan Wright who was the ex vocalist/lead guitarist for a band called Skeyebone.

How did you get inspired to doom it down a little?

I think it was the direction Nathan and I wanted to go. I was really into Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Place of Skulls type stuff already but when I met up with Nathan, he really pushed me into the underground stuff which lead me more to do a doom/ stoner rock band. That eventually lead to us parting ways with the Kane/Destruction Overdrive drummer and bassist.

Do you ever foresee this band parting?

Well, I've got a very supportive wife and family to back me up.

I'm very lucky to have the people that I have in my life, or I wouldn't be playing at all. We plan on having this band around for a long time.

What gig started it all?

We played our first gig with Place Of Skulls in '04. I think that was the only gig we have done with them, but Kane and Skeyebone did gigs with Place Of Skulls before. Nathan and I have known Victor for awhile now, so once they get out to support their new record I'm sure we'll do some show together.

Any other bands in and out of TN you want to see Pick Up The Snake play with?

We've been dying to do some shows with Wino's band, The Hidden Hand, but he is a hard man to get in touch with. The Sword, Valkyrie, Throttlerod. Really, we would like to trade out with any band from the DC area, also. That's seems to be the place for a lot of doom/stoner bands. As far as TN goes, Muleface are our brothers, and we could trade shows with Leslie Woods and Dark Mountain Orchard.

Upcoming shows outside of the Bible belt?

The only out of town date we have is the Templars Of Doom Fest in Indianapolis, IN in October. We plan on doing 8 or 9 dates around that. It's possible we'll do a small tour with Muleface and dates with Place Of Skulls, also. Who knows, though? It's still early. But, we look forward to making our way up north for sure!

www.pickupthesnake.com
______________________________________________________________________________________

-Snakestrutter