The Snake Corps - Ophidian




Vocals - Marc Lewis

Guitar - Tristan Garel-Funk

Keyboard - Ian Gibson

Bass - Jim Blanchard

Drums - Jon Greville

Originally formed in 1984, The Snake Corps built on the cult success of Tristan Garel-Funk's previous band, Sad Lovers & Giants. They tourd extensively around Europe after eschewing the 'toilet circuit' in the UK. and quickly found a respectable overseas following from all over the world.

By the time '3rd Cup', the bands third album, was recorded the band had experienced many changes in the line-up. However the constant nucleus of Lewis and Garel-Funk always remained, the two having shared a flat in North London after Lewis answered Grarel-Funks advert for a singer in Melody Maker.

The bands influences have always been to diverse to ever allow them to be easily catergorised by genre. This proved problematic when searching for a suitable label to satisfy the growing demand for the product. British major labels were always wrong-footed by songs of almost filmic beauty performed live with enormous muscle. The bigger indie labels also lacked enthusiasm because of the reaction to the UK press, on whom they heavily rely, who disliked the bands unwillingness to bother with the UK gigs. Thus the Snake Corps ended up signing to Midnight - an indie backwater where at least their music had an outlet and they were under no artistic or commercial pressure.

Unfortunately, Midnight's lack of the commercial imperative led to the labels demise at the hands of the reciever in 1992, and '3rd Cup', the bands third album was buried along with many other projects which were then nearing completion.

Personal relations within the band had reached a despondant low at the same time as the labels crash, with particular existing between Garel-Funk and Lewis; the net result being that no attempts were made to exhume 'The 3rd Cup'.

Until now......

A friend of Garel-Funk's at Ophidian Records, knowing the loyal following of the band have always had right back from the Sad Lovers & Giants days, asked to hear the album and , immediately impressed, set about digging up the master for European release.

The band have never been ephemeral or pop and therefore this, their best work is as valid today as it was when completed 6 years ago.