The Snakes

The Snakes were a British-Norwegian hard rock band, formed by former Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, and Cozy Powell and former Vagabond singer Jørn Lande in 1997. Eventually the line-up consisted of guitarists Marsden and Moody with Norwegian vocalist , bassist Sid Ringsby, who later joined the Norwegian band TNT, and drummer Willy Bendiksen. The band released two albums and broke up after the second album, in 1999.

Biography

The Snakes were formed by Whitesnake guitarists Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, exclusively performing Whitesnake songs. Initially, the project was called Saints and Sinners and featured other former Whitesnake band mates including, bassist Neil Murray and drummer Cozy Powell, plus American vocalist John West. Powell's left soon afterwards to record his own with West. During August 1998 Once Bitten album was released in Japan on the Pony Canyon label. Former Vagabond vocalist Jørn Lande was drafted in and TNT guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø produced the band. TNT's touring keyboard player Dag Stokke engineered the album. A live album Live in Europe was released in December 1998, with recordings of live performances of Whitesnake songs.

Company of Snakes

Although guitarist Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody had already started to form a new band The Company of Snakes in 1998, it wasn't until 1999 that The Company of Snakes fully evolved. the guitar duo were joined by former Whitesnake and Black Sabbath bassist Neil Murray and former Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Whitesnake keyboard player Don Airey. The new band was fronted by Bad Company singer Robert Hart. By this time Lande also was the front man for Mundus Imperium, Lande, Ringsby, Airey and Bendickson decided to continue with The Snakes with guitarist Tore Morem joining them for further recordings, which were never released.

Band members

• Jørn Lande - lead vocals (1998–1999)
• Bernie Marsden - guitars (1998–1999)
• Micky Moody - guitars (1998–1999)
• Sid Ringsby - bass (1998–1999)
• Willy Bendiksen - drums (1998–1999)

Former members

• John West - vocals (1998)
• Neil Murray - bass (1998)
• Cozy Powell - drums (1998)

The Company of Snakes Band members

• Robert Hart - lead vocals (1999–2000)
• Stefan Berggren - lead vocals (2000–2004)
• Gary Barden - lead vocals (2000)
• Bernie Marsden - guitars (1999–2004)
• Micky Moody - guitars (1999–2004)
• Neil Murray - bass (1999–2004)
• Don Airey - keyboards (1999–2002)
• John Lingwood - drums (1999–2002)

Discography

• Once Bitten (1998)
• Live in Europe (1998)
• Here They Go Again (as The Company of Snakes) SPV (2001)
• Burst the Bubble (as The Company of Snakes) SPV/Steamhammmer (2002)

External links

• Rock Detector The Snakes page
• Jorn Lande's official website