THE WHALING SNAILS
 
Also known as The Wailing Snails, the band formed in late '77 and played well over 100 gigs all over Sussex until their demise sometime in 1980. The Snails repertoire consisted of half covers (mostly R&B) and half originals and featured the unique songwriting of Ben Waters (aka Benjamin Horrendous) with guitarist Tom Paddle (Wild Billy Paddle) and drummer Tony Waters (Bill Ding) also contributing songs.

Ben recalls:
"Tom and I share the same birthday, and I guess we were the two 'driving forces' as far as musical direction went. Tom wanted to go more R+B, I wanted to go more weird. We compromised in the middle somewhere."

Other members of the band included Dennis Marsland (aka Dennis Martian) on vocals and Ivor Hendley (Vital Will) on tenor and soprano sax. The line-up was later augmented by Peter Out (ex Dip Dazzle and the Indicators) on keyboards and Vicky and Norman on backing vocals. Six months before the band split, Dennis Martian quit and the band continued with Ben and Tom sharing lead vocals.

Lyrics, music and other Whaling Snails regalia can be found at http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~bgwaters/whalingsnails.html

The Whaling Snails CD
 

    The Whaling Snails
 
    1. PROBLEMS
    2. LITTLE GTO
    3. HOT RODDING KID
    4. THE HO HO HO
    5. THINGS WE USED TO DO
    6. LIFE'S A BORE
    7. GREEN ALPINE PARROT
    8. MR. HOWLING WOLF
Back