One of the songs slithering around Rocks Off’s head lately is “Snake Farm,” the title track to grizzled Hill Country troubador Ray Wylie Hubbard’s 2006 album, where the singer and a comely employee of the ramshackle reptile house between San Marcos and New Braunfels get it on amongst the other tongue-flicking creatures.
That set him wondering how many other musicians the legless vipers have inspired, both musically and visually, and it turns out quite a few others have snakes on the brain. All manner of serpents have appeared on album covers in cartoon, near-abstract, Fangoria and – in a couple of brave muscians’ cases – quite real form. Like Jim Carrey memorably said on Saturday Night Live, come along with Rocks off and ride the snake… – Chris Gray
This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2008.
