It occurred to me recently that I didn’t actually own an original copy of The Amazing Snakeheads Amphetamine Ballads, it’s one of my all-time favourite albums so I finally got round to getting myself a copy the other day! This got me pondering about what would/could have been if they hadn’t originally disbanded after only just one album and a handful of EP’s, but cruel fate would have it that we will never know the full potential of frontman Dale Barclay after he sadly passed away last year.
Dale Barclay formed the Amazing Snakeheads in Glasgow with William Coombe and Jordon Hutchinson in 2010. The band established a reputation for their energy-fuelled, crazy live shows, eventually signing to Domino and releasing their sole album, Amphetamine Ballads, in 2014. The group dissolved the next year and perhaps this is what makes their sound even more poignant; they came in with a bang and left on what was a soaring high! I guess we’ll never know what could have been had they stayed together and are instead just left with what I consider to be one hell of a unique collection of songs! There isn’t anything that came before or that has existed after with a sound like this and, just like the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The Amazing Snakeheads have carved out a very firm place in my musical heart…I just wish I’d have got to see them live!
The Truth Serum is a frenzied ball of insane chaos, fuelled by a furious rhythm section and ignited Barclay’s untamed vocals…It marked the beginning of their glorious (albeit far too short) musical career and was to be their first single released on Domino Records in 2013….I love it to bits! Listen above.
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