Snake River Conspiracy

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Snake River Conspiracy
Snake River Conspiracy in 2000. From left to right: Geoff Tyson, Rob Patterson, Tobey Torres and Jason Slater
Snake River Conspiracy in 2000.
From left to right: Geoff Tyson, Rob Patterson, Tobey Torres and Jason Slater
Background information
Also known asSRC
OriginSan Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1996–2006
  • 2012–2020
  • 2022–present
Labels
SpinoffsMojave Phone Booth
Members
Past members
Snake River Conspiracy logo.jpg

Snake River Conspiracy (SRC) is an American industrial rock band. It was formed in 1996 in the San Francisco Bay Area by producers Eric Valentine and Jason Slater. The band's vocalist, Tobey Torres, was recruited in 1998.[2]

After signing with Reprise Records, Snake River Conspiracy issued their debut album, Sonic Jihad (2000), which received largely positive reviews but experienced little commercial success. Between 2001[3] and 2006, Snake River Conspiracy attempted to record a second album tentatively titled SRC2, but its conception was stunted by the band's departure from Reprise in early 2002, and numerous interpersonal conflicts during this period led to several changes in band personnel, with Slater remaining the band's sole constant member.[4] The band finally split up in September 2006, with the album remaining unfinished.

Slater revisited Snake River Conspiracy and SRC2 in 2012, and continued to work on the album for the remainder of the decade until his death in December 2020. Tobey Torres and Mitchell Doran revived the band in 2022, and have plans to release new music in 2023.[5]

History[edit]

Formation and Sonic Jihad (1996–2000)[edit]

Snake River Conspiracy was founded in 1996[6][7] as a project of producer Eric Valentine and Jason Slater, a former member of Third Eye Blind. After forming, the band hired Tobey Torres to be the band's singer. The band was initially signed to Interscope Records in 1998 on the strength of a two-song demo, and shortly after signing to the label Valentine opted out of the band to focus on his music production career.[2][8] Problems at Interscope led to the band moving to Elektra Records and then Reprise Records.[2][9][8] The band's debut EP/single, "Vulcan", was released on October 5, 1999; it received rave reviews from critics, and was named "Single of the Week" by the British music magazine NME.[10]

SRC's debut album, Sonic Jihad, was released in the United States on July 11, 2000.[11] The band found moderate success in the United States with their cover of "How Soon Is Now?" by The Smiths, which reached a peak of number 15 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart[12] and number 38 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.[13] The single was promoted with an alleged quote from Morrissey praising the song as "Better than the original",[14][15] although he would later go on to "sardonically" praise the song as such in an April 2001 interview with Mojo magazine.[16] In response to the Mojo article, "How Soon Is Now?" was reissued as a single in the UK by Morpheus Records in July 2001, where it subsequently reached number 83 on the UK Singles Chart.[17][18][19] Despite the success of the "How Soon Is Now?" cover, Sonic Jihad was ultimately a commercial failure, and only reached number 36 on the Billboard Heatseeker Albums chart.[20] Slater blamed the album's failure on Reprise's inability to properly promote the album on MTV and radio, but also attributed some of the blame to the album's production and sound.[21]

SRC2 and breakup (2001–2006)[edit]

Snake River Conspiracy's final line-up in 2006. From left to right: Tobey Torres, Jason Slater, Mitchell Doran and Matt Lucich.

In early 2001, Tobey Torres and Jason Slater relocated to Los Angeles, and Snake River Conspiracy commenced work on a second studio album, tentatively known as SRC2,[22] at Henson Recording Studios.[3] After an extended period of radio silence, Snake River Conspiracy announced in October 2002 that they had parted ways with Reprise Records earlier that year, owing to low sales of Sonic Jihad.[23] In a series of postings on Snake River Conspiracy's forums from December 2002, Slater stated that SRC2 would be a complete departure from Sonic Jihad, and said he did not want to create "Sonic Jihad 2" because "it would sound dated as fuck" if he did so.[24] He described the album thematically as being about "payback and retribution".[24]

However, progress on the album was marred by interpersonal disputes and line-up changes, including the departure of drummer Bobby Hewitt in March 2003[25] and Tobey Torres in February 2004,[26][27] when she was replaced by Martina Axén, formerly the drummer and backup singer of Drain STH.[28] Axén acrimoniously split with Snake River Conspiracy in August 2005, resulting in Tobey Torres re-joining the band in May 2006.[29] On September 4, 2006, Tobey Torres announced via her MySpace page that she had "once again chosen to disassociate myself from Snake River Conspiracy", with guitarist Mitchell Doran announcing his departure via the band's vBulletin forums two days later.[30][31] Following both of their departures, Snake River Conspiracy broke up, with Jason Slater choosing to focus on his production career instead.[32][33][34] Most of SRC’s 2006 line-up (Doran, Ashif Hakik, drummer Matt Lucich and Slater himself) contributed to Queensrÿche's 2006 studio album Operation Mindcrime II, which was produced by Slater.[32]

Resumed progress and Jason Slater's death (2012–2020)[edit]

Jason Slater started working on SRC2 again in 2012 and continued to work on the album throughout the rest of the 2010s. In 2012 Tobey Torres and Mitchell Doran formed a new band called Mojave Phone Booth. In 2017, Slater reconnected with Torres again through Doran. Slater planned to release a new Snake River Conspiracy album sometime in 2014, as well as release a vinyl version of Sonic Jihad with alternate/original mixes and a B-sides compilation titled B-Sides and Bullshit,[22] but due to Slater's health struggles work on these projects slowed. On December 9, 2020, Slater died of liver failure, effectively ending the band.[35][36]

Second reformation (2022–present)[edit]

In July 2022, Torres and Mitchell Doran launched a new Instagram account for Snake River Conspiracy, announcing that new music from the band will be released in 2023.[37]

In November 2022, Mitchell Doran alleged that Jason Slater had stolen several compositions that were written by other Snake River Conspiracy members during the SRC2 recording sessions, and reused them with other bands he produced.[34]

Band members[edit]

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Main article: Snake River Conspiracy discography

Studio albums

References[edit]

  1. ^ Syquia, John (February 8, 2001). "Band Interview: Snake River Conspiracy | The Daily Nexus". The Daily Nexus. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Slater, Jason (March 13, 2012). "The SRC Story Pt. 1". www.jason-slater.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Winwood, Ian (February 10, 2001). "24 Hours: A Day In The Life of... Tobey Torres". Kerrang!. No. 839. EMAP. p. 62.
  4. ^ Blabbermouth (May 11, 2006). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACYS SLATER, Ex-Singer AXEN Trade Barbs Over Reasons For Split". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "🖖🏼 (@snakeriverconspiracy) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  6. ^ Lane, Dan (November 2000). "Check 'Em Out! | Snake River Conspiracy". Metal Hammer. Future plc (80): 17.
  7. ^ Winwood, Ian (November 25, 2000). "Celebrity Skin". Kerrang!. No. 829. UK: EMAP. pp. 26–28.
  8. ^ a b Valentine, Eric (June 4, 2019), MR w EV SRC "lovesong" (YouTube video), retrieved December 4, 2022
  9. ^ "Mojave Phone Booth - Bio". mojavephoneboothmusic.com. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  10. ^ Wells, Steven (September 12, 2005). "Snake River Conspiracy : Vulcan". NME. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  11. ^ CMJ New Music Monthly. August 2000.
  12. ^ "Snake River Conspiracy Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "Snake River Conspiracy Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Anon. (June 30, 2000). "Alternative Action" (PDF). R&R (1357): 114 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  15. ^ Scaggs, Austin (January 18, 2001). "Morrissey an SRC fan". Rolling Stone. No. 860. Rolling Stone Licensing LLC. p. 14. ProQuest 2549067247 – via ProQuest.
  16. ^ Uhelszki, Jaan (April 2001). "LA Confidential". Mojo. Archived from the original on February 24, 2008 – via motorcycleaupairboy.com.
  17. ^ NME (March 21, 2001). "FREE SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY!". NME. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  18. ^ Simpson, Dave (June 22, 2001). "Who the hell are...Snake River Conspiracy". The Guardian. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  19. ^ "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY (overview)". Official Charts. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  20. ^ Billboard website: "Snake River Conspiracy Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023. As print: "Billboard's Top Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. July 29, 2000. p. 21. ISSN 0006-2510.
  21. ^ "Rock N Roll Experience - Snake River Conspiracy Interview!". Rock N Roll Experience. December 2002. Archived from the original on December 17, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Slater, Jason (March 20, 2014). "Jason Slater | Slight change of plans". www.jason-slater.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  23. ^ Blabbermouth (October 14, 2002). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY Split With Label, Shop New Demo". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Blabbermouth (December 18, 2002). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY's SLATER: We Won't Be Compared To GARBAGE Again". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Blabbermouth (June 27, 2003). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY Split With BOBBY HEWITT, Announce Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  26. ^ "SRC - KT PLEASE RESPOND!". forums.kidneythieves.net. May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on May 29, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  27. ^ "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY press release: May 5, 2004". Ibanez JEM Forum. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  28. ^ Blabbermouth (June 4, 2004). "Vocalist TOBEY TORRES Leaves SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  29. ^ Blabbermouth (May 11, 2006). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY Mainman SLATER, Ex-Singer AXEN Trade Barbs Over Reasons For Split". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  30. ^ "TOBEY'S LEAVING SRC AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! | Snake River Conspiracy | vBulletin". snakeriverconspiracy.com (Page 1). Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  31. ^ "TOBEY'S LEAVING SRC AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! | Snake River Conspiracy | vBulletin". snakeriverconspiracy.com (Page 2). Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  32. ^ a b Blabbermouth (July 15, 2012). "Producer, Session Guitarist Claim QueensrŸche Drummer Didn't Play On 'Operation: Mindcrime Ii' - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  33. ^ "Snake River Conspiracy". snakeriverconspiracy.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2006. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Truth". mojavephoneboothmusic.com. November 6, 2022. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Reilly, Nick (December 10, 2020). "Original Third Eye Blind bassist Jason Slater has died at the age of 49". NME. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  36. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive. "Snake River Conspiracy Official". Facebook. Retrieved February 26, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ Yücel, Ilker (August 23, 2022). "Tobey Torres and Mitchell Doran announce new album from Mojave Phone Booth, and new music from Snake River Conspiracy in 2023". ReGen Magazine. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  38. ^ "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY". www.snakeriverconspiracy.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2006. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY". MySpace. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Heavy Metal Resource Interviews-Geoff Tyson". www.heavymetalresource.com. January 20, 2003. Archived from the original on February 3, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  41. ^ Blabbermouth (June 6, 2004). "Former DRAIN STH Drummer Named New Singer Of SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Snake River Conspiracy - Bay Area, CALIFORNIA - Rock / Electronica / Metal". MySpace.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "Ivo Ivanov: Game of Sounds — Quotes Magazine". Quotes Magazine. April 24, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  44. ^ McAloon, Alissa (April 30, 2021). "Obituary: Sly Cooper, Tomba 2 composer Ashif Hakik". Game Developer. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  45. ^ Lawson, Dom (December 9, 2000). "Snake Tour Off". Kerrang!. No. 831. UK: EMAP. p. 4.
  46. ^ Blabbermouth (October 25, 2002). "ORGY Drummer Joins SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  47. ^ Blabbermouth (December 24, 2002). "SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY's SLATER Speaks Out On New Songs, Label Situation". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 5, 2022.

External links[edit]

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