Snot is officially deep into the recording process for their long-awaited sophomore studio album. Working alongside engineer and producer Chris Collier, the upcoming project will be the band’s first release to feature new lead vocalist Andy Knapp, who successfully made his live debut with the group in Anaheim, California, early last year.
During a recent interview with “SWOMP“, guitarist Mikey Doling and bassist John “Tumor” Fahnestock provided an exciting update on the recording sessions and the creative chemistry driving the band forward.
“We are working a brand new album right now. It’s our first album since [1997’s] Get Some. It’s literally gonna be 30 years later, and we’re really pumped on it. We’re working with Chris Collier. [He’s] a great producer. He’s done a couple of Korn records, some Prong and a lot of bands we love,” Mikey Doling shared (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
He went on to reveal just how far along the highly anticipated release actually is.
“We’re eight songs into the album right now, so we’re real close to completing it. And it’s gonna come out, and we’re f**king stoked on it,” he added.
According to John “Tumor” Fahnestock, the prospect of writing and releasing new Snot material seemed impossible for years until Andy Knapp entered the picture.
“I never thought it could be done until we met Andy, to be honest. We’ve tried for the last several decades to put something together. But it feels so real now. And with the new music being written and hearing what Andy‘s bringing to the table, we’re definitely confident we’re gonna come out swinging,” the bassist explained.
When asked when they decided to begin working on new music, or if that had been the plan all along, Mikey Doling admitted that the idea evolved naturally over time.
“No, it wasn’t always the plan. We started touring and we realized how great he is. So we tried a couple of songs and it went so well, we just kept writing,” the guitarist noted.
“Mikey and I had been tracking music for eight years. And then we just had it in our back pocket. And we always knew if somebody could bring something to what we’ve written… Otherwise we’re, like, ‘Well, I guess we’ve got a bunch of instrumentals until we find somebody,'” Fahnestock expanded.
“We knew once we did the first song with Andy, we could do a record. So we’ve been chipping away at it,” Mikey chimed in.
The recent interview echoes similar sentiments the guitarist shared on social media last month. At the time, he informed fans that the writing sessions were “going exceptionally well or I should say f**king killer”.
“Restarting the musical Snot engine isn’t as challenging as expected. The creativity is flowing effortlessly, like back in 1995! It’s stankalicious funk, punk, and high-energy rock ‘n’ roll with sprinkles of what we used to call lounge jams. Andy Knapp‘s impact and talent, on this album has been hi level, he’s crushing it!” he wrote, taking a moment to honor the band’s history.
He added: “Stepping into the great [late Snot singer] Lynn Strait‘s role is virtually impossible, but Andy‘s done it head first, professionally and with class and my god he’s owning it big time.”
Snot originally disbanded in 1998 following the tragic death of their founding frontman. Lynn Strait was killed instantly in December of that year when his vehicle was broadsided by a pickup truck while attempting to cross Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The crash also claimed the life of his beloved bulldog and band mascot, Dobbs, who famously appeared on the cover of their 1997 Geffen Records debut, Get Some.
At the time of the accident, the group had already written 10 tracks for their sophomore effort. To honor his memory, those instrumentals were eventually completed with guest vocals from major figures across the alternative metal scene, resulting in the massive 2000 tribute album Strait Up. The collaborative record featured appearances from members of Korn, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Sevendust, System Of A Down, Coal Chamber, Soulfly, (hed) p.e., and Sugar Ray.
Over the ensuing decades, the band made sporadic attempts to return to the stage. They briefly reunited between 2008 and 2009 with former Divine Heresy and Bad Wolves vocalist Tommy “Vext” Cummings, though he and guitarist Sonny Mayo eventually departed due to strained relationships. In 2014, the group recruited Carl Bensley, known for his work in Vitiate and Consume The Fire, for another run of live shows, before ultimately finding their current frontman.
