The Snake Brothers: Bios

the boys

Ziggy Snake aka John Langston - Guitar, banjo, resophonic guitar

Ziggy Snake hasn’t grown up yet, but spent his younger years in a family where his Mother sang gospel tunes, his Father played keyboard and stringed instruments a plenty and all of his brothers were made to learn to play the piano (not Ziggy). This lack of early musical education is largely believed to be the reason behind his hard-headed attachment to notes that "can’t be sung" in his vocal arrangements. When not exposing hisself he was being exposed to a wide variety of musical styles including Classic Country, Bluegrass, Western/Cowboy, Doo-wop, Gospel, Rock and Roll, Classical and a long period of just generally being Folked up. Lacking the ability to tear off lightning fast licks on any instrument, he elected to learn to play a small handful of instruments half-fast instead. Currently his work on the guitar, five string banjo and resonophonic guitar remain both unparalleled and undesired in many parts of the world. After hearing his instrumental stylings many listeners are often heard to say "maybe singing is his thing" and they are right! The unique quality of his voice is usually referred to as loud and frequent and his love of harmony allows for several other voices to attempt to drown him out. It wasn’t until he met his true family, the Snake Brothers, that he began to become the consummate performer that he has grown into today. The chance to sing and play Bluegrass, Cowboy, Gospel, Doo-wop, Rock and Folk music with this Brothers band has remained fun and inspirational at least two out of every ten times they are together and hopefully will continue to be long into next month. The one perk that can’t be denied is that the Snake Brothers band has made it possible for Ziggy to work with a wide variety of talented performers such as Arlo Guthrie, The Band, Livingston Taylor, Richard Thompson, Jim Albertson, Tom Rush and many others. The fact that these hardened professionals didn’t run from the shows is a tribute to the intestinal fortitude of these performers.

Iggy Snake aka Eric Waltman - Acoustic and electric basses

Born in the Carpathian Alps in a region once known as Tinsilvania, now Uporkastan, to the vacationing couple Unitus and Corin Snake, Iggy remains the oldest of the Snake brothers. He often recounts wild tales of his rugged life as a street performer, singing, dancing and playing his homemade bass fiddle for Droobles tossed by the sympathetic passers-by. While still a child he returned to America with his parents and began attending many schools and colleges where he was said to have become quite a smarty pants. His love of music took him to many far off and exotic bar rooms where he refined his craft and became a highly sought after performer and bassist of men. Returning to his family he shouldered the mantel of elder statesman and historian with the Snake Brothers. He continues to this day to lead them in their quest to dominate the entertainment industry.

Plumb R Snake aka Rob Ward - Mandolin, fiddle, rhythm guitar

Growing up, there was always music in the house, mostly classical from WFLN in Philadelphia. My dad and mom played recorders in a baroque ensemble, my sister played piano and cello, and I was given violin lessons. At some point I discovered the mandolin and banjo-mandolin that were stashed behind the big speaker cabinet in the living room. My dad had played the banjo-mandolin in the Merchantville High School Orchestra! The big folk boom of the sixties was in progress and you could actually see people playing mandolins, banjos and guitars on TV. I liked the mandolin because I could sing and play at the same time. I got my first guitar at sixteen and realized that if I could play three instruments I never had to get really good on any of them. I started playing folk music because it was the most accessible and was soon learning songs by Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Pete Seeger, and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as attempting some of the pop songs of the day, mainly the Beatles. In high school I started playing music with John, a partnership that has lasted through many bands right up to the Snake Brothers. Since those high school days I've gotten married, had kids and grandkids, played music full-time and part-time, learned a lot of songs and had a lot of fun. When I go out to play I always hope that the joy the music still gives me carries over to the audience.

Real S Snake aka Mark Ternosky - Harmonica, rhythm guitar

On the advice of his attorneys, Real S Snake has no comment at this time.

Cy Dwinder aka Ernie Trionfo - Lead guitar

Not much is known about the Snake’s cousin, Cy Dwynder. He was born in the Pinelands of South Jersey and started playing guitar at the age of 11. To the disappointment and shame of his parents, he chose to pursue a career in music rather than entering the family business of gun running, bootlegging and bank robbery. His attraction to various styles and genres of music led him to the dubious occupation of “side man”. For years he toured the country with all sorts of musical acts and even spent some time playing in a rodeo band. Currently, he is back in South Jersey and can be seen playing with different acts all over the Delaware Valley whether he’s been invited to or not. It’s precisely this type of perseverance that prompted Ziggy Snake to say, “We never really asked him to join the band. He just showed up one day and started playing. Since then, we haven’t been able to make him leave. We’re not giving up hope, though. Eventually we’ll figure it out.” Cy is a Virgo who enjoys long walks in the moonlight, good domestic wines, Russian literature, rollerblading, cow tipping and trail mix.