The Snakegrinder supporters were in a very real sense a group of people that formed the Newark, Delaware "alternative" community. Looking back now it is a fair estimation to say that we were products of the late 60's and 70's generation. We were anti-war, anti-establishment as well as believers in personal freedom and social justice. A lot that was going on nationally had its influence on us as well. The changes that were happening musically around the country were also reflected in Snakegrinder music. Snakegrinder could do the blues, rock, and incredible jazz-like improvisations that reminded people of the Grateful Dead. Snakegrinder could take a song like Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" and turn it into an anthem of "Rock/Soul" music!  Not even the Dead's rendition of 'Not Fade Away is as good as our own Newark, Delaware version!

      During the early 70's musicians like Johnny Cash and B.B. King brought their music to Folsom Prison and Cook County Jail. Snakegrinder also got an invitation to play at the Delaware State Prison. In keeping with that tradition of bringing our music to the people, we graciously accepted the invitation!  I was real proud of the fact that the whole band wanted to do it!  It was a great concert!  The mostly black prisoners absolutely loved it. They went crazy when we did the Allman Brothers song, "Whipping Post". At that time Delaware was the only state in the nation that still had the whipping post on its books as a punishment for crime! 

 

 

 - George Wolkind - 10/09/2007