Snot (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Santa Barbara , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Snot is a nu metal group originating from Santa Barbara, California, established in 1995. Their sole studio album, Get Some, featuring original frontman Lynn Strait, was released in 1997. The band dissolved following Strait's passing in 1998. A decade later, in 2008, guitarist Mikey Doling, bassist John Fahnestock, drummer Jamie Miller, and rhythm guitarist Sonny Mayo reunited. The following year saw the formation of a new project, Tons, with Brandon Espinosa as the lead vocalist. Snot reassembled again in 2014, took a hiatus in 2015, and returned once more in 2024 with Andy Knapp stepping in as the singer.
Formation, Get Some, and Lynn Strait’s passing (1995–1998)
Snot was created by vocalist Lynn Strait, previously the bassist for the local punk band Lethal Dose, alongside lead guitarist Mikey Doling from Kronix. After building a fanbase in Los Angeles, they secured a contract with Geffen Records and released their debut album Get Some on May 13, 1997, under the production of Todd Ray.
The band participated in the 1998 Ozzfest tour lineup. On July 9, 1998, Strait was taken into custody in Mansfield, Massachusetts due to an incident involving indecent exposure with a stage prop from Limp Bizkit. While beginning work on their sophomore album, Snot ceased activity after Strait tragically died in a car crash on December 11, 1998. Doling remarked, "We can’t continue without Lynn. It’s nonsense when bands pretend otherwise."
Post-accident period (1999–2007)
Since Strait had not laid down vocals for their second album before his death, friends and fellow musicians contributed vocals to create a tribute album titled Strait Up, which was released on November 7, 2000. This record included guest vocalists from bands such as System of a Down, Korn, Hed PE, Soulfly, Incubus, Sevendust, Limp Bizkit, Coal Chamber, Slipknot, and Sugar Ray. In 2021, Doling disclosed that the tracks on Strait Up were newly composed specifically to suit each guest singer’s style rather than being unfinished songs from Snot’s abandoned second album. The album reached number 56 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Following this, a live album titled Alive! was released on July 30, 2002, achieving number 12 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. On April 5, 2007, Snot briefly reunited for a live performance in Anaheim, California, featuring Invitro's Jeff Weber as vocalist.
Initial reunion, Tons formation and subsequent split (2008–2011)
In 2008, Snot reassembled with Tommy Vext—formerly of Divine Heresy—taking over vocal duties. After Vext and Sonny Mayo exited the group, the remaining members established a new band named "Tons" in 2009. They brought in Brandon Espinoza from Spineshank as the frontman. Tons recorded three tracks: "Ability & Control," "1000 Ways of Pain," and "Fan the Flames," before members pursued other endeavors.
Second reunion phase (2014–present)
On February 11, 2014, Snot reunited at West Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go with a lineup including Vext, Mayo, Doling, Fahnestock, and Miller. They played several shows across Southern California before going silent for a period while suggesting plans for an upcoming U.S. tour. By August that year, a U.S. tour was scheduled for November through December with an international leg planned for early 2015. In October 2014, Tommy Vext departed to form Westfield Massacre; Carl Bensley succeeded him as vocalist. For European performances, Mike Smith filled in for Sonny Mayo due to Mayo’s business obligations.
On September 29, 2024, after nearly ten years of inactivity, Doling hinted at Snot’s return. The official announcement came in November confirming Mayo’s comeback along with a new vocalist—neither Vext nor Bensley. Andy Knapp was introduced as the lead singer and made his debut on January 17, 2025.
Before embarking on a U.S. tour on April 25, 2025, Mayo left again to prioritize family commitments; Doc Coyle of God Forbid and formerly Bad Wolves stepped in for live shows. On May 15 at Welcome to Rockville festival, former Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin substituted for Miller who was touring with Bad Religion in Spain. In July of that year, Snot entered the studio with producer Chris Collier to record fresh material—their first new recordings in over twenty years.
Musical style
Snot's sound has been identified with genres such as nu metal, hardcore punk, funk metal, and alternative metal, showcasing a varied blend that contributed to their unique market position and set them apart in the music scene from the late 1990s onward.
Members
Current lineup
- Mikey Doling – lead guitar (1995–1998, 2008–2011, 2014–2015, 2024–present)
- John "Tumor" Fahnestock – bass (1995–1998, 2008–2011, 2014–2015, 2024–present)
- Jamie Miller – drums (1996–1998, 2008–2011, 2014–2015, 2024–present)
- Andy Knapp – vocals (2024–present)
Touring members
- Doc Coyle – rhythm guitar (2025–present)
- Shannon Larkin – drums (touring substitute 1998, 2025)
Former members
- Lynn Strait – vocals (1995–1998; died 1998)
- Ruben Gonzalez – bass (1995)
- Brent – drums (1995)
- Sonny Mayo – rhythm guitar (1995–1998, 2008–2009, 2014–2015, 2024–2025)
- James "Fed" Carrol – drums (1995–1996)
- Mike Smith – rhythm guitar (1998, 2015)
- Tommy Vext – vocals (2008–2009, 2014)
- Carl Bensley – vocals (2014–2015)
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Studio Albums
Live Albums
- Alive! (2002)
Demo Recordings
- Snot (1995)