Snail

Roots trace back to the early-1960s and a series of Santa Cruz-based bands including The Vistells, The Cobras, and Talcon Wedge. The original Snail was formed in 1968 as a Cream-styled blues-rock trio featuring the talents of former Gold Coast Five and Talcon Wedge drummer Ron Filmore, former Vistells and Cobras lead guitarist Dave Kibler and ex-Cobras and Talcon Wedge rhythm guitarist Bob O'Neill. In 1969 the band expanded to a quartet with the addition of ex-The Bubble lead guitarist Ken Kraft. They then spent the next decade as local favorites playing clubs like The Valley Barn, Bodegas, Catalyst, Chateau Liberte, and The Wooden Nickel while also serving as a support act for touring national bands such as Clear Light, H.P. Lovecraft, The People, and Stained Glass.