Snakefinger "The Man In The Dark Sedan"

Snakefinger "The Man In The Dark Sedan"

[@w3l2t1]

Philip Charles Lithman (Snakefinger) had a history of heart problems. He died of a heart attack on 7/1/87. He did not die of drugs or alcohol. Sad that people have make up that stuff.

[@LaszloPanaflex]

I saw this on MTV once. Just once. In the middle of the night, trippin' my balls off. Laughed myself sore. Then I couldn't find so much as a reference to these guys anywhere. Had I hallucinated the whole thing? Is this, now, just a flashback?

[@goffeldumkimpotrickson2453]

You fucking rule kick ass

[@grimmertwin2148]

It gets worse mate. There's live footage of him playing violin and it's rumoured his fingers make a perfect hammer and sickle That've not been shown on MTV . However, back in the day tripping did you ever try reading the bible and watching Rage? ( Like MTV but cooler and no ads - Aussie tv ABC) It had the same effect from uncontrolled laughter to sheer terror and paranoia and back again. You got to be careful with a bible. People kill in the name of apparently Bet you they wouldn't if tripping Peace Monkeys

[@dmacnic]

Love it. Snakefinger looks like a demented Harrison Ford

[@petermacey5183]

VERY demented!

[@conradpoos2859]

In the early days of MTV, they would show this in normal rotation. It was this video, SCTV and Brother Theodore's appearances on Letterman that gave me hope in the Reagan 80's

[@mikekrause3671]

this was on MTV?!!!

[@conradpoos2859]

@@mikekrause3671 Yes back in 1981 they had no inventory so they would show this and clips by Yello, The Residents and Lene Lovich. Then they'd segue into Hold On Loosely, Young Turks and Sara. Kinda surreal.

[@marlowepease7583]

probably my favorite bass line out there

[@MobiusBandwidth]

there's a live clip on here somewhere with Michael Steele of the Bangles playing with him, pre-Bangles I guess. she rocks it.

[@rheck86]

Every time I am seriously depressed this song starts playing in my head endlessly. I don't know why, but it's the soundtrack of my own personal hell.

[@mick2spic]

Lol Maybe it’s more Snakefinger from the other world trying to send you feel good vibes to cheer yourself up. My man Ronald, just feel those guitar licks run through ya brother. The man in the dark sedan has the feel good vibes.

[@adams115]

Thats fucked

[@virginiaviola5097]

Ha ha...it’s the opposite for me..it makes me laugh. And I feel tons better..just remember, this world is absurd, don’t take it too seriously..if you get the joke, then however bad things seem, they don’t seem quite so bad, when you figure it out.

[@djwragg3]

Here are the lyrics: I'm the man in the dark sedan and I have come to take your hand I was sent down here to be sincere, truthful and steadfast I came to say that judgement day of man has come to pass You can follow me and I guarantee to take you far away But we must leave before the eve of everlasting gray You will leave this place and soon replace the names of those you know With a brotherhood that has withstood the leeches and the snow

[@donthewatcher8835]

snakefingers guitar sound was so unique..... rest in guitar peace musical brother

[@arnarsigurjonsson2511]

absolutely, the cover of Greener Postures kinda looks like his guitar sound to me in a weird way, just unique

[@mikekrause3671]

R.I.P. yes. he died too young. such a shame. imagine, he possibly could have put out so much more great records!

[@donthewatcher]

@@mikekrause3671 he is on a lot of resident songs on guitar ,i was able to interview him after a los angeles gig years ago

[@openmodalguitar61]

Snakefinger (to my ears) was all about guitar tone, the rest of the arrangements, lyrics, attitude was built upon what tone he was exploring in a song. Exploring is the key word, I was a big Hendrix fan when I discovered Snakefinger through this very song and video and after getting a couple of albums recognised that he had the same drive for sonic exploration on the electric guitar that Hendrix had but not copying Jimi or going over the same ground. The guitar solo on this really cut through to me the first time I heard it, a big but welcome surprise on the Australian show 'Countdown'. Great that he had this single hit big enough to get him some exposure otherwise I and many others wouldn't have heard of him.

[@ShoveKnack]

Ahhh, who would have ever though that horse clops go so well with crunchy, insistent guitar playing

[@matildafaltyn6253]

Reggae was one of the genres popular in early 80s. An underrated song, needs to be remastered.

[@fazbell]

Saw this guy live in Atlanta back in 1982. Great show.

[@anthonychihuahua]

By accident or purpose? No disrespect. I've discovered many a great band by accident!

[@rae2791]

I saw him at Max's Kansas City in the early 80s and was completely in his thrall. Mesmerizing to watch. I was very sad when he died.

[@frankblues]

I am sure the residents are in this clip... the 3 guys plus snakey dancer guy ;)

[@DanielDamilano]

para mi Snakefinger esta entre los mejores guitarristas de la historia...

[@BaddaBigBoom]

RIP Mr Lithman - bloody fantastic music.

[@Thinkbeforeyoureply]

Y' look at music videos now and they're all *flash'n'cash*. There was a real do-it-yourself vibe from alt.music from the 80s. . A real punk ethic without digital enhancements or a thousand clothing changes. And they look like they're all having a bloody great time. Great stuff.

[@alondathomas293]

There were lots of flash 'n cash videos back in the days,too----but low-budget,weird as hell,funny,inventive videos by underground indie artists like this you could see every week on Night Flight or other video shows.

[@timsayers4496]

Just so Bloody Beautiful - you have to love him and see how much he changed the world so early on in music videos - one of my heroes and such an inspiration - the best mindest ever

[@enlightenedDiamond]

I LOVE The Magnetic Fields - but when I tell my wife (Who loves Merritt too) that it's tame in comparison to The Residents it all ends in arguments

[@nd2003grad2006]

Dancing snake guy HAS to be one Homer Flynn.

[@adams115]

Clay Miller homer dont move like that! He does the old man dance 👴

[@cretekastos6903]

Clay Miller - definitely

[@donthewatcher8835]

i love the residents saw them at the los angeles roxy with snakefinger

[@w3l2t1]

A man who died way before his time

[@shoalhaven10]

I saw Snakefinger at Melb University - a great gig back in the early 80s

[@Wilantonjakov]

Incredible. I think my father was there too.

[@virginiaviola5097]

Bought this album way back when...still one of the best!

[@dixgun]

Wish I had a Snakefinger DVD with all Snakefinger everything on it :(

[@narvdogg8671]

Look up "Snakefinger Live at Hurrah", it's probably the closest to whatever you're talking about

[@tedmills]

36 years after hearing this song I discover the music video. Not surprised that Graeme Whifler directed, like he did all the other Ralph Records videos.

[@user-qd6cd1pw1h]

I as well. Great song and vid. Viva Ralph!

[@NondescriptMammal]

What a great song! They should make a music video out of it.

[@AIphaGamer9]

This is a music video

[@wrecelrcricle9866]

@@AIphaGamer9 no it’s not

[@grimmertwin2148]

Didn't they? Out of your pay grade chimp? Peace Monkeys

[@jeffreysommer3292]

This makes me think of Randall Flagg from The Stand, for some reason--kind of a post-apocalypse cult leader. What a damned shame he died so young.

[@coverlines1]

This ist the Kings Bass in this great Song !!! Tnank U, Snakefinger !!!

[@msdbostons8801]

I've been searching for year, wracking my brain to remember this band and song. Thank you!

[@simonelagradable7589]

sublime

[@joshbernardo4360]

Aside from George Harrison and David Gilmour.. He's my one of my favorite guitarists...

[@ChrisCrash.]

love this,, what great progression bass line..art school video at its best..lol..I saw Snakefinger live in Emeryville ca, aquatic park.."day on the dirt" they played this...1st I heard it...mid 80s..i think..

[@fannys941]

Awesome!

[@jordinyc]

THAT's Snakefinger? Huh. Friggin awesome.

[@user-qd6cd1pw1h]

Greatness! Thanks!

[@user-qd6cd1pw1h]

Myself and a hardcore cadre of others tried to make this our graduation theme and song. It came in 2nd to the shamefull "children of the sun" by Billy Thorp. We had practiced the moves and everything.

[@Bram25]

I can tell you: If you play the single on 33 RPM, it sounds like genius raggae!

[@frequencyfluxfandango8504]

+Bram25 = heh heh heh, Interesting. I think I might try that... . . . . .

[@kristoffpenzoil3186]

I'm sorry... "Genius reggae"? Is that like a subgenre?

[@Bram25]

@@kristoffpenzoil3186 Yep. Like christian gangsta rap.

[@kristoffpenzoil3186]

@@Bram25 I'm genuinely suprised I gotta a reply so quickly on a five year old comment. Definitely grateful for it though. But do you mind shooting me so bands that are classified as such? The most specific thing my Google's searches yielded was Bob marley... = /

[@peejay351]

snakefinger is the greatest

[@JustinKrayzzz]

awesome danceable sample at 2:57, gem inside a gem

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Add Snakefinger to the list: Captain Beefheat, Residents, Red Crayola, Pere Ubu, John Cale, ...

[@paralentor]

Fantabulous From Beginning To End !

[@genglemt]

I never knew there was a video for this song... Great stuff! Thanks!

[@giulianabonatti8275]

Mi piaceva tantissimo...Senza video! Sono passati un po' di anni.

[@user-rl8kq9ig8j]

How is this so good... can't stop listening to it?

[@UltraDuskyJewel]

My brother and used to love this video back in the day. Sibling bonding compliments of Snakefinger :-O

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

Perfectly awesome.

[@andrenza]

Very cool, pure genius, I love it

[@ndalt3622]

Mad Max is way different than I remember...

[@mick2spic]

Wow, this is unbelievable good!

[@MarkandMom]

Great song.

[@fashionsucker]

.. I love it !!!

[@Teabonesteak]

That is some slick riffin right there. Snakefinger 4 life!

[@guy_incognito]

This is the way the Wild Boys video should've been made! Snakefinger, you are missed.

[@PierreLindau]

awesome

[@yesfan951]

This bassline is so strange

[@williamkiely9523]

I remember this video from MTV way, way back when it was good. Too funny.

[@111noir2000]

Snakefinger=Genius.

[@THECLARENCES]

Brilliance! xoxo The Clarences

[@glitchesandglitter]

this video rocks.

[@therevepigee]

F'N FANTASTIC

[@362sf]

best video ever

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

Where's the viewers? This is GREAT!

[@mikekrause3671]

i had never know there was a video for this song!. well ..since you tube , im discovering so many videos i never knew were made. Not surprising i guess though because MTV only carried the most popular stuff ,not real weird/ underground stuff.

[@miltonfriedmuck777]

Yea!

[@vilenecro]

EYE like it!

[@giulianabonatti8275]

un bel ricordo

[@mradamcooley]

THE BEST

[@ETxArtist]

Goddam, I like this!

[@elineheights2006]

I saw this at a performance in Amstelveen / snakefinger

[@ronaldvanderkleij1048]

echt?

[@albojan]

genius

[@JackOpulski]

Du pur génie ou le génie n'existe pas.

[@goldenhog]

RIP Snakey

[@RATSrockhard]

Rats approve of every song by Philip. Many of our songs are dedicated to his memory.

[@drewmura]

This blew my mind, because I actually AM the man!

[@somesecret]

O WOW

[@kovlabs]

Primus need to cover this song

[@goffeldumkimpotrickson2453]

00:07 train over Sydney harbour bridge to the north

[@ian4goats]

Definately a spin off fron the residents!

[@chesterfieldsnapdrag]

The residents discovered him. they're actually the ones that coined the name "Snakefinger" for him. They saw a picture of him and described his finger as "a snake about to attack the violin". He recorded and toured with The Residents a lot. Did their 13th anniversary tour with them.

[@BlooDCoNcReTe]

He could move

[@MrPlanx]

@z260zgmb - I believe the guy in the wet suit with the snakes is one of the Residents.

[@tooties545]

1:43 6025

[@frequencyfluxfandango8504]

So THIS is where Mr Jackson got the idea for Thriller ?!!

[@user-zt2wc3uh1l]

Is Michael Steele(Bangles) playing bass on this?

[@user-mr9em9pg3u]

sounds like @porque te pas@ isnt it?

[@tedmills]

I'm giving you a thumbs up for even connecting these two songs but yes

[@SideGigGuy]

What was the video that played after "Mr. Sandman" It is driving me nuts... it was like some remix.. KBDI VT 12 Broomfield.. Hey, I miss home movies!!!! And you guys invented music videos... who else would sign of with " Betty David Eyes"??

[@brendabowers1729]

Jeff T terrines, baby! do miss very much

[@brendabowers1729]

TeleTunes

[@odinvonzero]

Do you get the feeling that a few of the extras may be unmasked Residents?... 🤔 This video deserves a proper restoration!

[@sharonbodea7677]

No they don't

[@KingfisherLtd]

Maybe it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but I believe that these three guys on the front seat are The Residents exposed.

[@C_hoffmanni]

Well he was signed onto Ralph Records and after watching enough music videos from the Residents, Tuxedomoon, Snakefinger and Renaldo and the Loaf you start to see the same people in the videos.

[@ClueSign]

Those kids in the front seat played in his stage band, but nice try!

[@Wilantonjakov]

@@C_hoffmanni ah, Tuxedomoon.

[@danielbeller972]

לא.

[@prokesuk]

If you really want to see a couple of Residents exposed in a car check out the Ant Farm Media Burn video. H & H play Secret Service agents guarding a "president." They are wearing sunglasses, though.

[@matiaschavez2322]

Descanse en paz dedos de serpiente

[@panfilonatera3850]

vaya que sí, dedoserpiente es infravalorado algún dia sera recordado?

[@brainphreak]

it doesnt get much better than this for songwriting in my opinion... fans of the snakefinger should also check out "Sleepytime Gorilla Museum" who are currently amazing.

[@centralscrutinizer66]

Was this shot in England?

[@prokesuk]

If I remember correctly it was shot in a park in or around San Francisco.

[@KokoRicky]

@LaszloPanaflex, are you shitting me? MTV was cool enough to actually play a Snakefinger video? Then again, I've heard of a Residents video or two making it on MTV at one time. I find it funny that Captain Beefheart's "Ice Cream For Crow" was deemed too weird for MTV.

[@MrFuckinSunshine]

Snake Trap at :50.

[@deoarby]

"They" is a "He" by the way. RIP Mr. Lithman...

[@Meowth666]

@uppitynigga Just listen to the guitar then. Good enough.

[@vilenecro]

Didn't he do the vocals for Constantinople?

[@cretekastos6903]

No

[@KYoss68]

This was the first music video on Mtv

[@rommix0]

No it wasn't. Video killed the radio star was.

[@uppitynigga]

I could not hear pretty much anything he said. Take your hair? Head?

[@sharonbodea7677]

Hand

[@ShaneMcGraw]

Hm. I'm glad that these guys, whoever the hell they are, recorded this song...so that Information Society could come along in 35 years and do it even better.

[@mick2spic]

Haha, No. Snakefinger's laughs at those guys from heaven. A funny version though it is

[@Teabonesteak]

somebody thumb up this comment. I just accidently hit the thumbs down!

[@gforce4all]

Horrible song!!

[@flyinspirals]

+gforce4all I know, isn't it great?