Clem Snide

Clem Snide is an alt-country and indie rock group from New York, United States, with connections to Nashville, Tennessee. The project centres on songwriter, singer and guitarist Eef Barzelay, with a changing line-up of musicians. The group’s membership includes bassist and cellist Jason Glasser, who plays a major role in its early and mid-period, and later members such as multi-instrumentalist Pete Fitzpatrick and his cousin Brendan Fitzpatrick.

Origins and name

The name Clem Snide comes from a character that appears in several novels by William S. Burroughs, including Naked Lunch, The Ticket That Exploded and Exterminator!. The band forms in 1991 as an outlet for Barzelay’s songwriting. After releasing a couple of 7-inch singles, it splits in 1994.

Early releases and major-label period

Several years later, Barzelay reunites with Glasser and begins writing and performing again under the name Fruit Key. After adding a bassist and drummer, the group returns to the Clem Snide name, records new material and continues performing. Its first album, You Were a Diamond, appears in 1998 on Tractor Beam Records and is produced by Adam Lasus. That record attracts major-label attention, leading to a second album, Your Favorite Music, on Sire Records, although the band is dropped before the album is released.

Later albums and recognition

In 2001, Clem Snide releases The Ghost of Fashion. The album draws added attention because the song “Moment in the Sun” is used as the theme for the second season of the NBC programme Ed after that show loses the rights to the Foo Fighters’ “Next Year”. The song continues as the theme outside the United States, while the U.S. broadcast later returns to the Foo Fighters for the third season. Around this period, bassist Jeff Marshall leaves because of the touring schedule, though he remains involved long enough to help record the next album, Soft Spot. The group’s fifth album, End of Love, follows in 2005.

Related solo work and later activity

Barzelay also releases solo records during this period, including Bitter Honey on spinART Records in 2006 and Lose Big on 429 Records in 2008. Clem Snide later reforms and plans a full-length release, Hungry Bird, alongside an EP titled I Need You Now.