The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star” couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for the Silver Snails’ intergenerational coed makeup.
“Given the male lead vocals and female backing vocals, we felt it would be a good vehicle,” says Lucas Ward, father and co-leader of the self-described “glam-rock space-pop family band.” “Our version is similar to the original, except for a synthesizer dream sequence we added before the final chorus.”
With ties to Portland, Ore., and Romagna, Italy, the Silver Snails are anchored by Ward and his wife, Elisa Fantini, and include the couple’s three kids, Jasmine, Celeste and Elias. “Video Killed The Radio Star” is the lone cover on their upcoming 10-track LP, Speed Of Life (Snailform). Co-produced by Badman label head Dylan Magierek, it’s out September 5. Also worth a listen is the group’s cover of Elliott Smith’s “Pretty (Ugly Before),” released this past May as an homage to Smith, who was Ward’s close friend in high school and college.
The video for the Buggles’ MTV standard is the Silver Snails’ most ambitious so far. “We built a full spaceship in our living room and borrowed the talents of friends, neighbors and family as extras,” says Ward. “We satirized and riffed on popular sci-fi classics, including Star Wars and Star Trek. It’s intended as a sort of sequel to our ‘Dancing With The Stars’ video, which originally introduced the Silver Snails as a family of glam troubadors from space.”
We’re proud to premiere the Silver Snails’ “Video Killed The Radio Star” video.
—Hobart Rowland
