Snakefinger (1949 – 1987) was a musician and songwriter best known for his work with The Residents throughout their early years.

Throughout his youth, Lithman was influenced by Blues, traditional folk, Italian film scores, rock, pop, and avant-grade music.

According to his own accounts, he discovered The Residents after The Mysterious N. Senada, (who he met whilst cycling in Austria) gave Lithman a tape – titled ‘The Warner Bros. Album’. Litham decided he needed to meet the individuals responsible for this tape, and caught the next flight to San Mateo, California. Once there, he met and joined Residents Unincorporated, an early premutation of The Residents, with whom Lithman would perform and record with. All released audio of this is available on the compilation album, ‘Nickle if Your Dick’s This Big.’
After viewing polaroids of their Halloween ‘71 show, his Uninc bandmates noticed the way he held his violin made his hand look like the head of a snake, and began calling him 'Snakefinger’ as a result.

Lithman performed his last show with Residents Uninc in February of 1972, before returning to his native England. It was there where Lithman formed the Pub rock group, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers with friend Martin Stone. The two feverishly co-wrote their first album, Kings Of The Robot Rhythm in a matter of months and released it in December of 1972. The album was the second release by Revelation Enterprises, and the last, as the record label would go bankrupt shortly thereafter.
Over the next few years, Lithman and Stone would tour across England and develop a small but loyal following, and in 1974 released the Snakefinger penned ‘Bongos Over Balham’ album.

Sadly, Bongos Over Balham flopped, and after being dropped by their second label, the group called it quits.

After a brief attempt to court major labels in California as a solo artist, Lithman decided to join the now fully formed Residents as a full-time member- one whose disguise was his lack of a disguise.

From 1976 – 1980, Lithman played on every Residents release, and also released his first two solo albums, Chewing Hides The Sound, and Greener Postures, with the group as co-writers, co-producers, and backing band. By 1981, Lithman was growing tired of this arrangement and formed his own band, The Vestal Virgins, whom he would tour and write his next solo album (Manual of Errors) with.

In 1985, Lithman rejoined The Residents as a touring member, all the while writing the ‘Vestal Vrigins’ official debut, which, despite its credit, was almost entirely written by Lithman solo.

The Vestal Virgins ‘Night of Desirable Objects’ was released in March of 1987, and only weeks into a world tour to promote it, Lithman was found dead in his hotel room, having suffered a heart attack.