John Reis

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John Reis
Hot Snakes 2011-11-04 03.JPG
Reis performing with Hot Snakes in 2011
Background information
Also known asSpeedo, the Swami, Slasher
Born (1969-04-23) April 23, 1969 (age 55)
Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, United States
Genres Punk rock, alternative rock, rock and roll, post-hardcore
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, DJ, bar owner
Instrument(s)Guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Years active1986–present
LabelsCargo, Interscope, Swami, Vagrant

John Reis, also known by the pseudonyms Speedo, Slasher, and the Swami is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted (as Speedo) for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005.

Contents

Prior to this he was the guitarist in the post-hardcore band Pitchfork, and also played in Drive Like Jehu during the early 1990s. In 1999 he formed the Hot Snakes, and in 2000 also formed the Sultans, in which (as Slasher) he sang and originally played bass before switching to rhythm guitar. He played in both these bands until their breakups in 2005 and 2007 respectively. He also released a solo recording under the name Back Off Cupids, which was recorded in 1994 but not released until 1999. Over the years he has performed in many other musical acts including Conservative Itch, Stacatto Reads, Custom Floor, and Beehive & the Barracudas.

He is the owner of Swami Records, a label he founded in 1999 (he uses the title the Swami in this capacity). He frequently works with bands in a studio capacity and releases albums by many southern California groups through his label. He also hosts the "Swami Sound System" program (previously on San Diego radio station 94.9 (KBZT), [1] and now available on Slacker Radio [2] ). Reis remains an influential figure in the San Diego underground music community and is currently performing with San Diego bands the Night Marchers and PLOSIVS, with Rob Crow.

Musical career

John Reis (foreground) performing with Drive Like Jehu and organist Dr. Carol Williams in 2014 Drive like jehu organ pavilion show.jpg
John Reis (foreground) performing with Drive Like Jehu and organist Dr. Carol Williams in 2014

Reis became involved in music in 1984, playing in a punk rock band called Conservative Itch at age 15. In 1986 he formed the post-hardcore group Pitchfork with friend Rick Froberg, in which he played until the group's dissolution in 1990. Following this he formed two new bands: Drive Like Jehu included Froberg and was the more experimental, exploring styles such as post-punk, post-hardcore, math rock, and early-1990s emo. Rocket from the Crypt, meanwhile, was envisioned as a more back-to-basics rock band and involved other San Diego-area musicians. Both groups released debut albums in 1991 through local labels Cargo Records and Headhunter Records. Rocket from the Crypt was soon re-invented as a punk-inspired rock & roll band with a horn section, developing a reputation for creative and energetic live shows. The group released many vinyl singles and put out their second album Circa: Now! in 1992. Reis' heavy involvement with Rocket from the Crypt sidelined Drive Like Jehu at this time, but both groups were soon signed to major label Interscope Records as a pair.

In 1994 Rocket from the Crypt took a six-month break while Reis returned to work with Drive Like Jehu, recording the critically acclaimed album Yank Crime . At this time he also recorded an album's worth of solo material under the project name Back Off Cupids, but the majority of this work went unreleased until 1999. In 1995, with little fanfare, Drive Like Jehu disbanded and Reis resumed working with Rocket from the Crypt full time. The group experienced a flurry of creativity that resulted in a trilogy of releases that year, culminating in the acclaimed album Scream, Dracula, Scream! They became well known in the alternative music community, filmed several music videos, toured internationally, and experienced a surge of popularity in the United Kingdom. They released a follow-up entitled RFTC in 1998, but Interscope turned their attention to higher-grossing acts and soon the band left the label. This was followed by the departure of longtime drummer Adam Willard from the group in early 2000, resulting in a hiatus of sorts during which Reis explored other musical endeavors.

In 1999 Reis started the record label Swami Records, primarily as a means of releasing music by a number of San Diego-area bands including several he was involved with. He also formed two new bands: Sessions with drummer Jason Kourkounis resulted in the formation of Hot Snakes (which also reunited Reis with Rick Froberg), while collaborations with drummer Tony Di Prima led to the formation of the Sultans. Both bands essentially explored stripped-down versions of the musical formulas Reis had established in Rocket from the Crypt, with Hot Snakes incorporating some of the more experimental elements of Drive Like Jehu while the Sultans used a more straightforward rock & roll approach. During this time Reis recorded and acted as producer for a number of groups, including Superchunk, Selby Tigers, GoGoGo Airheart, and the Red Onions. He also performed on and off with other bands including Stacatto Reads, Custom Floor, and Beehive and the Barracudas.

Rocket from the Crypt regrouped in 2000, signing to Vagrant Records and bringing in new drummer Mario Rubalcaba. Reis continued to record and perform with Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, and the Sultans for the next several years, dividing his time between all three groups. Between 1999 and 2005 he recorded 2 albums with Rocket from the Crypt, 2 with the Sultans, and 3 with Hot Snakes. In 2003 his younger brother Dean Reis joined him in the Sultans. Rubalcaba also became a member of all three of Reis' bands, replacing Kourkounis in Hot Snakes in 2004 and Di Prima in the Sultans in 2006.

Reis performing with the Sultans in 2007 John Reis live with Sultans 1-10-07.jpg
Reis performing with the Sultans in 2007

2005 marked the end of Reis' multi-band involvement, with the breakups of Hot Snakes in July and Rocket from the Crypt on Halloween. He then focused his attention on Swami Records, putting out numerous releases that Fall and Winter and organizing tours in support of the label. He began hosting the "Swami Sound System" program on San Diego radio station 94.9 (KBZT) and continued to play with the Sultans occasionally until their disbanding in January 2007.

Recent activity

Reis continues to operate Swami Records and acts as a producer and occasional studio musician for various artists and releases on the label, while focusing on his new role as a father. He constructed his own recording studio and opened a bar called The Bar Pink Elephant (later renamed Bar Pink) in San Diego's North Park district. In 2007 he announced a new musical project, and began recording and writing new songs with former Hot Snakes members Gar Wood and Jason Kourkounis and CPC Gangbangs bassist Tommy Kitsos. Reis described the new group as "a combonation [sic] of everything I've been a part of dating back to my prepubescent days in Pitchfork. Similar to Hot Snakes but not as sinister yet still maintaining some of the drama and subsonic boom. Akin to the rockin' fun of RFTC but without the same kind of riffery. Like the Sultans but not as straightforward yet still maintaining the sense of melody and pop of the 2nd record." [3] [4] [5] [6] Dubbed the Night Marchers, the new group began performing and touring in 2008 with Reis again using the stage name "Speedo". Their debut album See You in Magic was released on April 22, 2008.

Reis continues to host the "Swami Sound System" program on San Diego radio station 94.9 on Saturday nights and is preparing several releases of rare and previously unreleased Rocket from the Crypt material. [3] He also plays a recurring role on the television show Yo Gabba Gabba as the Music Swami, introducing each episode's musical guest.

In 2011 Hot Snakes announced they will be reforming for tours the US and Europe. [7]

In 2015, Reis produced American rock band Ceremony's fifth studio album, The L-Shaped Man . [8]

In March 2015, Vintage Piss was released by Sonny Vincent and Rocket from the Crypt. The album was originally recorded with Vincent in 2003 following a tour with Rocket from the Crypt serving as his backing band however the album was left unmixed and unfinished until twelve years later following the reunion of Rocket from the Crypt when Reis decided to go back and complete the album, which he also produced. [9]

On 9/8/21 he made his debut with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes at Express Live! in Columbus, OH performing with CJ Ramone, Andrew "Pinch" Pinching, Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham and Spike Slawson.

Personal life

Reis is married. He and his wife had their first child in 2006. [10]

Influence

Many artists have cited John Reis as an influence or have expressed admiration for his work, including Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World, [11] Kurt Ballou of Converge, [12] Laurent Barnard of Gallows [13] and Steven Andrew Miller of Unbroken. [14] According to Doug McCombs of Tortoise-fame: [15]

John Reis fills a void. It's a cynical world and there aren't many true believers in rock & roll anymore. He's the carnival barker that lures you into rock & roll. He believes in rock & roll wholeheartedly and wants you to believe too. He's a genius at guitar riffs. He's evidence that rock & roll is not played out.

Membership timeline

John Reis

Discography

This section lists albums and EPs on which Reis has performed. For complete listings of releases by each act, see their individual articles.

YearActTitleCredits
1989 Pitchfork Saturn Outhouse guitar
1990 Eucalyptus
1991 Drive Like Jehu Drive Like Jehu guitar, backing vocals
Rocket from the Crypt Paint as a Fragrance guitar, lead vocals
1992 Circa: Now!
1994Drive Like Jehu Yank Crime guitar, backing vocals
1995Rocket from the Crypt The State of Art is on Fire guitar, lead vocals
Hot Charity
Scream, Dracula, Scream!
1998 RFTC
1999 Cut Carefully and Play Loud
2000 Hot Snakes Automatic Midnight guitar, backing vocals
Back Off Cupids Back Off Cupids vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, other instrumentation
Sultans Sultans bass guitar, lead vocals
Ghost Ship
2001Rocket from the Crypt Group Sounds guitar, lead vocals
2002Hot Snakes Suicide Invoice guitar, backing vocals
Rocket from the Crypt Live from Camp X-Ray guitar, lead vocals
2004Sultans Shipwrecked
Hot Snakes Audit in Progress guitar, backing vocals
2005 Peel Sessions
2006 Thunder Down Under
2008Rocket from the Crypt RIP guitar, lead vocals
The Night Marchers See You in Magic
2013The Night MarchersAllez Allezguitar, lead vocals
2015Swami John Reis & the Blind ShakeModern Surf Classicsguitar
Sonny Vincent and Rocket from the CryptVintage Pissguitar, vocals, producer
2018Hot Snakes Jericho Sirens guitar, backing vocals
2022Swami John ReisRide the Wild Nightguitar, vocals, bass, percussion, synth
Plosivs Plosivs guitar, vocals
2024Swami John ReisAll Of This Awaits Youguitar, vocals

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Eric Gerald Farr was an American musician and visual artist. In his musical career he was the singer and guitarist for the San Diego-area bands Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, and Hot Snakes, performing alongside fellow San Diego musician John Reis. Froberg also played with the Last of the Juanitas, Thingy, Obits, and Crash Worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive Like Jehu</span> American post-hardcore band

Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995 and later from 2014 to 2016. It was formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis, ex-members of Pitchfork, along with bassist Mike Kennedy and drummer Mark Trombino, both from Night Soil Man, after their two bands disbanded in 1990. Drive Like Jehu's music was characterized by passionate singing, unusual song structure, indirect melodic themes, intricate guitar playing, and calculated use of tension, resulting in a distinctive sound amongst other post-hardcore acts and helped to catalyze the evolution of hardcore punk into emo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket from the Crypt</span> American punk rock band

Rocket from the Crypt is an American punk rock band from San Diego, California, originally active from 1990 to 2005, then active during 2011 and again from 2013 to the present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Snakes</span> American rock band

Hot Snakes were an American rock band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis found international success with Rocket from the Crypt. Hot Snakes disbanded in 2005, but reunited in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sultans (band)</span> American rock and roll band

The Sultans were an American rock and roll band led by John Reis, formed in 2000 in San Diego, California. Over the course of the band's lifespan they released two full-length albums on Reis' Swami Records label. The band took pride in their "stripped down" rock and roll approach, using a simple guitar/bass/drum structure and recording quickly using pre-used equipment and borrowed instruments in order to maintain a loose, spontaneous feel.

Pitchfork was an American post-hardcore band formed in 1986 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 1990. They are most well known as the first "real" band of guitarist John Reis, who would later gain fame as the frontman in Rocket from the Crypt, and as the first collaboration between Reis and singer Rick Froberg. As an aspiring visual artist and illustrator, Froberg provided most of the band's artwork while Reis developed his studio skills by acting as producer on their records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Rubalcaba</span> American musician

Mario Rubalcaba is an American drummer from San Diego, notable as a member of numerous rock bands including Clikatat Ikatowi, Thingy, Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Earthless, the Sultans, and Off! He has also played on albums by The Black Heart Procession and Pinback and was formerly a professional skateboarder.

<i>Yank Crime</i> 1994 studio album by Drive Like Jehu

Yank Crime is the second and final album by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu, released on April 26, 1994 by Interscope Records. It was the band's major-label debut and its artwork was created by singer/guitarist Rick Froberg. The band toured in support of the album but then quietly disbanded the following year as the members moved off to pursue other interests.

<i>Automatic Midnight</i> 2000 studio album by Hot Snakes

Automatic Midnight is the first studio album by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Hot Snakes, released in 2000 by Swami Records. Both the band and the album began as a "side project" for John Reis in June 1999, during time off from his main band Rocket From the Crypt. Reis wrote and recorded a batch of songs in San Diego with Delta 72 drummer Jason Kourkounis. To provide vocals for the tracks Reis called in Rick Froberg, whom he had played with in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu from 1986 to 1995. Most of the material from these sessions was used to create Automatic Midnight, which became the first release for Reis' newly formed Swami Records label.

<i>Suicide Invoice</i> 2002 studio album by Hot Snakes

Suicide Invoice is the second studio album by the San Diego, California rock band Hot Snakes, released in 2002 by Swami Records. It was recorded in a similar manner to the band's previous album Automatic Midnight, with guitarist John Reis taking time off from his main band Rocket from the Crypt. As a visual artist and illustrator singer/guitarist Rick Froberg provided the album's artwork, while Reis released the album through his Swami Records label.

<i>Audit in Progress</i> 2004 studio album by Hot Snakes

Audit in Progress is the third studio album by the San Diego, California, rock band Hot Snakes, released in 2004 by Swami Records. It was recorded in a similar manner to the band's previous two albums, with guitarist John Reis taking time off from his main band Rocket From the Crypt. In comparison to the band's previous albums, Audit in Progress is more aggressive and primal. Audit in Progress would be Hot Snakes' final studio album until 2018's Jericho Sirens, as the members decided to disband following a tour of Australia in Spring 2005.

<i>Ghost Ship</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Sultans

Ghost Ship is the first album by the San Diego, California, rock and roll band Sultans, released in 2000 by Swami Records. Both the band and the album began as "side projects" for John Reis during time off from his main band, Rocket from the Crypt. This was also the time at which Reis formed Hot Snakes. Reis collaborated with drummer Tony Brown Di Prima, bringing in Rocket From the Crypt guitarist Andy Stamets while Reis himself played the bass guitar. The band chose the name Sultans for the project and recorded an introductory EP and Ghost Ship, both of which were released that year on Reis' newly formed Swami label. As Reis has a tradition of using different stage names or pseudonyms in his various projects, he chose to be known as "Slasher" in the Sultans, while Stamets chose the nickname "Black Flame".

<i>Shipwrecked</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Sultans

Shipwrecked is the second and final album by the San Diego, California rock and roll band Sultans, released in 2004 by Swami Records. When the band reconvened to record the album in November 2003, original guitarist Andy Stamets chose not to rejoin the group. Singer/bassist John Reis took over the guitar position and his brother Dean Reis joined the band on bass, taking the stage name "Black Velvet." And on drums Tony Brown Diprima. As well as backing vocals.

<i>Group Sounds</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Rocket from the Crypt

Group Sounds is an album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 2001 by Vagrant Records. It was the band's first album for the label and their first with new drummer Ruby Mars.

<i>Live from Camp X-Ray</i> 2002 studio album by Rocket from the Crypt

Live from Camp X-Ray is the seventh studio album by American punk rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 2002 by Vagrant Records. It was the band's final studio album, as they broke up on Halloween 2005. Contrary to the album's title, it is not a "live" album but rather a studio recording.

<i>Hot Charity/Cut Carefully and Play Loud</i> 2002 compilation album by Rocket from the Crypt

Hot Charity/Cut Carefully and Play Loud is an album by American punk rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 2002 by Swami Records. It combines two of the band's out-of-print vinyl releases, the 1995 LP Hot Charity and 1999 EP Cut Carefully and Play Loud, into a single release on CD. It includes liner notes by singer/guitarist John Reis detailing the recordings of both releases.

<i>See You in Magic</i> 2008 studio album by The Night Marchers

See You in Magic is the debut album by the San Diego, California rock band The Night Marchers, released in 2008 by Vagrant Records and Swami Records. The Night Marchers are the latest musical project of singer/guitarist John Reis, previously of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, the Hot Snakes, and the Sultans. Reis announced the group's formation in August 2007, after all of his previous acts had broken up by January of that year. The band also includes Beehive and the Barracudas guitarist Gar Wood, CPC Gangbangs bassist Tommy Kitsos, and former Delta 72 drummer Jason Kourkounis. Wood and Kourkounis had previously recorded and performed with Reis in the Hot Snakes. The band members are credited on the album using pseudonyms that they had used in their previous acts: Reis is credited as "Speedo", Wood as "Dner", Kitsos as "Skitsos", and Kourkounis as "Jsinclair".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Night Marchers</span> American rock band

The Night Marchers are an American alternative rock band formed in 2007 in San Diego, California, United States. The band is composed of singer/guitarist John Reis, guitarist Gar Wood, bassist Tommy Kitsos, and drummer Jason Kourkounis. Reis, Wood, and Kourkounis had previously performed together in the Hot Snakes, while Kitsos previously performed with CPC Gangbangs. The Night Marchers' debut album See You in Magic was released in 2008 through Vagrant Records. The Allez Allez track “Fisting The Fan Base” was featured on the NHL 15 soundtrack.

The discography of Rocket from the Crypt, a San Diego-based alternative rock band active from 1990 to 2005, consists of seven studio albums, two EPs, one live album, two DVDs, twenty-eight singles, and eight music videos.

References

  1. ↑ "FM94/9 - It's About the Music - SWAMI". Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ "SWAMI SOUND SYSTEM - LiveXLive - Premium Live Music". Livexlive.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "John Reis starts Speedo with members of Hot Snakes, CPC Gangbangs". Punknews.org. August 17, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  4. ↑ Reis, John (March 12, 2007). "Sw@mi". Swami Records General Forum. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  5. ↑ Reis, John (July 23, 2007). "Sw@mi". Swami Records General Forum. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  6. ↑ Reis, John (July 24, 2007). "Sw@mi". Swami Records General Forum. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Untitled". Hotsnakes.tumblr.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (March 26, 2015). "Ceremony announces new album, shares "The Separation" and "The Understanding" – listen". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Vintage Piss - Sonny Vincent, Rocket from the Crypt | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  10. ↑ Reis, John (December 27, 2006). "I can't believe I'm the first one to post this. Benefit." Swami Records General Forum. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  11. ↑ Stocks, Matt (September 8, 2016). "The 13 best guitarists according to Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins". Loudersound.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  12. ↑ Breihan, Tom (January 7, 2010). "5-10-15-20: Converge's Kurt Ballou". Pitchfork.com . Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ Barnard, Laurent (August 28, 2016). "My Top 5 Punk Guitarists by Gallows' Laurent Barnard". Loudersound.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Unbroken interview with guitarist: Steven Andrew Miller. March. 2010". Vistafanzine.blogspot.com. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  15. ↑ "The Quietus | Features | Baker's Dozen | No Reconciliation Necessary: Doug McCombs' Favourite LPs". The Quietus. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
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