Audit in Progress
Encyclopedia
Audit in Progress is the third and final 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
. 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. It was the first Hot Snakes release to feature drummer Mario Rubalcaba
, brought in to fill the position left vacant by original drummer Jason Kourkounis.
In comparison to the band's previous albums, Audit in Progress is more aggressive and primal. It was well-received by critics and fans and was named "best punk album" at the 2005 San Diego Music Awards
. At this time the band was able to tour much more extensively than they had in support of previous albums, travelling the United States
, Europe
and Australia
. An independent music video
was filmed for the song "Braintrust" and a single for the song was planned for release in the UK
market (which also would have included the unreleased song "DNR"), but when "Braintrust" was included on the band's Peel Sessions EP
the following year the proposed single was cancelled.
Audit in Progress would be Hot Snakes' final studio album, as the members decided to disband following a tour of Australia in Spring 2005 (though Thunder Down Under
, a live-in-the-studio album recorded during this tour, would be released posthumously in 2006).
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
, released in 2004 by Swami Records
Swami Records
Swami Records is a San Diego based independent record label specializing in punk rock, indie rock and garage rock that was founded in 2000 by John Reis...
. 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
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
. As a visual artist and illustrator singer/guitarist Rick Froberg
Rick Froberg
Eric "Rick" Froberg is an American musician and artist. He was born in Los Angeles, lived in Encinitas, California, and currently resides in Brooklyn...
provided the album's artwork, while Reis released the album through his Swami Records label. It was the first Hot Snakes release to feature drummer Mario Rubalcaba
Mario Rubalcaba
Mario Rubalcaba is an American drummer from San Diego, notable as a member of numerous rock bands including 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...
, brought in to fill the position left vacant by original drummer Jason Kourkounis.
In comparison to the band's previous albums, Audit in Progress is more aggressive and primal. It was well-received by critics and fans and was named "best punk album" at the 2005 San Diego Music Awards
San Diego Music Awards
The San Diego Music Awards are an awards show held annually in San Diego, California to recognize the best bands and artists in local music. The awards have been held since 1991 and were originally organized by the city's main local music publication, , which eventually became the alternative...
. At this time the band was able to tour much more extensively than they had in support of previous albums, travelling the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. An independent music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was filmed for the song "Braintrust" and a single for the song was planned for release in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
market (which also would have included the unreleased song "DNR"), but when "Braintrust" was included on the band's Peel Sessions EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
the following year the proposed single was cancelled.
Audit in Progress would be Hot Snakes' final studio album, as the members decided to disband following a tour of Australia in Spring 2005 (though Thunder Down Under
Thunder Down Under
Thunder Down Under is the final album by the San Diego, California rock band Hot Snakes, released in 2006 by Swami Records. It was recorded during the band's Spring 2005 tour of Australia...
, a live-in-the-studio album recorded during this tour, would be released posthumously in 2006).
Track listing
All songs written by Hot SnakesHot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
- "Braintrust"
- "Hi-Lites"
- "Retrofit"
- "Kreative Kontrol"
- "Think About Carbs"
- "Audit in Progress"
- "Hatchet Job"
- "This Mystic Decade"
- "Lovebirds"
- "Reflex"
- "Hair and DNA"
- "Plenty for All"
Performers
- Rick FrobergRick FrobergEric "Rick" Froberg is an American musician and artist. He was born in Los Angeles, lived in Encinitas, California, and currently resides in Brooklyn...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, lead vocals - John ReisJohn ReisJohn Reis 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 for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
- guitar, backing vocals - Gar Wood - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Magi 44 organ - Mario RubalcabaMario RubalcabaMario Rubalcaba is an American drummer from San Diego, notable as a member of numerous rock bands including 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...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Album information
- Record label:Swami RecordsSwami RecordsSwami Records is a San Diego based independent record label specializing in punk rock, indie rock and garage rock that was founded in 2000 by John Reis...
- Recorded and mixed 2004 at Big Fish Recorders in San Diego by Ben Moore
- Additional recording at Drag Racist studios by Johathan Kreinik, John Reis and Gar Wood
- Mastered by Dave Gardner at Magneto Mastering
- All songs written by Hot Snakes and published by Hiss N' Piss/BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
- Artwork by Rick Froberg