John Reis
Encyclopedia
John 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 (as Speedo) for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005. 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 on San Diego
radio station 94.9 (KBZT
) once a week on Saturday night . Reis remains an influential figure in the San Diego underground music community and is currently performing with a new band named The Night Marchers
.
area of San Diego, California
to Portuguese American
heritage.
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 video
s, 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.
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.
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." 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. 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 .
s on which Reis has performed. For complete listings of releases by each act, see their individual articles.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, singer, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
owner, and disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock 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...
, which he formed and fronted (as Speedo) for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005. Prior to this he was the guitarist in the post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band Pitchfork
Pitchfork (band)
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...
, and also played in Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
during the early 1990s. In 1999 he formed the 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...
, and in 2000 also formed the Sultans, in which (as Slasher) he sang and originally played bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
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
Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids was the name of a solo musical project by the San Diego, California musician John Reis. The project took place in 1994, in between sessions with Reis' bands Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt horn players Jason Crane and Paul O'Beirne were also involved...
, 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
Custom Floor
Custom Floor is an underground indie rock band that was formed in 1991 in San Diego, California by Garry Davis, Phil Esbenshade. and Miki Vuckovich. Although Garry and Phil were former pro skateboarders, Custom Floor was never a skate rock band, instead displaying a heavy Sonic Youth influence...
, and Beehive & the Barracudas. He is the owner of 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...
, 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
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
groups through his label. He also hosts the "Swami Sound System" program on San Diego
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...
radio station 94.9 (KBZT
KBZT
KBZT is a commercial modern rock music radio station in San Diego, California, broadcasting on 94.9 FM.-History:During the 1970s and '80s, KBZT was known as "KBest95" but in the 1980s morphed from oldies into soft rock, before being sold to Sandusky Radio and becoming "Y95" in 1987...
) once a week on Saturday night . Reis remains an influential figure in the San Diego underground music community and is currently performing with a new band named The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers are an alternative rock band formed in 2007 in San Diego, California. 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...
.
Early life
Reis was born in 1969 in the Ocean BeachOcean Beach, San Diego, California
Ocean Beach is a beachfront neighborhood of San Diego, California.-Geography:Ocean Beach is located in San Diego on the Southern California coast. It lies on the Pacific Ocean at the estuary of the San Diego River, at the western terminus of Interstate 8. It is approximately from Downtown San...
area of San Diego, California
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...
to Portuguese American
Portuguese American
Portuguese Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the southwest European nation of Portugal, including the offshore island groups of the Azores and Madeira....
heritage.
Musical career
Reis became involved in music in 1984, playing in a punk rockPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band called Conservative Itch at age 15. In 1986 he formed the post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
group Pitchfork
Pitchfork (band)
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...
with friend 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...
, in which he played until the group's dissolution in 1990. Following this he formed two new bands: Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
included Froberg and was the more experimental, exploring styles such as post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
, post-hardcore, math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
, and early-1990s emo
Emo (music)
Emo is a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace...
. 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...
, 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
Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
. Rocket from the Crypt was soon re-invented as a punk-inspired rock & roll band with a horn section
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
, developing a reputation for creative and energetic live shows. The group released many vinyl singles and put out their second album Circa: Now!
Circa: Now!
Circa: Now! is the second album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1992 by Cargo Music and Headhunter Records. It was the band's first album to include drummer Atom and saxophone player Apollo 9...
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
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
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
Yank Crime
Yank Crime is the second and final album by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu, released in 1994 by Interscope Records. It was the band's major-label debut and its artwork was created by singer/guitarist Rick Froberg...
. At this time he also recorded an album's worth of solo material under the project name Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids was the name of a solo musical project by the San Diego, California musician John Reis. The project took place in 1994, in between sessions with Reis' bands Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt horn players Jason Crane and Paul O'Beirne were also involved...
, 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!
Scream, Dracula, Scream!
Scream, Dracula, Scream! is an album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1995 by Interscope Records. It was the band's first major-label release. Music videos were filmed for the singles "On a Rope," "Born in '69" and "Young Livers," and the band embarked on...
They became well-known in the alternative music community, filmed several 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...
s, toured internationally, and experienced a surge of popularity in the United Kingdom
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...
. They released a follow-up entitled RFTC
RFTC
RFTC is an album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1998 by Interscope Records. It was the band's second major-label release...
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
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
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...
, 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
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Jason Kourkounis resulted in the formation of 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...
(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
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
, Selby Tigers
Selby Tigers
Selby Tigers is a signed Hopeless Records band. Formed in 1998, the name Selby Tigers came from a street in St. Paul and a radio broadcast about a Sri Lankan army called the Tamil Tigers.- History :The band name that the St...
, GoGoGo Airheart
GoGoGo Airheart
GoGoGo Airheart was a post-punk band from San Diego, California, that was active from 1996 to 2006.-Career:The band started out by local independent label, Vinyl Communications, and released their self-titled debut in 1997. By that time drummer Andy Robillard and violinist Teri Hoefer joined the...
, and the Red Onions. He also performed on and off with other bands including Stacatto Reads, Custom Floor
Custom Floor
Custom Floor is an underground indie rock band that was formed in 1991 in San Diego, California by Garry Davis, Phil Esbenshade. and Miki Vuckovich. Although Garry and Phil were former pro skateboarders, Custom Floor was never a skate rock band, instead displaying a heavy Sonic Youth influence...
, and Beehive and the Barracudas.
Rocket from the Crypt regrouped in 2000, signing to Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
and bringing in new 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...
. 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.
2005 marked the end of Reis' multi-band involvement, with the breakups of Hot Snakes in July and Rocket from the Crypt on Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. 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
KBZT
KBZT is a commercial modern rock music radio station in San Diego, California, broadcasting on 94.9 FM.-History:During the 1970s and '80s, KBZT was known as "KBest95" but in the 1980s morphed from oldies into soft rock, before being sold to Sandusky Radio and becoming "Y95" in 1987...
) 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 ParkNorth Park, San Diego, California
North Park is a neighborhood in San Diego, California, USA. It is situated to the northeast of Balboa Park, bounded on the north by the canyons overlooking Mission Valley, on the south by Switzer Canyon and the South Park neighborhood, on the east by Interstate 805 and City Heights, and on the...
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
CPC Gangbangs
CPC Gangbangs were a Montreal, Quebec-based garage punk band, with members of Les Sexareenos , The Spaceshits , Lyle Sheraton and the Daylight Lovers , Grime, and Milky Ways. The group's debut LP “Mutilation Nation” was released in 2007 on Swami Records...
bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
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." Dubbed The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers are an alternative rock band formed in 2007 in San Diego, California. 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...
, the new group began performing and touring in 2008 with Reis again using the stage name "Speedo". Their debut album See You in Magic
See You in Magic
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...
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. 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 .
Discography
This section lists albums and EPExtended 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...
s on which Reis has performed. For complete listings of releases by each act, see their individual articles.
| Year | Act | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Pitchfork Pitchfork (band) 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... |
Saturn Outhouse Saturn Outhouse Saturn Outhouse is an EP by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Pitchfork, released in 1989 by Nemesis Records. It is the band's only EP and is currently out of print... |
guitar Guitar The 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... |
| 1990 | Eucalyptus Eucalyptus (album) Eucalyptus is a post-hardcore album by the San Diego, California band Pitchfork, released in 1990 by Nemesis Records and re-released in 2003 by Swami Records. It is the band's only full-length album... |
||
| 1991 | Drive Like Jehu Drive Like Jehu Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and... |
Drive Like Jehu Drive Like Jehu (album) Drive Like Jehu is the eponymously-titled debut album by the San Diego post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu, released in 1991 by Cargo Music and Headhunter Records.... |
guitar, backing vocals Singing Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... |
| 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... |
Paint as a Fragrance Paint as a Fragrance Paint as a Fragrance is the first album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1991 by Cargo Records and Headhunter Records. It is the band's only recording featuring their original lineup, which included drummer Sean and backing vocalist Elaina... |
guitar, lead vocals | |
| 1992 | Circa: Now! Circa: Now! Circa: Now! is the second album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1992 by Cargo Music and Headhunter Records. It was the band's first album to include drummer Atom and saxophone player Apollo 9... |
||
| 1994 | Drive Like Jehu | Yank Crime Yank Crime Yank Crime is the second and final album by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu, released in 1994 by Interscope Records. It was the band's major-label debut and its artwork was created by singer/guitarist Rick Froberg... |
guitar, backing vocals |
| 1995 | Rocket from the Crypt | The State of Art is on Fire The State of Art is on Fire The State of Art is on Fire is an EP by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1995 by Sympathy for the Record Industry. It was the band's first release to include trumpet player JC 2000.... |
guitar, lead vocals |
| Hot Charity Hot Charity Hot Charity is an LP by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1995 on the fictitious record label Perfect Sound Records... |
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| Scream, Dracula, Scream! Scream, Dracula, Scream! Scream, Dracula, Scream! is an album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1995 by Interscope Records. It was the band's first major-label release. Music videos were filmed for the singles "On a Rope," "Born in '69" and "Young Livers," and the band embarked on... |
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| 1998 | RFTC RFTC RFTC is an album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1998 by Interscope Records. It was the band's second major-label release... |
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| 1999 | Cut Carefully and Play Loud Cut Carefully and Play Loud Cut Carefully and Play Loud is an EP by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1999 by Flapping Jet Records. It was the band's last recording with drummer Atom, who left the group shortly thereafter due to disagreements over the professional direction of the band.The... |
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| 2000 | 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... |
Automatic Midnight Automatic Midnight Automatic Midnight is the first album by the San Diego, California rock 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... |
guitar, backing vocals |
| Back Off Cupids Back Off Cupids Back Off Cupids was the name of a solo musical project by the San Diego, California musician John Reis. The project took place in 1994, in between sessions with Reis' bands Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt horn players Jason Crane and Paul O'Beirne were also involved... |
Back Off Cupids Back Off Cupids (album) Back Off Cupids is a solo album by the San Diego, California musician John Reis, released in 2000 by Big Fish Records. "Back Off Cupids" was also the name given by Reis to the musical project... |
vocals, guitar, bass guitar Bass guitar The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... , drums Drum kit A 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 .... , other instrumentation |
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| Sultans | Sultans Sultans (EP) Sultans is the introductory EP by the San Diego, California rock and roll band Sultans, released in 2000 by Swami Records. It was the band's first release and contained one track that would also appear on their debut album Ghost Ship later that year.... |
bass guitar, lead vocals | |
| Ghost Ship Ghost Ship (album) 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. Tthis was also the time at which Reis formed Hot... |
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| 2001 | Rocket from the Crypt | Group Sounds Group Sounds (album) 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.... |
guitar, lead vocals |
| 2002 | Hot Snakes | Suicide Invoice Suicide Invoice Suicide Invoice is the second 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... |
guitar, backing vocals |
| Rocket from the Crypt | Live from Camp X-Ray Live from Camp X-Ray Live from Camp X-Ray is an album by the San Diego, California 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... |
guitar, lead vocals | |
| 2004 | Sultans | Shipwrecked Shipwrecked (album) 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... |
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| Hot Snakes | Audit in Progress Audit in Progress 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... |
guitar, backing vocals | |
| 2005 | Peel Sessions | ||
| 2006 | 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... |
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| 2008 | Rocket from the Crypt | R.I.P. R.I.P. (Rocket from the Crypt album) R.I.P. is a live album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released on February 26, 2008 by Vagrant Records. It is a recording of the band's final performance on October 31, 2005 at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in San Diego... |
guitar, lead vocals |
| The Night Marchers The Night Marchers The Night Marchers are an alternative rock band formed in 2007 in San Diego, California. 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... |
See You in Magic See You in Magic 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... |