Alien Crime Syndicate
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in San Francisco, California, United States |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Alien Crime Syndicate (ACS) was a rock group established in San Francisco, California in 1997. From 1999 until their dissolution in 2005, the principal members consisted of Joe Reineke (vocals, guitar), Jeff Rouse (bass, backing vocals), and Nabil Ayers (drums). Guitarists Jason Krevey, Mike Squires, and Mike Davis also contributed to the ensemble during various periods.
Following the breakup of The Meices, Joe Reineke teamed up with Jeff Rouse to create Alien Crime Syndicate in San Francisco. They moved to Los Angeles after securing a contract with Revolution Records. After completing their first album, the label ceased operations, which led the band to relocate to Seattle. There, they expanded their lineup by adding drummer Nabil Ayers, formerly of The Lemons, and guitarist Jason Krevey. In 1999, they released a five-track EP before unveiling their debut full-length Dust to Dirt in 2001. That same year, Will Records acquired and issued their previously recorded album From the Word Go originally made under Revolution.
By 2001, Krevey departed and was succeeded by Mike Squires, previously of the Nevada Bachelors. Their 2002 release XL from Coast to Coast, distributed through Ayers' own label The Control Group, included the single "Ozzy," which received notable airplay locally. After signing with V2 Records, the album was re-released along with the 2003 EP Break the Record.
Their fourth studio project, Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal (2004), came out via The Control Group following their exit from V2. Guitarist Mike Davis took over from Squires. During this phase, they toured alongside and supported Tommy Stinson as his backing band. Alien Crime Syndicate disbanded in 2005, with members moving on to other musical endeavors.
Formation (1997–1999)
In 1997, Joe Reineke, formerly associated with The Meices, founded Alien Crime Syndicate with bassist Jeff Rouse in San Francisco. By mid-year, they had relocated to Los Angeles and signed with Revolution Records. Along with Shawn Trudeau, they recorded their debut album under producer Gil Norton at Grandmaster Studios. However, by 1998 Revolution Records folded and dropped the band.
The band then shifted base to Seattle, incorporating drummer Nabil Ayers (ex-The Lemons) and guitarist Jason Krevey into their lineup. They performed extensively in local venues and released a five-song EP titled Supernatural in 1999 through Ayers’ label Collective Fruit. The EP garnered positive reviews, drawing comparisons to U2 and being commended for its distinctive sound. During this time, they continued performing locally and toured parts of California.
Dust to Dirt and From the Word Go (1999–2001)
Alien Crime Syndicate recorded Dust to Dirt at Seattle’s Orbit Audio and Jupiter Studios. Produced by Joe Reineke himself, this album combined fresh tracks with re-recorded songs from an unreleased record. Released on February 8, 2000 by Collective Fruit, it received moderate radio exposure during its supporting tour. When Will Records obtained rights to the unreleased From the Word Go album, Collective Fruit halted further pressings of Dust to Dirt to concentrate on touring behind Will’s release on July 18, 2000.
According to Allmusic’s Stewart Mason, From the Word Go is characterized by guitar-driven power pop infused with psychedelic elements that appeal to fans of pop/rock through jangly guitar work, vintage synthesizers, and memorable hooks. Mason also noted resemblances to Carl Newman’s pre-New Pornographers band Zumpano while emphasizing Alien Crime Syndicate’s distinctive space-themed motifs. The band maintained live performances throughout the Northwest region supporting this release.
In 2000, bassist Jeff Rouse accepted an invitation from drummer Geoff Reading to join Loaded as Dave Dederer’s replacement for US and Japan tours promoting Loaded’s album Dark Days.
XL from Coast to Coast (2001–2003)
The group dedicated a full year to composing and producing their third studio album. Following Krevey's departure, Mike Squires—guitarist for Rouse's Loaded and former member of the Nevada Bachelors—joined the lineup. Recording took place at Seattle's Orbit Audio Studios, with Reineke handling production duties. To facilitate the album's release, Ayers established the record label The Control Group, which launched XL from Coast to Coast in January 2002. The album garnered favorable critiques, with reviewers highlighting stylistic echoes of Urge Overkill and The Replacements. The lead single "Ozzy" enjoyed steady rotation on Seattle’s KNDD radio station, achieving modest chart success, while both single and album ranked among the best-selling titles at local indie retailers according to Seattle Weekly.
Shortly thereafter, the band secured a contract with V2 Records, who reissued the album three months post initial release. Versions distributed in Europe and Japan via Toshiba EMI featured a rendition of Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", performed with guest artists Duff McKagan (ex-Guns N' Roses) and Kim Warnick (from Visqueen and formerly of the Fastbacks). This cover also appeared on the 2003 Break the Record EP. Supporting the release, the band toured extensively, including an appearance at the Fremont Fair and opening for Sugar Ray during their Six Flags amusement park tour.
Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal and Tommy Stinson (2003–2005)
After parting ways with V2 Records, Alien Crime Syndicate returned to releasing music through The Control Group for their subsequent album. They began pre-production working alongside producer Gil Norton, who contributed to song arrangements. The recording sessions occurred again at Orbit Audio Studios, with Reineke producing and Norton serving as executive producer. Before entering the studio, bassist Squires exited the band and was replaced by Mike Davis, who also added guitar parts on three tracks. Released on April 20, 2004, Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal received positive acclaim; Allmusic described it as "a kickass rock & roll record" that is both "immediate" and "fun."
Following the album’s release, Alien Crime Syndicate toured along the West Coast before joining forces with Guns N' Roses bassist Tommy Stinson as his backing band and opening act during his solo album Village Gorilla Head tour. They embarked on extensive tours across both the United States and Europe alongside Stinson and recorded live performances intended for a possible DVD project. By 2005, the band had officially disbanded.
Post-breakup activities (2005–present)
After Alien Crime Syndicate dissolved, Rouse became a member of Vendetta Red, later forming Sirens Sister with Vendetta Red alumni Zach Davidson, Leif Anderson, and Ben Libay following that band's breakup. Sirens Sister released one album titled Echoes from the Ocean Floor in 2006 before Rouse departed. He then reunited with Loaded along with Mike Squires in 2006, producing the EP Wasted Heart (2008), followed by the full-length albums Sick (2009) and completing The Taking in 2010. Additionally, Rouse initiated a solo endeavor named To the Glorious Lonely.
Meanwhile, Ayers joined John Roderick's project The Long Winters, touring alongside Keane and contributing to their album Putting the Days to Bed. His music retail store Sonic Boom earned recognition as America's top independent music shop by Rolling Stone magazine in 2006.
Musical style
The sound of Alien Crime Syndicate is frequently described using genres such as space rock, power pop, hard rock, indie rock, pop rock, and pop punk. Their musical approach has been likened to that of bands like U2, Zumpano, Urge Overkill, The Replacements, Weezer, and Fountains of Wayne.
Band members
- Joe Reineke – lead vocals, guitar (1997–2005)
- Jeff Rouse – bass guitar, backing vocals (1997–2005)
- Nabil Ayers – drums (1999–2005)
- Sean Trudeau – drums (1997–1999)
- Jason Krevey – guitar, backing vocals (1999–2001)
- Mike Squires – guitar, backing vocals (2002–2003)
- Mike Davis – guitar (2004)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Dust to Dirt (released in 2000)
- From the Word Go (2000)
- XL from Coast to Coast (2002)
- Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal (2004)
- EPs
- Supernatural (1999)
- Break the Record (2003)