Hot Snakes
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in San Diego, California, United States |
| Founder | Rick Froberg, John Reis |
| Defunct | 2005 (initially), reformed 2011, ended 2023 |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, EPs, singles, music videos |
| Owner | Swami Records (label founded by John Reis) |
Hot Snakes was a rock group from the United States, spearheaded by Rick Froberg and John Reis, established in 1999 in San Diego, California. Prior to forming Hot Snakes, Reis and Froberg had collaborated in bands such as Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, with Reis also gaining global recognition through Rocket from the Crypt. The band dissolved in 2005 but came back together in 2011, continuing until Froberg's passing in 2023.
Although connected to their previous projects, Hot Snakes cultivated a rawer sound shaped by influences like The Wipers, Suicide, and the Michael Yonkers Band. This fusion resulted in a unique style that PunkNews characterized as "hardcore garage punk." The group adhered to DIY ethics, with Froberg creating all visual artwork and Reis distributing releases via his own Swami Records label.
1999–2001: Origins and Automatic Midnight
In 1999, during a hiatus from Rocket from the Crypt, longtime collaborators Reis and Froberg—who had previously played together in San Diego bands Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu—initiated Hot Snakes as a side endeavor. After Drive Like Jehu ended in 1995, Reis concentrated on Rocket from the Crypt while Froberg pursued visual arts in New York. Reis founded his label, Swami Records, and recorded Hot Snakes' debut album Automatic Midnight in 2000, featuring drummer Jason Kourkounis and Froberg on vocals. This release was the inaugural album for Swami Records.
Due to members residing across San Diego, New York, and Philadelphia, the band faced logistical difficulties that led to intermittent but vigorous touring. Gar Wood joined as bassist for live shows. Following initial tours, Reis returned full-time to Rocket from the Crypt.
2002–2004: Suicide Invoice and Audit in Progress
The band reunited in 2002 to record Suicide Invoice and embarked on a U.S. tour. In 2003, Kourkounis departed to join Burning Brides, while Reis resumed his activities with Rocket from the Crypt. For their 2004 album Audit in Progress, drummer Mario Rubalcaba was brought on board. The band supported this release with extensive touring throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.
During a UK tour, Hot Snakes recorded sessions at BBC's John Peel studio shortly before Peel’s death; these recordings were issued as the Peel Sessions EP, replacing a planned UK single featuring "Braintrust."
2005–2006: Dissolution and Thunder Down Under
In May 2005, while touring Australia, Hot Snakes recorded a live studio session at ABC studios for radio station triple j. After returning to the United States, Reis announced that the band was disbanding. Audit in Progress earned "best punk album" at the 2005 San Diego Music Awards, and soon after Reis confirmed Rocket from the Crypt was also breaking up. That autumn, Hot Snakes contributed a cover of Government Issue's "Time to Escape" to the soundtrack of the video game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, marking their last recording. The Australian radio session was released posthumously in 2006 as Thunder Down Under.
Following the disbandment of both groups, Reis concentrated on managing Swami Records and occasionally performed alongside Rubalcaba in the Sultans until their breakup in 2007. Rubalcaba became part of San Diego’s Earthless and co-owns Thirsty Moon Records. Wood continued his recording work with Beehive and the Barracudas, while Froberg moved back to New York to pursue visual arts and formed a new band called Obits in 2008. Meanwhile, Reis, Wood, and Kourkounis reunited to form The Night Marchers.
2010–2023: Reunion and Froberg's Passing
On July 29, 2010, The Night Marchers and Obits appeared at The Casbah in San Diego, where the original members of Hot Snakes came together for an encore comprising three songs. The following year, in 2011, Hot Snakes officially reformed with Jason Kourkounis and Mario Rubalcaba sharing drumming responsibilities during performances, including appearances at All Tomorrow's Parties and Fun Fun Fun Fest. Between March and April 2012, the band embarked on a tour along the West Coast of the United States, later performing at the Orion Music + More festival in New Jersey, curated by Metallica, in June.
On August 14, 2017, Hot Snakes revealed plans for a fall tour alongside the announcement of a forthcoming album scheduled for spring 2018 through Sub Pop, which also undertook reissuing their previous releases. Their album Jericho Sirens was launched in 2018 to favorable reviews from critics.
In June 2023, Froberg shared via Instagram that a fifth album by Hot Snakes was "very near done." Tragically, he died two weeks later on June 30 at the age of 55.
Band members
| 1999–2003 Automatic Midnight Suicide Invoice |
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|---|---|
| 2003–05 Audit in Progress Peel Sessions Thunder Down Under |
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| 2011–2023 Jericho Sirens |
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- Rick Froberg – lead vocals, guitar (1999–2005, 2011–2023; until his death)
- John Reis – guitar, backing vocals (1999–2005, 2011–2023)
- Gar Wood – bass guitar, backing vocals (1999–2005, 2011–2023)
- Jason Kourkounis – drums (1999–2003, 2011–2023)
- Mario Rubalcaba – drums (2003–2005, 2011–2023)
Discography
Hot Snakes' discography features four studio albums, one live album, one EP, six singles, and three music videos.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Automatic Midnight
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| 2002 | Suicide Invoice
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| 2004 | Audit in Progress
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| 2018 | Jericho Sirens
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Live albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Thunder Down Under
|
Extended plays
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Peel Sessions
|
Singles
| Year | Single title | Associated album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "This Mystic Decade" | Audit in Progress |
| 2011 | "DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)" b/w "Time to Escape" | Not applicable |
| 2018 | "Six Wave Hold-Down" | Jericho Sirens |
| "Death Camp Fantasy" | ||
| 2019 | "Checkmate" | Not applicable |
| 2020 | "I Shall Be Free" | Not applicable |
Music videos
| Year | Song title | Director | Album association |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Braintrust" | Audit in Progress | |
| 2019 | "Checkmate" | ||
| 2020 | "I Shall Be Free" |
Other appearances
Selected Hot Snakes songs that have been included on various compilation albums are as follows:
| Year | Compilation details | Track featured |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Swami Sound System Vol. 1
|
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| 2005 | Tony Hawk's American Wasteland soundtrack
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