Rocket from the Crypt
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles, EPs |
Rocket from the Crypt is a punk rock group originating from San Diego, California, with active periods spanning from 1990 to 2005, a brief reunion in 2011, and a resurgence beginning in 2013.
Their breakthrough came after the release of the 1992 album Circa: Now!, which led to a contract with Interscope Records. The band reached their commercial zenith with Scream, Dracula, Scream! in 1995 and RFTC in 1998, supported by numerous vinyl singles and EP releases on independent labels. Despite this success, sales did not meet expectations, prompting Interscope to prioritize other more lucrative artists. Consequently, Rocket from the Crypt parted ways with the label, and soon after, drummer Atom Willard exited the band.
During a break from 1999 to 2000, frontman John Reis launched several new ventures including Hot Snakes, Sultans, and his own label, Swami Records. Upon returning, Rocket from the Crypt signed with Vagrant Records and incorporated drummer Ruby Mars. This refreshed lineup sparked renewed creativity, resulting in two additional albums, albeit at a slower pace.
As members increasingly engaged in side projects, Rocket from the Crypt's activity diminished until their official disbandment in 2005, culminating in a sold-out farewell concert held on Halloween in San Diego.
The group briefly reunited for a special television appearance on Yo Gabba Gabba! in 2011 before reforming fully in 2013 to embark on tours throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Rocket from the Crypt has left a significant mark on alternative music scenes, influencing bands such as Jimmy Eat World, the Get Up Kids, and Unbroken.
Formation
Following the dissolution of his post-hardcore band Pitchfork in 1990, John Reis established both Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu during July and August of that year. Conceived as a punk-influenced rock and roll outfit, Rocket from the Crypt’s initial members included Reis himself, guitarist Andy Stamets, bassist Pete Reichert, drummer Sean, and backing vocalist Elaina. The group’s name was inspired by the 1970s underground punk act Rocket from the Tombs. This original lineup remained intact for approximately six months and recorded their debut album Paint as a Fragrance, which was released in 1991 through local label Cargo Music. Reis adopted the stage name "Speedo" for this endeavor. Concurrently, he was also active with Drive Like Jehu, who recorded their first album during this period. After Sean and Elaina left San Diego, drummer Adam Willard joined under the moniker "Atom." Stamets and Reichert also took on pseudonyms for performances as "ND" and "Petey X," respectively.
Shortly thereafter, the band expanded its sound by adding a horn section featuring saxophonist Paul "Apollo 9" O'Beirne. Known for their dynamic live performances, Rocket from the Crypt fostered audience engagement by handing out self-produced lyric booklets and noisemakers during shows. They released a steady stream of vinyl singles that helped build a loyal underground fanbase. Reis reflected on this period:
"It was very immediate; that’s why we enjoyed releasing singles early on... The turnaround time was incredible... By the time fans received them, it was less than a month. They were hearing something brand new—something we were creating right then. We kept that pace for about three years."
Their sophomore album Circa: Now! was released in 1992, followed by their inaugural tour and music videos for tracks like "Ditchdigger" and "Sturdy Wrist." The horn section grew with the addition of trumpeter Jason "JC 2000" Crane. Around this era, Reis announced in a fanzine that fans sporting Rocket from the Crypt tattoos would be granted free lifetime entry to their concerts, sparking an international tattoo trend among supporters.
Contract with Interscope
Interest from record labels in Drive Like Jehu paved the way for both Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt to sign with Interscope Records in 1992. Rocket from the Crypt negotiated terms that permitted them to release vinyl records through other labels. Their vinyl singles and rare tracks were gathered into the compilation All Systems Go, while Interscope reissued Circa: Now! and supported ongoing touring efforts. Despite a crowded market, the band paused activities for six months in 1994 as Reis completed a final album with Drive Like Jehu.
Upon reconvening, the group issued several vinyl singles and a trio of releases in 1995, beginning with the EP The State of Art is on Fire followed by the well-received Hot Charity. To promote Hot Charity, they embarked on a six-week "free tour" across the United States, with Interscope underwriting all expenses to eliminate ticket charges. This set the stage for their first full-length album under Interscope, the critically acclaimed Scream, Dracula, Scream!. Utilizing a generous recording budget, they incorporated orchestral elements and collaborated with top-tier producers to craft a grandiose sound often regarded as their artistic zenith. The singles "On a Rope," "Born in '69," and "Young Livers" were accompanied by music videos and extensive touring throughout the US, UK, and Europe.
Their popularity in the UK rose significantly when "On a Rope" climbed to No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart, receiving airplay on MTV Europe, favorable reviews in NME, and performances on Top of the Pops. In 1996, they earned The Phillip Hall Radar award at the NME Awards.
In America, they found success within alternative rock circles through MTV video exposure and positive media attention. MTV VJ Lisa Kennedy Montgomery notably displayed their logo as a tattoo during national broadcasts. Throughout 1996, they headlined numerous tours and also supported acts such as Rancid and Soundgarden. The band's live shows became renowned for distinctive elements like raffles, game show-style wheels determining set lists, fire breathing acts, themed holiday events, and matching costumes. Their European presence grew through appearances on variety programs, children's shows, and interviews with fashion magazines.
Changes in Band Membership
The year 1998 saw the release of RFTC by Rocket from the Crypt. For touring purposes, Chris Prescott—known from San Diego bands Tanner and No Knife—joined as an additional percussionist and keyboard player. Although singles like "Break it Up" and "Lipstick" received positive feedback and radio play, the album did not meet commercial expectations. After completing their contractual commitments, the band parted ways with their label. In 1999, San Diego publication SLAMM honored them as the "best San Diego band of all time." That same year they released the EP Cut Carefully and Play Loud, but internal conflicts resulted in drummer Atom Willard leaving in early 2000. Willard subsequently joined The Offspring and Angels & Airwaves as drummer. During a short break, Reis founded his own label, Swami Records, releasing a rarities compilation titled All Systems Go 2 along with debut albums from his new projects Hot Snakes and Sultans.
Signing with Vagrant
In 2000, Rocket from the Crypt entered into a contract with the independent label Vagrant Records and commenced work on the album Group Sounds. Initially, Superchunk's drummer Jon Wurster temporarily handled drum duties until San Diego native and skateboard enthusiast Mario Rubalcaba, known as "Ruby Mars," joined as a permanent member, injecting new energy into the group. The 2001 release of Group Sounds was met with favorable critiques. After a brief touring period, band members redirected their attention to other endeavors. Their final studio album, Live From Camp X-Ray, was released in 2002. Subsequently, Reis devoted himself to Hot Snakes, Sultans, and producing artists under Swami Records. Rocket from the Crypt continued to perform occasionally thereafter.
Disbandment
Following Hot Snakes' breakup in August 2005, Reis declared that Rocket from the Crypt would hold their concluding concert on Halloween in San Diego. After a final East Coast appearance in New York City, the farewell show at Westin Horton Plaza Hotel sold out and was recorded for a DVD release.
After the dissolution, Reis concentrated on Swami Records and remained active with Sultans until their 2007 split before establishing The Night Marchers. Reichert went on to create Merch Lackey, an online merchandise business. O'Beirne transitioned into teaching project management and marketing at a high school in San Diego; Crane moved to Belize. Stamets continued performing with local bands such as Beehive & the Barracudas. Rubalcaba co-owns Thirsty Moon Records in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood and plays with Earthless and Off!. He also occasionally appeared with Sultans until 2007.
Swami Records released an early cut of the farewell concert DVD in October 2006; however, a fire at Fourth Project delayed the final edition until February 2008, when it was issued as the combined CD/DVD package titled R.I.P.. The third installment of rarities, All Systems Go 3, was made available on August 28, 2008. A fourth and concluding volume of this series is planned as a CD/DVD release.
Reunion
In October 2011, Rocket from the Crypt reunited with drummer Adam Willard for an episode of the children's program Yo Gabba Gabba!. Reis, who appears on the show under the persona "The Swami," commented that the band was "only interested in playing to audiences of 5 to 10 people aged 3 to 6" and expressed doubt about future performances. They debuted an original track titled "He's a Chef," which was exclusively distributed through Volcom retail outlets. In December 2012, they announced a full reunion that led to tours throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.
In March 2015, Vintage Piss was released by Sonny Vincent featuring Rocket from the Crypt. This album had been initially recorded in 2003 with the band serving as Vincent's backing musicians but remained incomplete until Reis finalized production following their reunion.
The group continues to perform intermittently, including annual concerts around Halloween.
Band members
- Current members
- Speedo (John Reis) – guitar, lead vocals (1990–2005, 2011, 2013–present)
- Petey X (Pete Reichert) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1990–2005, 2011, 2013–present)
- ND (Andy Stamets) – guitar, backing vocals (1990–2005, 2011, 2013–present)
- Apollo 9 (Paul O'Beirne) – saxophone, percussion, backing vocals (1991–2005, 2011, 2013–present)
- JC 2000 (Jason Crane) – trumpet, percussion, backing vocals (1994–2005, 2011, 2013–present)
- Ruby Mars (Mario Rubalcaba) – drums (2001–2005, 2013–present)
- Former members
- Elaina (Elaina Torres) – backing vocals (1990–1991)
- Sean (Sean Flynn) – drums (1990–1991)
- Atom (Adam Willard) – drums (1991–2000, 2011, 2013, 2014)
Lineups
| 1990–1991 Paint as a Fragrance |
|
|---|---|
| 1991–1994 Circa: Now! All Systems Go |
|
| 1994–2000, 2011, 2013, 2014 The State of Art Is on Fire Hot Charity Scream, Dracula, Scream! RFTC Cut Carefully and Play Loud All Systems Go 2 |
|
| 2001–2005, 2013–Present Group Sounds Live from Camp X-Ray R.I.P. |
|
Discography
| Studio albums | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1991 | Paint as a Fragrance | Cargo/Headhunter |
| 1992 | Circa: Now! | |
| 1995 | Hot Charity | Perfect Sound |
| Scream, Dracula, Scream! | Interscope | |
| 1998 | RFTC | |
| 2001 | Group Sounds | Vagrant |
| 2002 | Live from Camp X-Ray | |
General references
- Pecorelli, John. Into the Void: A Short, Woefully Incomplete Oral History of Rocket from the Crypt. Alternative Press, February 2006, pages 72–76.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Rocket from the Crypt
- Musical groups established in 1990
- Musical groups disestablished in 2005
- Musical groups reestablished in 2013
- Musical groups from San Diego
- Punk rock groups from California
- American psychobilly musical groups
- Swami Records artists
- Sympathy for the Record Industry artists
- 1990 establishments in California