Rocket from the Crypt

Rocket from the Crypt

Rocket from the Crypt are a San Diego punk and garage rock group active from 1989 to 2005. The band forms around singer and guitarist John Reis, who starts the project after leaving the hardcore punk group Pitchfork. Its early lineup includes bassist Petey X, guitarist N.D., drummer Sean, and backing vocalist Elaina. The group also works under the shorter name RFTC.

Formation and early releases

Rocket from the Crypt begins in the summer of 1990, despite references in the band’s own history to earlier dates. The group releases Paint as a Fragrance in 1991. Its first run also includes the independent release Circa: Now!, which comes out on Cargo Records in 1992 and is later reissued by Interscope Records in 1993 after a major-label bidding war. The single “Ditch Digger” gains visibility through MTV’s Buzz Bin.

Line-up changes and instruments

The band’s line-up changes several times. After Paint as a Fragrance, Atom Willard becomes the drummer and Apollo 9 joins on saxophone. In 1994, JC 2000 is added on trumpet, expanding the group’s horn-driven sound. By the time of Group Sounds, the band includes John Reis, Petey X, N.D., Speedo, Apollo 9, JC 2000, and other contributors associated with the project, including Ruby Mars.

Records and label history

Rocket from the Crypt signs to Interscope Records, while John Reis is also active in Drive Like Jehu, which includes former Pitchfork member Rick Froberg. The band later moves to Vagrant Records after leaving Interscope. Key releases include the 10-inch The State of Art Is on Fire in 1995, the album Scream, Dracula, Scream later that same year, the self-titled RFTC in 1998, Group Sounds in 2001, and Live from Camp X-Ray in 2002.

Recording approach and collaborators

The band develops a strongly self-directed recording method, at one point building its own studio to capture a mix of lo-fi immediacy and greater clarity. Its recordings involve several outside collaborators, including Gar Wood on vocals, Mark Trombino on mixing, Stuart Sikes at Easley Studios in Memphis, and producer and mixer Donnell Cameron, who works on a large share of the group’s recorded output from 1991 onwards. Jim Dickinson also appears on piano on “Ghost Shark.”

Style and live reputation

Rocket from the Crypt are known for a garage-punk and punk rock sound built around sharp guitars, horns, and high-energy arrangements. Their music draws on rock and roll, soul, and punk traditions, and the band is closely associated with a loud, fast, tightly arranged style. The group also gains a reputation for its live performances and for avoiding conventional stage setups in its earliest concept.

Final years

After about 16 years of playing together, Rocket from the Crypt play a farewell show in San Diego on Halloween 2005.