Am I the only one who doesn't "get" Rocket From the Crypt?

...all worthy starting points. i happen to believe that you have to live the *RFTC live experience* to truly understand the greatness of this band though!

Group Sounds = their extremely rock 2001 album. One of my faves.

Live experience = genius.

Band = just plain great.

p.s. EFIL4CTFR

That said, their best album is their last album Live From Camp X-Ray from 2002 -- which isn't live. It's their most topical album to date ("post 9/11 bullshit", basically, and meant bitterly) and their least bullshit album as far as production goes. It's a packed solid 29-minute explosion of rock angst with hooks -- of the guitar noise and the melody variety. If you like all the other Reis stuff but not RFTC, I'd recommend Live From Camp X-Ray as a starter. If you think that's too weak, then there's probably not that much hope.. other than the Hot Charity/Cut Carefully And Play Loud two-fer reissue or The State Of The Art Is On Fire.

SARDINES! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

...hmmmm,more cryptic [sorry about the bad pun] comments about the future of RFTC! between you and ned on the hot snakes thread you are making me a little uneasy. also it has been forever since http://rftc.com/ was updated.

btw this thread has inspired me to throw on Group Sounds and reaffirm my devotion.

Scream is a freakin' great album and is not to be denied.

Circa Now and Live at Camp X-Ray are also goodness!

nope (and i'm proof, as anthony knows well.)

And because of Drive Like Jehu, I really had no reason to pay attention to RFTC after Circa:Now!

That's kinda too bad because, while you could have happily ignored most of their 90s output and be happy, their last two albums on Vagrant were a bit of a step back into what made them exciting in the first place, except even better. I find Circa: Now far too one dimensional compared to Group Sounds and Live From Camp X-Ray. Maybe Atom was a soul sucker of some sort, because ever since Rocket got Mario as their drummer, they just peaked.

And I shouldn't blame Atom for being a soul sucker. That was mean. (Although he was shilling as being part of Weezer's fuck farm/groupie-gathering roadie entourage right after leaving Rocket.) But I think Interscope ended up being a complete drag for the band, and John has been quite happy ever since Swami got off the ground. You can tell.

But there's far more facets to John's output than even RFTC/Sultans and Pitchfork/Jehu/Hot Snakes.. he does TONS of outside anonymous noise music under the name the White Apes.. which is basically John and friends Gar and many others getting, well, really high and just fucking around. Keep in mind that there's a lot of great weirdo-rock history in the early 90s from San Diego, as documented on the Homestead comp Ask For Disorder. Trumans Water, Creedle, Crash Worship, Antioch Arrow, Johnny Superbad, Powerdresser (HOLY SHIT! Talk about one of the most underrated rock bands of the century), Physics, Heavy Vegetable (more poppy, but weirdo tempos), Drip Tank even, Lesser, anything P. Hix did pre Optiganally Yours (even though I love OY, they're not "weirdo rock" really) I could go on... Anyway, John was actively as much a part of that as everyone else.. but he's been more subtle about his participation in it all.

I'm just sick of the Jehu vs. Rocket dichotomy.. I can understand talking about it in the 90s, but it's not really applicable anymore.

Also I'm not as high on Hot Snakes as DLJ, I think Hot Snakes are really a *lite*, near Jehu reunion/extension. The first Hot Snakes album was all John's playing and no Rick which lacked the balance the DLJ records had.

That said, I prefer Headstart To Purgatory to Ask For Disorder.

I forgot to mention Three Mile Pilot above.. probably because they're one of the few bands from that era that haven't officially broken up yet! -- or at least haven't moved or drastically changed. Yeah, yeah, they've taken a six-year hiatus at this point and keep promising to get back together... it's just this pesky Pinback-and-Black-Heart-Procession-being-profitable thing that keeps them from following through.

Also, Eric Hoverstein, ex A Minor Forest/Threnody Ensemble, was and now is (AFAIK) back in San Diego... Not sure what he's up to now.

On Halloween night in San Diego, Rocket from the Crypt will be playing our farewell show. After 16 years of scars and ear damage all in the name of spreading goodwill and the Rock N Roll doctrine, we will take the stage for the last time on our favorite day of the year. We know that it is very difficult for those around the world to be with us for this celebration, but we invite all that have been a part of this awesome ride to come out one more time and give it up for the band. We will offer those that have supported and fueled us the first opportunity to purchase tickets. The show is taking place in a hotel ballroom and room packages will be offered with the tickets if you desire. There is a limited number of these discounted room/ticket packages available. There will be five ticket options. 1. Ticket only, 2. Room with 1 ticket, 3. Room with 2 tickets, 4. Room with 3 tickets, 5. Room with 4 tickets. The show is unfortunately 21 and up only as there will be rampant live!
r-defying consumption. The rest of the info is below.

Rocket From The Crypt's last show
Monday, October 31 2005
Westin Horton Plaza Grand Ballroom (910 Broadway Circle - San Diego, CA)
21 and up
Other bands TBA

Fan pre-sale: Friday, September 9, 2005 at 12:00 pm (PST)
at www.casbahmusic.com
This presale will only last until Sunday night (September 11) before they are open to everyone else!!

Ticket options and prices (We apologize for the cost, expenses are high):
$30.00 advance ticket only
$165.00 Room with one ticket (Hotel tax is not included in this price)
$25.00 each additional ticket with room. Up to four tickets may be purchased with room package.
This option is only available until October 1, 2005!

Rocket tattoos will be accommodated for the show admission only BUT we need to know if you are planning to attend.
If you are already a member of Speedo's Army please email
speedosarmy@hotmail.com and RSVP.
You must RSVP by October 1st.
Once you RSVP you must be admitted in the show by 8:30 or your spot will taken by someone else. We want to insure that we accommodate as many people as possible.

Thanks and I hope to see you there,

Speedo AKA Swami AKA John Anthony Reis, Jr. III

may the rocket from the crypt be with you.

all y'all.