Rocket from the Crypt was formed in 1990 with an initial lineup of singer/guitarist John Reis (Speedo), guitarist Andy Stamets (ND), bassist Pete Reichert (Petey X), drummer Sean, and backing vocalist Elaina. Their debut album, Paint as a Fragrance, was released in 1991 through the Cargo Music imprint Headhunter Records. Sean and Elaina then moved away from San Diego and drummer Adam Willard (Atom) and saxophonist Paul O'Beirne (Apollo 9) joined. The band released a series of vinyl singles on various independent record labels, followed by their second album, Circa: Now!, on Headhunter in 1992. Trumpeter Jason Crane (JC 2000) joined the band just as Circa: Now! attracted the attention of major record labels. Rocket from the Crypt signed with Interscope Records, who re-released Circa: Now! while Cargo released All Systems Go, a compilation album of the band's vinyl singles.
The band's contract with Interscope included the freedom to record vinyl releases for other labels. They had three releases in 1995: The EP The State of Art is on Fire, the LPHot Charity, and the album Scream, Dracula, Scream! The singles "Born in '69" and "Young Livers" reached the UK Singles Chart at #68 and #67 respectively. "On a Rope" was a greater success, reaching #12. Music videos for all three singles were played on MTV and MTV Europe, and Scream, Dracula, Scream! peaked at #41 on the UK Albums Chart. RFTC was released in 1998 but did not fare as well as its predecessor, reaching only #63 while its lead single "Lipstick" reached #64. Rocket from the Crypt left Interscope in 1999 and released the EP Cut Carefully and Play Loud independently. Disagreements over the band's direction led to Willard leaving the group, and the band took a hiatus during which Reis founded Swami Records and released All Systems Go 2.
Rocket from the Crypt next signed to Vagrant Records and released Group Sounds in 2001, including contributions from Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster as well as their new permanent drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Ruby Mars). Group Sounds was their first album to chart in their home country, reaching #40 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart. Live from Camp X-Ray followed in 2002 and reached #45. It proved to be their final studio album, as the members drifted into other projects over the next few years and decided to disband. Rocket from the Crypt's final performance on Halloween 2005 in San Diego was filmed and recorded, and was released in 2008 as R.I.P.All Systems Go 3 followed that same year, and Reis plans to eventually release a fourth, final installment in the series. In October 2011 the band reunited for the children's television Yo Gabba Gabba! where they would perform a brand new song titled "He's a Chef" which was released as a limited edition single exclusively through Volcom clothing stores and later on the 2017 compilation Yo Gabba Gabba! Hey!. A reunion tour followed in 2012. In March 2015 Vintage Piss was released under Sonny Vincent and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt, minus the horn section, served as Vincent's backing band. The album was originally recorded in 2003 but left unmixed and unfinished until Reis, who also produced the album, decided to go back and give the album a proper mixing and release [1]
^IAll Systems Go was initially released only in Japan. A second version with a different track list was released in the United States by Cargo Music later the same year. This version was re-released by Sympathy for the Record Industry in 1998.
^IIHot Charity / Cut Carefully and Play Loud combines the LP Hot Charity and the EP Cut Carefully and Play Loud.
^IThe State of Art Is on Fire was reissued on CD in 1996, including the tracks from Rocket from the Crypt Plays the Music Machine.
^IICut Carefully and Play Loud was reissued on CD by Swami in 2002 on the compilation album Hot Charity / Cut Carefully and Play Loud.
Singles
Rocket from the Crypt released 28 singles on both vinyl and CD formats during their career, but only six of these were commercially released singles intended to promote specific songs from their albums. The remaining 22 were vinyl-only singles and are listed below under "Vinyl singles". Promotional singles of "Ditch Digger" and "Sturdy Wrists" from Circa: Now! were released to radio stations for airplay, but these were not released as commercial singles.
"—" denotes singles that were released but did not chart.
Vinyl singles
Rocket from the Crypt released 22 singles during their career that were exclusive to the vinyl format. Most of these were released in limited numbers and were not distributed to radio stations for airplay, unlike the 6 singles which were released to promote specific songs from their studio albums. Many of the tracks from the vinyl singles were re-released on the All Systems Go compilation albums, as noted below.
Released in 2 versions, one by the band and the other for the Pushead fan club. The title was derived from the felt cover in the shape of the band's logo which folded around the record. 125 copies were manufactured, but only 75 were released in this package. The remaining copies were used for the split release with Septic Death.
1992
Yum Kippered
Released: June 1992
Label: Helter Skelter (HS #92712)
Format: 7" single
"Bad Ninja"
"Goodbye"
"Kill the Funk (There Will Be No Funk in Outer Space)"
Split release with both bands' songs on side A (side B is blank). Limited to 417 copies, released in 3 versions with different colored sleeves, only to the Pushead fan club.
Ghetto Box Rock
Released: 1993
Label: Snap Crackle Punk (SCP #001)
Format: 7" single
"Lie"
"Video Reign Man"
Single-sided release with a blank B side. Limited to 2,500 copies included with issue #4 of Speed Kills magazine. Another 2,500 copies were reissued later that year. Both songs recorded in the band's rehearsal space using a ghetto blaster.
Single-sided release with a blank B side. Released exclusively to members of "Speedo's Army", a club of registered fans with Rocket from the Crypt tattoos.
"I Flame You"
Released: 1995
Label: Perfect Sound
Format: 7" single
"I Flame You"
Single-sided release with the band's name and artwork etched on the surface of the B side. Released exclusively to the band's fan club.
Given away at two in-store performances in London and to members of "Speedo's Army". Unmarked jukebox single limited to 150-200 copies. "Lose Your Clown" originally performed by Ray Charles.
1998
Rocket from the Crypt / Julian Briano y Sus Hermanos
Split release limited-edition green marbled 7-inch released as part of Yo Gabba Gabba!'s clothing and accessories collaboration with Volcom. Rocket from the Crypt's "He's a Chef" is featured as the double A side.[4]
^I Denotes songs that were re-released on the US version of All Systems Go.
^II Denotes songs that were re-released on All Systems Go 2.
The following Rocket from the Crypt songs were released on compilation albums, soundtracks, and other releases. Some songs were later re-released on the All Systems Go compilation albums, as noted below. This is not an exhaustive list: songs that were first released on the band's albums, EPs, or singles are not included.
Year
Release details
Track(s)
1992
Head Start to Purgatory
Released: 1992
Label: Headhunter (HED #010)
Format: CD
"Nail Biter / Battery Licker"
1993
Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus
Released: 1993
Label: Sympathy for the Record Industry (SFTRI #396)
Entire album. Released as Sonny Vincent and Rocket from the Crypt.[IV]
2017
Yo Gabba Gabba! Hey!
Released: May 26, 2017
Label: DHX Music
Format: CD, LP, digital download
"He's a Chef"
^I Denotes songs that were re-released on All Systems Go 2.
^II Denotes songs that were re-released on All Systems Go 3.
^III "Flight of the Hobo" was also released on Circa: Now! +4 later the same year.
^IV Originally recorded in 2003 but never mixed or finished. The band, minus the horn section, serves as Vincent's backing band. Reis went back and mixed and completed the album in 2015.
