Rocket From the Crypt

Rocket from the Crypt is a band from San Diego, California.

Contents

Biography

Formed after the breakup of local band Pitchfork by frontman and lead singer John Reis (Speedo) in 1990. Named after 1970s underground punk band Rocket from the Tombs, they were originally conceived as a back-to-basics rock and roll band and produced their debut, Paint as a Fragrance in 1991.

The departure of two founding members soon after nearly led to the band's demise, but instead they become reinvented as a punk-inspired rock'n'roll band with a horn section with the arrival of saxophone player Apollo 9 . The band released many seven inch vinyl singles around this time and began to attract a dedicated underground following. Their second album, was released in 1992, and was re-released with four extra tracks in 2004.

The band signed to a major label, Interscope, in late 1992 and added a new member to the brass section, JC 2000 . Following a hiatus while Speedo worked with his other band, Drive Like Jehu, 1995 saw a flurry of activity with the release of several seven-inches, the EP The State of Art is on Fire , and the critically acclaimed album Hot Charity . This album was accompanied by a free tour around the U.S. They also released the Tattoo seven-inch, which was given to any fan with a RFTC tattoo anywhere on their body. In addition, anyone with a Rocket tattoo can get in free to any of their shows.

In 1995 the band released the excellent Scream, Dracula, Scream , named after a Wesley Willis song. Containing the hit single On A Rope, as well as other singles Born in '69 and Young Livers, the album began to get the band recognised on a wider stage. The following year saw a large headlining tour, supporting tours with Rancid and Soundgarden, and increased airplay.

Their fourth full length, RFTC , was released in 1998, and featured more of a 50's Greaser style than previous efforts. This was followed in 2001 by Group Sounds and the studio album Live from Camp X-Ray in 2002.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Year	Title	Label
1991	Paint as a Fragrance	Headhunter
1991		Headhunter
1993	All Systems Go	Headhunter
1995	The State of Art is on Fire	Sympathy for the Record Industry
1995	Hot Charity	Perfect Sound
1996	Scream, Dracula, Scream!	Interscope
1998	RFTC	Interscope
1999	All Systems Go II	Swami
1999	Cut Carefully and Play Loud	Flapping Jet
2001	Group Sounds	Vagrant
2002	Live from Camp X-Ray	Vagrant

External links

Official site