Rocket from the Crypt: Biography

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• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

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• Drive Like Jehu
• Pussy Galore
• The Delta 72
• The Humpers
• Royal Trux
• New Bomb Turks
• Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

• Pixies
• The Replacements
• Hüsker Dü
• Social Distortion
• Dead Boys
• Jawbreaker
• The Cramps

• Jimmy Eat World
• Cougars
• Jaws
• Union 69
• The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere!)
• Black Cougar Shock Unit
• I Walk the Line

• Apollo 9
• Hot Snakes
• Angels & Airwaves
• Sinclair
• Back off Cupids
• The Night Marchers
• Special Goodness

Formed:

Jan 1, 1990 in San Diego, CA

Disbanded:

Oct 31, 2005 in San Diego, CA

Genres:

Rock Music, Alternative Rock Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Ratings Guide

Pledging to never play a venue with a stage, singer/guitarist John Reis formed San Diego's Rocket From the Crypt in the summer of 1990 after becoming disillusioned with the hardcore punk band he was in called Pitchfork. Joining with then-current Rocketeers bassist Petey X and guitarist ND, in addition to departed drummer Sean and backing vocalist Elaina, Reis and company released Paint As a Fragrance in 1991.

Though the album caused a lot of people to take notice, a lineup change ensued; Atom became the drummer, and Apollo 9, a drinking buddy of Reis' who played sax in high school, joined as saxophonist. After the successful independent Circa: Now was released on Cargo Records in 1992, a major-label bidding war resulted in Rocket From the Crypt signing with Interscope Records (in addition to Reis' other band, Drive Like Jehu, which features another former Pitchfork member, Rick Fork). Interscope then re-released Circa: Now in 1993, and the single "Ditch Digger" spent some time in MTV's Buzz Bin. Eventually, a sixth member -- JC 2000 on horn -- was added in 1994, which preceded the release of a new 10" record, The State of Art Is on Fire, in 1995. By the end of the year, the group released its most-acclaimed album to date, Scream, Dracula, Scream. RFTC followed in 1998, and Group Sounds was issued on Vagrant in early 2001. Rocket From the Crypt was a rock roll machine throughout the early 2000's. Their garage punk style was as fresh as those following the punk revival trend. In 2002, Rocket From the Crypt emerged with the raucous, rowdy sounds of Live From Camp X-Ray.

- Matt Carlson, All Music Guide