John Reis, known by the pseudonyms Speedo, Slasher, and the Swami is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey.
22 Facts About John Reis
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John Reis is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005.
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John Reis played in both these bands until their breakups in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
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John Reis released a solo recording under the name Back Off Cupids, which was recorded in 1994 but not released until 1999.
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John Reis is the owner of Swami Records, a label he founded in 1999.
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John Reis became involved in music in 1984, playing in a punk rock band called Conservative Itch at age 15.
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In 1994 Rocket from the Crypt took a six-month break while John Reis returned to work with Drive Like Jehu, recording the critically acclaimed album Yank Crime.
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In 1995, with little fanfare, Drive Like Jehu disbanded and John Reis resumed working with Rocket from the Crypt full time.
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In 1999 John Reis started the record label Swami Records, primarily as a means of releasing music by a number of San Diego-area bands including several he was involved with.
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John Reis formed two new bands: Sessions with drummer Jason Kourkounis resulted in the formation of Hot Snakes, while collaborations with drummer Tony Di Prima led to the formation of the Sultans.
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John Reis performed on and off with other bands including Stacatto Reads, Custom Floor, and Beehive and the Barracudas.
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John Reis continued to record and perform with Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, and the Sultans for the next several years, dividing his time between all three groups.
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In 2003 his younger brother Dean John Reis joined him in the Sultans.
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Rubalcaba became a member of all three of John Reis' bands, replacing Kourkounis in Hot Snakes in 2004 and Di Prima in the Sultans in 2006.
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John Reis then focused his attention on Swami Records, putting out numerous releases that Fall and Winter and organizing tours in support of the label.
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John Reis began hosting the "Swami Sound System" program on San Diego radio station 94.9 and continued to play with the Sultans occasionally until their disbanding in January 2007.
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John Reis continues to operate Swami Records and acts as a producer and occasional studio musician for various artists and releases on the label, while focusing on his new role as a father.
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John Reis constructed his own recording studio and opened a bar called The Bar Pink Elephant in San Diego's North Park district.
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John Reis continues to host the "Swami Sound System" program on San Diego radio station 94.9 on Saturday nights and is preparing several releases of rare and previously unreleased Rocket from the Crypt material.
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John Reis plays a recurring role on the television show Yo Gabba Gabba as the Music Swami, introducing each episode's musical guest.
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In 2015, John Reis produced American rock band Ceremony's fifth studio album, The L-Shaped Man.
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The album was originally recorded with Vincent in 2003 following a tour with Rocket from the Crypt serving as his backing band however the album was left unmixed and unfinished until twelve years later following the reunion of Rocket from the Crypt when John Reis decided to go back and complete the album, which he produced.