By Matt Siblo
Few figures within the punk rock spectrum provoke more intense fandom than John Reis, one of the key string-pullers behind Rocket from the Crypt, Drive like Jehu, Hot Snakes and Swami Records. While each of his bands have a distinct sound, they all sport an age-old swagger—a hybrid of greaser machismo and rock ‘n’ roll theatrics—that few underground acts have matched.
Reis’ latest project, The Night Marchers, finds him reinventing high-definition rock one again; this time with former Hot Snakes brethren (bassist Gar Wood, now ramping up the rhythm guitar; drummer Jason Kourkounis) and bassist Thomas Kitsos. Since the band’s delayed debut (See You in Magic, Vagrant/Swami) finally saw the light of day in late April, self-titled caught up with Reis to discuss the finer points of running a record label, the Turkish psychedelic scene of the 1970s and just how much money it would take to get him to reunite with his old bands. Consider our financial audit already in progress
