05/21/08
Text: Scott Homiak
Throughout a career that has spanned over twenty years, John Reis has gone by various alter egos, including Speedo, Slasher, and the Swami. (As for the former identity, he swears it’s “much more than a moniker. [Speedo] is skinny Alec Baldwin to John Reis' larger frame Alec Baldwin.”) None of these names, however, has prompted his devoted acolytes to call him anything less than awesome. With enough charisma for a dozen aliases, Reis reflects on his new band Night Marchers, the recent release of Rocket From The Crypt live material, and how to best impress your guests at a family gathering.
There's a new emphasis on sexuality in songs such as "Open Your Legs" and "Jump in the Fire", in contrast to the roughshod chivalry and condemnation of salacious louts in past work. Any significance to this newfound lustiness coming off the break up theme of [The Sultan’s] Shipwrecked?
Absence makes a hard grow harder. I am trying to relate to the everyday person, one [who] is perpetually horny for action and looking for ways to steal an ounce of self-gratification amidst a life of despair. When I ponder what it must be like for most of you from my beach chair, I often get so overwhelmed I have a hard time holding on to my margarita.
Does the release of Rocket's final show serve to cap off that “break-up” theme at all? Where do plans stand for similar self-processionals from Hot Snakes or the Sultans?
I haven't really thought about it but it is possible that with that closure the prospect of new beginnings have profoundly influenced my current rock ‘n roll. Hot Snakes have a recorded and filmed document in the wings that I'd like to share with people.
If I told you I had the Night Marchers' logo tattooed on my ass would you honor old traditions [of letting band-tattooed fans in free] if I came to the tour stop of my choosing?
We can talk about that off camera. I would need to inspect the wound for authenticity before I can commit to anything. And, much in the way of the Tijuana police, I can be persuaded if we both speak the same "language".
With Night Marchers, you’ve piped down a bit and let more elaborate melodies into the rumble. Could 1969 be calling a little louder in your current musical interests, or is it all just some cool, spooky shit?
It somehow makes sense to me, although an explanation might show massive holes in my reasoning or intentions. This whole thing is still marinating and developing into something—what, I don’t know, for sure. But, we have only spent a couple weeks together and I feel that things are making more sense everyday in regards to our identity. RFTC had melodies that would surface on occasion but the willingness to go there always existed. Hot Snakes for me was more about exploiting a singular path of guitar destruction. On this first Night Marchers record I had no choice but to get these feelings out of my head to make room. I'm excited to hear where this thing is gonna go from here.
In the way a young girl wishes for a pony, I've long held on to some kind of hope that one of your bands would play my wedding. Any chance in hell that could ever happen?
My dreams have come true and I'm sure yours can as well. I have done weddings before. They are especially worth it for the befuddled looks on the relatives’ faces.
