I was prepared for disappointment with this latest John Reis project. I'm not sure why, since I like Rocket From the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu, and adore the Hot Snakes.

Boy was I not! John does what I was afraid he'd do, which is really indulge that retro/swing tendency he has. It's just what I was glad that the Snakes DIDN'T do. But it works so damn well here. It's vicious, and clever, and dark. Also an extremely cool album title.

See You in Magic! It will be officially released this coming Tuesday, with no regard for sweetness and light.

Two questions - has anybody been able to find anything like the Snakes? I mean not retro, not contrived, not metal but still aggressive and scorching "hard-rock" music? I've found so few to equal them in that regard. None, really.

Also, uh. How do I edit my signature?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlackGravel,

quote:

Originally posted by BlackGravel:
Also, uh. How do I edit my signature?

Go to "Go" at the top left, under "Personal Zone" click on "Profile" and at the far right corner click on "View/Edit Complete Profile." You an edit your signature under "Public Profile Fields."

I made this one too, remember. It hasn't leaked in its entirety, but this album absolutely qualifies as exciting new music.

I hate all you terrible people. But here's a video of the Night Marchers anyway. Watch it, for shit's sake.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vPOiMmKaeyc&feature=related

I was just about to start this thread, if you hadn't already. I just started listening to the album, but it's exactly the kind of changeup I was looking for lately.

I'm not entirely won-over by this album yet, and my initial reaction was that it doesn't compare to "Suicide Invoice" [which it doesn't, but not much does in my opinion]

And to address the "Bands that sound like Hot Snakes" question:

If you haven't heard the first Reis/Froberg band Pitchfork, i recommend getting their discography album (it's called Eucalyptus i believe... and i think the word Saturn is in there somewhere too).

Also, get Icarus Line's first full-length "Mono," it's pretty heavy on the Jehu tip.

Clikatat Ikatowi came from the same San Diego "post-hardcore" scene and their drummer joined Hot Snakes for "Audit In Progress."

Ink & Dagger's Self-Titled is sort of Hot Snakes-ish maybe

Shellac's "1000 Hurts" and "At Action Park" share a similar pounding rhythm section as the Hot Snakes

The Wiper's "Youth Of America" pretty much laid the foundation for Hot Snakes

JR Ewing's "Ride Paranoia" sounds quite a bit like Jehu with some Refused thrown in for good measure.

Nation of Ulysses' "Plays Pretty for Baby" [I believe that's the name] is awesome and shares the kind of rockabilly/intensely percussive vibe that RFTC and Hot Snakes had.

That should work for now, my mind is drawing blanks at this point.

I believe I've heard everything Reis ever recorded; Back off Cupids (amazing! if it had become a real album, with Froberg maybe on vocals...jesus), the Sultans etc., but I really just don't think any of it comes close to the Snakes (SI might be their best, the other two are very close behind in my mind). Jehu was too prog mathy, Pitchfork was just kinda underdeveloped...it was cool but a little hokey at times and Froberg often sounds like Cedric Bixler (blecch). Reis was like thirteen goddamn years old when they recorded that shit.

I'm not familiar JR Ewing or Ink & Dagger. I might have to check them out.