Group
Rocket From the Crypt
- From
- San Diego, United States
- Active
- 1989–2005
- Rating
- ★ 5
- Releases
- 60
- punk rock
- garage rock
- punk
About
Rocket from the Crypt is an American punk rock band from San Diego, California, formed by singer-guitarist John Reis and originally active from 1990 to 2005, briefly in 2011, and again from 2013 to the present.
Read more
The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope Records. They experienced a surge of popularity with the release of the albums Scream, Dracula, Scream! (1995) and RFTC (1998), accompanied by numerous vinyl singles and EPs released on independent labels. However, album sales did not meet expectations and Interscope soon turned their attention to higher-grossing acts. The band left the label, and shortly thereafter drummer Atom Willard departed the group. After a period of inactivity in 1999 and 2000, during which singer/guitarist John Reis formed Hot Snakes and Sultans and launched his Swami Records label, the band signed to Vagrant Records and recruited new drummer Ruby Mars. They experienced a revitalization of creative energy and released two more albums, but were not as prolific as in the past.
Over the next few years the band members became increasingly involved with other projects. Rocket from the Crypt decided to disband in 2005, playing a sold-out farewell show on Halloween in their hometown of San Diego. However, the band reunited in 2011 for a one-off appearance on the television program Yo Gabba Gabba!, and in 2013 reformed once more for a series of performances in the US, Europe and Australia.
Rocket From the Crypt have had a significant impact on alternative music, being cited as an influence by such bands as Jimmy Eat World, the Get Up Kids, and Unbroken.
Members
-
ND background vocals, guitar
-
Speedo electric guitar, lead vocals
-
Petey X background vocals, bass guitar
-
Atom drums (drum set), membranophone
-
Apollo 9 background vocals, saxophone
-
JC 2000 background vocals, trumpet
-
Ruby Mars membranophone
-
Sean Flynn drums (drum set)
-
Elaina Torres background vocals
Discography
Albums
EPs
Singles
-
Return to Monkey Island
-
Don't Drop the Baby
-
In League With Satan
-
Spinning Round
-
My Blues Away
-
Shy Fly
-
Baker Street
-
Love Is Lies
-
On the Prowl / Come On
-
Free Language Demons / Up on the Roof
-
Dancing Birds
-
Delorean / Crimson Ballroom
-
Break It Up
-
Lumps
-
When in Rome (Do the Jerk!)
-
Cheetah
-
Lipstick Apple Music
-
Young Livers
-
Born in ’69
-
In The White Room (With Black Curtains)
-
Rocket From the Crypt Plays The Music Machine
-
On a Rope
-
I Flame You
-
Tattoo
-
Burn Mouth Off Liar With Punk Heat Blast
-
Death in the Family / Call It a Complex
-
Super Ride 45
-
Sturdy Wrists
-
Pure Genius
-
Both Good Songs
-
Ghetto-Box Rock
-
Yum Kippered
-
Smells Like Grease For Peace
-
Boychucker
-
Normal Carpet Ride
-
Gold
-
Rocket Pack
Links
Listen
Official
Concerts
Buy
Instrumental supporting musician
Also known as
RFTC
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- e297ecdf-64ec-4e34-899d-80380f5b0c2a
- ISNI
- 0000000121758687
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 10 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.