John “Speedo” Reis has been in hiding for a while. This makes some people anxious. The man has become something of a rock and roll guru. Picture the turbaned Swami Records logo and the Reis aesthetic comes instantly to mind. Lending his sleek garage riff skills to both the exploratory Drive Like Jehu, and the more minimalist Hot Snakes, as well as his characteristic hoarse vocals to the nearly legendary Rocket From the Crypt, Reis has become something of an icon. Coupled with his creation of Swami Records (home to Hot Snakes, Dan Sartain, The Marked Men) he has created a distinctive taste; that is all things analog, sweaty, vaguely-vintage and decidedly unpretentious.
In comes the Night Marchers, his first appearance since the Hot Snakes tragically disbanded in 2005. At this point it would be impossible to judge the Night Marchers with impartiality to their members past. Featuring the original Hot Snakes rhythm section, the band reignites the Snakes scratchy sense of presicion. Likewise, Reis brings his same blaring sense of melody to the mic that created so many ready-made singalongs in the Rocket days.
At times like “I Wanna Dead Beat You” it’s not hard to imagine what the Rocket horn section would do with it. The shuffle beat on “Branded” seems like a left over from the Hot Snakes-Audit In Progress, the only thing that is missing is Rick Froberg’s subdued shouts. Like both groups the songs are air-tight compositions with a minimum of wankery. In fact, at first glance the record seems nothing more than par-for-the-course, which isn’t a shame considering the band’s pedigree.
On second listen a bit more stands out. “You’ve Got Nerve” has a much more subdued R&B feeling than anything in Reis’s contribution to the Swami catalog. The intro riff to “Jump Into the Fire” is pure sixties jangle and when the tune takes off the melodic drone of the guitars is shockingly reminiscent of Sonic Youth.
On songs like “Open Your Legs” Reis experiments lyrically with a depraved sense of sexuality. The results are a little unnerving. Whereas much of his word-smithing is 1950’s style romance gone-wrong, or fist pumping abstractions (an achievement in itself), “Open Your Legs” has a unique quality of preventing the sing-along. When the chorus comes up it gets stuck in your throat. Just a little too creepy. If anything, its nice that he can still create a sense of danger at nearly 40, but the lyrical cocks are best left to Nick Cave.
Overall See You In Magic is solid and promising. Like anything else these guys do it will only get better.
***1/2
Live at the Larimer Lounge
Live the band’s tunes are just as precise only a bit sweatier and more visceral. Drummer Jason Kourkounis earned stares for his effortless power and accuracy as the band pumps some of its frenzy up to break-neck pace. Reis navigated through banter with a funny sense of sarcasm. Often toasting his whisky glass and satirically demanding more applause for the band who is “working so hard up here.” He tosses off frontman cliches with a knowing grin. The music however, was all business and the crowd couldn’t help but engage.
