Punk legend marches into Papa Pete’s

The Night Marchers, led by ex-Rocket from the Crypt frontman John Reis, descend on Kalamazoo for a rare show on Thursday night

By Allen Brewer
Western Herald

The originally reported cover charge was incorrect. Admission will be $10 at the door. The Western Herald apologizes for the inaccuracy.

John Reis, also known as Speedo, would like to invite you to a punk rock show.

The former Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes front man will perform with his new band, The Night Marchers, at Papa Pete’s on Thursday to promote the release of the band’s first album “See You In Magic” released last April.

The Night Marchers began to play together in 2008, after Reis’ last band, the Sultans, disbanded.

The band members include guitarist Gar Wood and drummer Jason Kourkounis, both alumni of Hot Snakes with Reis. Rounding out the group is bassist Tommy Kitsos of CPC Gangbangs.
Reis said that the Night Marchers’ sound is “hobobilly,” is a combination of all of his previous bands in a way.

“I’ve always been in a couple bands at a time but Night Marchers is my only one right now,” Reis said.

“The fact that it combines all of the sounds is not by design but a matter of circumstance.”

Reis took a much needed hiatus after the breakup of the Sultans to settle into his own hectic life.

“I built a music studio, had a baby, am the co-owner of a bar in San Diego where I’m also a radio DJ,” he said. “It was a lot of life changes.”
However, Reis began to feel restless without performing.

“I love music, my soul devours it,” he said. “I decided to continue the rock mission I started in 1969.”

All members of the Night Marchers use stage names. Reis is “Speedo” while Wood is “Dner,” Kourkounis is “Jsinclair” and Kitsos took “Skitsos.”

“Our goals weren’t very ambitious,” Reis said. “We wanted to make music we like, put down kick-ass rock and roll and it’s been a smashing success.”

Musically “See You In Magic” is all crunchy, chunky riffs and thundering drums backing up Reis’ howling vocals.

Now Reis and the rest of the Night Marchers are on another leg of a tour that included a Sunday stop at California’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, as well as more performances in Cleveland, Minneapolis and Milwaukee.

“We’re really excited for all of them,” Reis said.

“Places like Kalamazoo, Minneapolis and Cleveland are places that rockers usually don’t hit, but they’re fun.”

Reis might even have an underlying motive for wanting to visit the unconventional concert locations.

“I like to try different coffees and read the local newspapers,” he said.

“It’s a boost to my ego to eat the Mexican food because we have the best in San Diego and it’s good to get some reaffirmation.”

The show comes at the right time for students, at the tail end of finals week. Reis and company are looking to help them celebrate the end of the school year.

The Night Marchers will perform at Papa Pete’s on Thursday at 8 p.m. There will be a cover charge of $10.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Apr 20 2009. Filed under A & E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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