Cult & Culture Podcast Episode 28 feat. John Reis of Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes
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- Опубліковано 16 сер 2023
- On this episode of Cult and Culture, Luke and Justin speak with prolific San Diego musician John Reis of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Rocket from the Crypt, Plosivs and more. They discuss the idea of speaking through an instrument, trying to play every show with the goal of making it feel like the only place in the world someone would want to be, experiencing the chaos of a live GG Allin show, playing with both Fugazi and Danzig in short succession, and the formation of some of Reis's iconic bands. Reeling from the recent loss of long time best friend and musical collaborator Rick Froberg, John also talks about loss, legacy, and the final music the two made together in Hot Snakes.
The concept of Cult and Culture began as a short segment created by Justin Pearson, an internationally known musician, record label owner (Three One G Records), author, and actor. He is perhaps best known as bassist for bands such as Dead Cross, The Locust, and Some Girls as well as vocalist for Deaf Club, Swing Kids, and Planet B. Having traveled the world touring in hardcore and punk bands since age 15, Justin has come to know and work with a broad spectrum of captivating personalities and brilliant minds, many of which are key figures in the realm of popular culture and cult followings alike-- from being on the soundtrack to John Waters’ Cecil B. Demented, to acting in an Asia Argento’s Incompresa, to playing in Dead Cross with Mike Patton and Dave Lombardo. Cult and Culture arose as an opportunity to document bits and pieces of the DIY-driven, subversive world of art Pearson identifies with- one that many are not aware of or perhaps have misconceptions about.
Eventually, Pearson joined up with producer and bandmate Luke Henshaw (Sonido De La Frontera, Planet B, Satanic Planet, First Power Crew) to build the idea into a proper podcast, now recorded at his own PengOne Studios in San Diego. Henshaw has collaborated with hip hop legends such as Invisible Skratch Piklz’ D-Styles and Q-Bert, Kool Keith, in addition to being immersed in the world of Cumbia alongside Sonido De La Frontera bandmate Karlos Paez (B Side Players). He also recently scored the music for upcoming documentary Sk8face, which tells the history of skateboard graphics. In this way, both Justin and Luke are influenced by a diverse array of subcultures that all have connected roots. John Waters was one of the first people interviewed for the podcast- an icon of both cult and culture. Since then, guests have included a broad scope of musicians, producers, authors, and anyone passionate about what they do-- anyone from Grammy-winning musician Juan Alderete (Mars Volta, Racer X, creator of Pedals And Effects) to actor Michael Malarkey (Vampire Diaries, Project Bluebook), from San Diego Black Panther Party members to longtime partners Nicola and Adam in electro-punk band ADULT. or The Satanic Temple cofounder Lucien Greaves (who would go on to form Satanic Planet with Luke and Justin as a direct result of their podcast conversation). The focus is not intended to be solely on people in any one realm, and because guests are friends and family, the conversations are frank, informal yet well-informed, and genuine. Pearson and Henshaw seek to achieve a casual openness, blurring lines between traditional guest and host. Cult and Culture is available on iTunes and SoundCloud and new episodes will be premiering on Brooklyn Vegan. You can find the latest episode premiere here. Links to the previous podcasts are below.
Catch up on all episodes of Cult and Culture podcast, via iTunes, or through Three One G’s Soundcloud.
soundcloud.com/threeoneg/sets/cult-and-culture-podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cult-and-culture/id1232084207
Video edited by Displaced/ Replaced.
So great to hear from John. RIP Rick. Downstroke Warlords forever.
"There's nothing more fun than being kick ass" Best quote ever!
Fantastic interview, Swami is such a legend. Once went back to bar Bloc in Glasgow after a Hot Snakes show and the band walked in, at some point through the night I plucked up the courage to tell John how much I love his work and how much his guitar playing has influenced me. Theres a small dance floor in the place and there's a DJ playing rock n roll tunes, John just smiles and says "lets dance", he puts his arm round me and we walk towards the dance floor and danced together until the song finished, then he shook my hand and returned back to the table with the rest of the band.
my heart goes out to John, and all of Rick's friends and family. Rest in peace Rick and thank you for doing this.
I’ve been saying for years that John Reis is to the San Diego music scene what Tony Gwynn is to San Diego Baseball. Legend. Needs a statue outside The Casbah. What a gut punch it was losing Rick Froberg. A Master shredder and unique vocalist. I was able to catch Hot Snakes for the Jericho Sirens tour and wow what a great band.
This is a full-on incredible interview by Justin and John is just John and perfect as usual. We all miss Rick. He might not have liked "Legacy"... but he left one hell of a great one...and he should know that somewhere.
What is grosser than ambition. Best quote. Philosophy for the win. ❤
Jon Reis deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and probably 3 of his bands.. I mean should be first ballots.
John is a legend, thanks for the interview!
This is awesome . Been a Swami fan since ‘94 , great interview , great to hear him talk like this , in this format . RIck Froberg forever . 🔥🐍
John, thanks for such a thoughtful conversation about the timeline we all shared.
Paint as a fragrance was the best damn thing that happened to me as a small town punk trying to find my way... Scream Dracula Scream is still one of my top 3 favorite albums. Rocket is my peace, thanks John.
Amazing interview. Love John Reis. Rest in peace Rick. I feel so lucky that I got to see Hot Snakes play live in 2019 even though I live in Finland.
Brilliant interview. Love John so much. Sweet Metz T shirt, by the way! Great vibes all around.
What a great insightful interview. Though I'm not from there, I love the bond San Diego folk have.
Such a great interview. Saw Rocket the first time at World Beat Center. They opened with Middle\Born long before Scream Dracula Scream came out, and they absolutely slayed it! They were the best!!
Thanks so much for posting this interview. I haven't been able to listen to any of Rick's music since I heard the terrible news of his passing until yesterday. I still can't wrap my head around the notion that he's gone. For me there was so much life in his art, and I guess I never really thought I would outlast Rick. Does anyone really ever think that their heroes will die? There are cliches about people living on through the art they leave behind. I am happy to report that I really can't stay down with a Froberg record on. It still has the power to grab you by the collar and yank you upright. I think that's also part of his legacy. It doesn't matter how angry the lyrics and music are, there's a joy to every note. John is a brave man to even try to convey his loss before it's had time to really feel like Rick is gone. I lost an aunt and uncle that were more like my parents than my actual parents recently. My uncle passed a few days before Thanksgiving (2023) and my Aunt followed in January (2024). After the initial shock it just seemed impossible that they both are really gone, so I know what what he means about Rick not feeling gone. It's so horrible your mind doesn't know what to do with it. When someone mentions it feels like you're body might literally jump out of your skin. Those that we can't even remember living without are very hard to accept. Thank you Rick and John. You made and left behind music that those lucky enough to hear and understand will always carry as part of themselves.Thank you so much for that.
First saw Rocket from the Crypt at the long ago closed Empire club in San Diego in 1999. I was 16 and his music brings back lots of great memories growing up in SD.
Thanks for doing this.
Loved watching this! I sincerely miss Rick and have been lucky enough to count all of you guys as acquaintances and friends, as well as being amongst my heroes. I wish I had sage insight or words regarding loss, but there's nothing to offer other than I find that pushing forward is always the best way to honor those you love. It's also always cool to hear each of your takes on playing music, influences, our local scene, and sheer creativity in general.