John Reis

John Reis
Reis performing with Hot Snakes in 2011
Background information
Birth name	John Reis
Also known as	Speedo, Slasher, The Swami
Born	1969 (age 47–48)
Origin	Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, United States
Genres	Punk rock, alternative rock, rock and roll, post-hardcore
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, DJ, bar owner
Instruments	Guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Cargo, Interscope, Swami, Vagrant
Associated acts	Conservative Itch, Pitchfork, Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Stacatto Reads, Back Off Cupids, Hot Snakes, Sultans, The Night Marchers
Website	www.swamirecords.com

John Reis (born 1969) and also known by the pseudonyms Speedo, Slasher, and The Swami is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted (as Speedo) for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005. Prior to this he was the guitarist in the post-hardcore band Pitchfork, and also played in Drive Like Jehu during the early 1990s. In 1999 he formed the Hot Snakes, and in 2000 also formed the Sultans, in which (as Slasher) he sang and originally played bass before switching to rhythm guitar. He played in both these bands until their breakups in 2005 and 2007 respectively. He also released a solo recording under the name Back Off Cupids, which was recorded in 1994 but not released until 1999. Over the years he has performed in many other musical acts including Conservative Itch, Stacatto Reads, Custom Floor, and Beehive & the Barracudas. He is the owner of Swami Records, a label he founded in 1999 (he uses the title The Swami in this capacity). He frequently works with bands in a studio capacity and releases albums by many southern California groups through his label. He also hosts the "Swami Sound System" program (previously on San Diego radio station 94.9 (KBZT), and now available on Slacker Radio). Reis remains an influential figure in the San Diego underground music community and is currently performing with a new band named The Night Marchers.

Reis was born in 1969 in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego to Portuguese American heritage.

Reis is married, and he and his wife had their first child in 2006.

Reis became involved in music in 1984, playing in a punk rock band called Conservative Itch at age 15. In 1986 he formed the post-hardcore group Pitchfork with friend Rick Froberg, in which he played until the group's dissolution in 1990. Following this he formed two new bands: Drive Like Jehu included Froberg and was the more experimental, exploring styles such as post-punk, post-hardcore, math rock, and early-1990s emo. Rocket from the Crypt, meanwhile, was envisioned as a more back-to-basics rock band and involved other San Diego-area musicians. Both groups released debut albums in 1991 through local labels Cargo Records and Headhunter Records. Rocket from the Crypt was soon re-invented as a punk-inspired rock & roll band with a horn section, developing a reputation for creative and energetic live shows. The group released many vinyl singles and put out their second album Circa: Now! in 1992. Reis' heavy involvement with Rocket from the Crypt sidelined Drive Like Jehu at this time, but both groups were soon signed to major label Interscope Records as a pair.