Swami & the Bed of Nails, the new band formed by Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes frontman John Reis, hit the UK for a run of dates next week. The shows follow hot on the heels of the band's highly praised debut album All Of This Awaits You. The nine-song album evolved out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions, transforming into what Reis describes as “a growing tributary” following the passing of his longtime friend and bandmate Rick Froberg.
Reis said of the album’s creation, “I’ve never thought much of self reflection, at least not the deep kind. I dunno, I think I felt that kind of introspection would somehow derail my rock'n'roll instincts and objective. My goal has always been to make explosive music, exciting records, play meaningful shows, shake hands, kiss babies and then repeat. I never treated anything I did artistically as being precious. There is always going to be a next thing that I would hopefully love even more.”
Tour dates start on 17 September in Bristol, culminating at Oslo in Hackney, London on 28 September.
UK and Ireland Tour Dates
- 17 Sept - Bristol, Beacon
- 18 Sept - Manchester, Night & Day
- 20 Sept - Belfast, Ulster Sports Club
- 21 Sept - Dublin, The Workman’s Club
- 23 Sept - Glasgow, Broadcast
- 24 Sept - Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms Ballroom
- 25 Sept - Newcastle, The Cluny
- 26 Sept - Nottingham, Boat Club
- 28 Sept - London, Oslo
A Tribute to Rick Froberg
The band's debut album, All Of This Awaits You, was released last month via Swami/BMG. The San Diego quintet's album was born out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions, before the death, last July, of vocalist/guitarist Rick Froberg. The album was produced by John Reis and mixed by Ben Moore.
Reis spoke about the album, saying, “When Rick suddenly passed, I was completely heartbroken and shellshocked. The loss continues to be something I have trouble navigating. This record is the songs of that tributary. In November 2023, I decided to finish it and turn it into something. At the time I felt paralyzed and confused so I tried to un-paralyze myself by surrounding myself with friends, making something out of nothing, playing music which felt timely to me, and make plans. “The best plan seemed to consist of me jumping back on guitar, doing some yelling and singing, getting in the van and visiting the many villages and selling my wares.”
A New Chapter in Music
Swami & the Bed of Nails is rounded out by guitarist Mark Murino (Radio Wendy, Dirty Sweet), bassist Tommy Kitsos (Night Marchers) and drummers Jason Koukounis (Hot Snakes, Night Marchers) and Richard Larson. All Of This Awaits You is an immediate blast of joy intended to celebrate our time on Earth. It is nostalgia for a past that probably never happened. It is the hope that the future will consider embracing the innocence of rock ‘n’ roll. It is an idealized pursuit intended to elevate the status of the simplest pleasures and ridicule the unattractive lust of the unhindered ambitious. The music is a reenactment of the past lives of elderly teenagers returning once again to sustain their echo. All Of This Awaits You is punk rock music, but what that means is your guess as good as ours.
Don’t miss your chance to feel the force of this new chapter in John Reis’ musical journey up close and personal.
