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www.churchonthursday.com
Rocket From The Crypt
Group Sounds
Vagrant Records
2001
Make way for the triumphant return of "the hardest
workin' band in show bidness!" The
quote was taken from the Rocket frontman John "Speedo" Reise during
the Van's Warped Tour circa 1996. The Rocket is finally free from the moral
corruptness and dehumanizing effect of major label Interscope Records. RFTC
broke free of the chains that bind many bands, signed with Vagrant Records,
and overcame the taxing search for a new drummer (Mario Rubalacaba) to find
new century bliss. (Note: I will miss Tiny Atom) This proves my long-standing
theory that no human force can keep the Rocket down!
In today's MTV music business it is hard to find a band that is both original and entertaining, not a mock version thought up by a choreographer and some behind-the-scenes svengali. I personally cherish each offering from the Rocket, and I love their overall vibe. What makes them powerful is their blend of musical styles and their Elvis/James Brown approach to entertaining their audience. Group Sounds is a new version of the old Rocket, and can best be described as the missing link between previous albums Scream, Dracula, Scream! and RFTC. Simply put, it kicks ass!
It escapes me how RFTC isn't known to everyone as the best band on earth. No band is like them and no band will ever be. Readers, I implore you to purchase this album and try to catch this band live. If you see Rocket in the flesh I can guarantee your life will not be the same. I have seen them twice and my life has been charmed since--days seem brighter, food tastes sweeter, and people are beautiful. You become one with the universe and enter into a state of enlightenment while listening to the message of the Rocket. It's like Buddha is walking with you as you attempt to travel the middle path.
If you are already a true fan of the Rocket, Group Sounds will not disappoint you. Even though the album is titled Group Sounds, it shouldn't be thought of as a version of the Beach Boys Pet Sounds--RFTC has tweaked their sound, but not enough to resurrect hippe counterculture. Yet a revolution may well be on its way because the album is filled with anthems that the kids can chant as they destroy the modern-day music machine. The following is only a guide to show you how to properly use these songs to change the world.
1. "Straight American Slave": Chant while you are at World Trade Organization protest.
2. "Carne Voodoo": Sing this at McDonald's in New Orleans because they don't serve human head flambe.
3. "Return of the Liar": Chant when the Democratic Party announces Hillary Clinton as their presidential candidate.
4. "Venom Venom": Chant this mantra while protesting MTV executives because their programming and choice of music and advertising is poison.
5. "Savoir Faire": Chant when a heroic American rebel dissolves the United Nations.
6. "This Check Is Gonna Stick": Chant only when you finally see the evil destruction of your local economy due to the World Bank.
7. "Dead Seed": Chant at your high school exit exam when you fail and have to repeat your senior year because you didn't learn how to read, write, or perform mathematical functions at a seventh grade level.
Don't blame me if you get into trouble. Stand up and fight for what is right, in the name of the Rocket! Long live the Rocket!
--Garren Hanon