“My goal has always been to make explosive music.” Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu legend John Reis announces UK and Ireland shows with new band Swami & the Bed of Nails

Swami & The Bed of Nails
(Image credit: Press)

Swami & the Bed of Nails featuring John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers and more) have announced their first ever tour of the UK and Ireland.

Born out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions, before the death, last July, of vocalist/guitarist Rick Froberg, the San Diego quintet's debut album, All Of This Awaits You, was released last month via Swami/BMG.

The band will play nine shows in the UK and Ireland to support the record.

Swami & the Bed of Nails UK/Ireland tour dates

Sep 17: Bristol, Beacon
Sep 18: Manchester, Night & Day
Sep 20: Belfast, Ulster Sports Club
Sep 21: Dublin The Workman’s Club, Ireland
Sep 23: Glasgow, Broadcast
Sep 24: Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms Ballroom
Sep 25: Newcastle, The Cluny
Sep 26: Nottingham, Boat Club
Sep 28: London, Oslo

Talking about the band's debut album last month, John Reis said, “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.”

The band's lineup 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.

Paul Brannigan
Contributing Editor, Louder

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne's private jet, played Angus Young's Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.