Hot Snakes

Hot Snakes
Left to right: Froberg, Wood, Kourkounis, and Reis in 2011
Left to right: Froberg, Wood, Kourkounis, and Reis in 2011
Background information
OriginSan Diego, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1999–2005
  • 2011–2023
Labels
Spinoff of
Past membersRick Froberg
John Reis
Gar Wood
Jason Kourkounis
Mario Rubalcaba
Websitehotsnakes.com

Hot Snakes were an American rock[1][2] band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis found international success with Rocket from the Crypt. Hot Snakes disbanded in 2005 but reunited in 2011, remaining active until Froberg's death in 2023.

Although they shared musical similarities with members' previous outfits, Hot Snakes forged a sound that was much more primal than that of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu or Rocket from the Crypt. Reis and Froberg were also heavily influenced by bands such as The Wipers, Suicide, and the Michael Yonkers Band, with these influences giving Hot Snakes a distinctive sound that has been described by PunkNews as "hardcore garage punk."[3] The band's recordings and merchandise were produced using principles of DIY, with Froberg providing all of the artwork and Reis releasing the material via his Swami Records label.

  1. ^ "Hutch Harris: The Thermals Guest List: 2000s Edition". Pitchfork Media. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2010-10-13. [...] No two men have done more for post-hardcore rock than Froberg and Reis, and I would even go so far as to say Hot Snakes is so far their finest hour, in dueling careers that include many other incredible bands (Rocket From The Crypt, Obits, Night Marchers, etc.) [...]
  2. ^ Schild, Matt. "Hot Snakes - Suicide Invoice". Aversion.com. Retrieved 2010-10-13. [...] Sure, the band, which includes members of Rocket From the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu, has a pretty nice take on angular post-hardcore, but, really, who doesn't these days?) [...]
  3. ^ "Hot Snakes - Thunder Down Under". Punknews.org. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2018.