All Systems Go
Encyclopedia
All Systems Go is a compilation album
by the San Diego, California rock
band Rocket from the Crypt
, released in 1993 by Cargo Records and Headhunter Records
. The album collects songs which were previously only available on 7" vinyl singles, as well as some new and unreleased material.
The first version of All Systems Go was a Japan
-only release in February 1993 intended as an introduction to the band to coincide with their Japanese tour, since most of their vinyl releases were not available in Japan. Because the Japanese CD
contained many rare songs previously only available on vinyl, imported copies began turning up at record stores in the United States
at exorbitant prices. Recognizing the desire of their American fanbase to get these songs on CD without paying expensive import fees, the band reworked the tracklist and released a different version of All Systems Go in the US containing tracks that were hard to find stateside.
In 1998 Sympathy for the Record Industry
re-released the US version of All Systems Go, making it widely available nationwide for the first time. The following year Rocket from the Crypt singer–guitarist John Reis
released a sequel compilation entitled All Systems Go 2 on his Swami Records
label. A third installment in the series was released in 2008.
These 3 songs are re-recordings of the songs "Kill the Funk (There Will Be No Funk in Outer Space)", "Bad Ninja", and "Goodbye", which appeared on the band's first 7" vinyl single Yum Kippered, released by the Italian label Helter Skelter Records in 1991. Due to a misunderstanding between Helter Skelter and the band's other label, Cargo/Headhunter
, the band were given very few copies of the record and had no control over the amount pressed or sold. Unsatisfied with the mastering job, the band re-recorded the first two tracks at Hit Single Studios in San Diego and the third track at Westbeach Recorders
in Los Angeles
, giving them slightly different titles. These versions were unreleased before their inclusion on All Systems Go.
These 3 songs originally appeared on the Boychucker 7" vinyl single released by Sympathy for the Record Industry
in June 1992. "Boychucker" and "Jumper K. Balls" were recorded by Anthony Arvizu at Mambo Recorders in Long Beach
. Reis states in the All Systems Go liner notes that the title "Jumper K. Balls" was inspired by a band named Venom P. Stinger. "Lefty" came from a recording session for Back Off Cupids
, a band in which Reis collaborated with future Rocket trumpeter JC 2000
in 1991.
These 4 songs originally appeared on the Normal Carpet Ride 7" vinyl single released by Sub Pop
in June 1992 as part of the Sub Pop Singles Club series. "Normal Carpet Ride" was recorded by Donnell Cameron
at Westbeach Recorders in Los Angeles
around the time the band recorded the Circa: Now!
album, and remixed for All Systems Go at Hit Single. "Where Are the Fuckers" and "Slumber Queen" were recorded at Mambo Recorders and were originally written by Reis at age 15 for his band Conservative Itch. "Flip the Bird" came from a Back Off Cupids recording session.
This song originally appeared on the Smells Like Grease for Peace split 7" vinyl single with Deadbolt
, released by Standard Recordings in October 1992. It was recorded at Mambo Recorders.
This song is one of 4 recorded for vinyl singles on Pusmort Records, but is the only one to appear on All Systems Go (the other 3 have not been released). These songs were at Westbeach Recorders before saxophonist Apollo 9
joined the band, and were the band's first recordings with drummer Atom. "Pressure's On" is a cover of the song by the Washington, DC hardcore band Red C. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go, but later appeared on a double split 7" with the band Bloodthirsty Butchers
in 1994.
These 2 songs originally appeared on the Both Good Songs 7" vinyl single released by Merge Records
in April 1993. Both songs were recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
These 2 songs originally appeared on the Pure Genius 7" vinyl single released by Drunken Fish Records in 1993. Both songs were recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
This song was recorded for a split 7" with Superchunk
which never materialized. It is a cover of the song by Adam and the Ants
. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go. It was recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
This is a re-recording of the song "Killy Kill" from the band's 1992 album Circa: Now!. The band re-recorded the song in 1993. It was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, and it was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go.
This is a semi-cover of the song "Chantilly Lace
", originally performed by The Big Bopper
. In this version the original song is played, with Reis responding to The Big Bopper's lyrics with his own and playing guitar over the chorus. Reis' vocals were recorded over the phone. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go.
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
by the San Diego, California rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
, released in 1993 by Cargo Records and Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
. The album collects songs which were previously only available on 7" vinyl singles, as well as some new and unreleased material.
The first version of All Systems Go was a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
-only release in February 1993 intended as an introduction to the band to coincide with their Japanese tour, since most of their vinyl releases were not available in Japan. Because the Japanese CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
contained many rare songs previously only available on vinyl, imported copies began turning up at record stores in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at exorbitant prices. Recognizing the desire of their American fanbase to get these songs on CD without paying expensive import fees, the band reworked the tracklist and released a different version of All Systems Go in the US containing tracks that were hard to find stateside.
In 1998 Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
re-released the US version of All Systems Go, making it widely available nationwide for the first time. The following year Rocket from the Crypt singer–guitarist John Reis
John Reis
John Reis 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 for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
released a sequel compilation entitled All Systems Go 2 on his Swami Records
Swami Records
Swami Records is a San Diego based independent record label specializing in punk rock, indie rock and garage rock that was founded in 2000 by John Reis...
label. A third installment in the series was released in 2008.
US version
- "Live the Funk"
- "Bad Song Ninja"
- "Goodbye"
- "Boychucker"
- "Jumper K. Balls"
- "Lefty"
- "Normal Carpet Ride"
- "Where Are the Fuckers"
- "Slumber Queen"
- "Flip the Bird"
- "Cha Cha Cha"
- "Pressure's On" (originally performed by Red C)
- "Pigeon Eater"
- "The Paste That You Love"
- "Pure Genius"
- "Lift and Love"
- "Press Darlings" (originally performed by Adam and the AntsAdam and the AntsAdam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
) - "Killy Kill Again'
- "Chantilly Face" (originally performed by The Big BopperThe Big BopperJiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. also commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star...
)
Japanese version
- "Pigeon Eater"
- "10 Forward"
- "Call it a Complex"
- "Goodbye"
- "Pure Genius"
- "Press Darlings" (originally performed by Adam and the AntsAdam and the AntsAdam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
) - "Killy Kill"
- "Pressure's On" (originally performed by Red C)
- "Where Are the Fuckers"
- "Slumber Queen"
- "Boychucker"
- "Jumper K. Balls"
- "Ballot Fire"
- "Cha Cha Cha"
- "Gold" (originally performed by MC5MC5The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
)
Performers
- Speedo (John ReisJohn ReisJohn Reis 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 for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
) - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, lead vocals - ND (Andy StametsAndy StametsAndy Stamets is an American guitarist notable as a member of Rocket from the Crypt, Beehive & the Barracudas, and the Sultans.-Musical career:...
) - guitar, backing vocals - Petey X (Pete Reichert) - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Apollo 9 (Paul O'BeirnePaul O'BeirnePaul O'Beirne is an American saxophonist notable as a member of Rocket from the Crypt.-Musical career:...
) - saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, backing vocals - Atom (Adam Willard) - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- K'londo - keyboards on "Goodbye"
Album information
- Record label:
- Japanese version: Toy's Factory Records
- original US release: Cargo Records/Headhunter RecordsHeadhunter RecordsHeadhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
- 1998 re-release: Sympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
- All songs written by Rocket from the Crypt except "Pressure's On" by Red C, "Press Darlings" by Adam and the AntsAdam and the AntsAdam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
, and "Chantilly Face" by the Big BopperThe Big BopperJiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. also commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star... - Tracks 4-16 were previously released on 7" vinyl singles (see Song Information below)
- Tracks 1-3 and 17-19 were unreleased prior to their inclusion on this album
Song information
- "Live the Funk"
- "Bad Song Ninja"
- "Goodbye"
These 3 songs are re-recordings of the songs "Kill the Funk (There Will Be No Funk in Outer Space)", "Bad Ninja", and "Goodbye", which appeared on the band's first 7" vinyl single Yum Kippered, released by the Italian label Helter Skelter Records in 1991. Due to a misunderstanding between Helter Skelter and the band's other label, Cargo/Headhunter
Headhunter Records
Headhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
, the band were given very few copies of the record and had no control over the amount pressed or sold. Unsatisfied with the mastering job, the band re-recorded the first two tracks at Hit Single Studios in San Diego and the third track at Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders is a recording studio in Hollywood, California famous for recording punk rock groups, such as Bad Religion, NOFX, Rancid, The Offspring and Pennywise. It was established in 1985 by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz and re-located to Hollywood, California in February 1987 and...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, giving them slightly different titles. These versions were unreleased before their inclusion on All Systems Go.
- "Boychucker"
- "Jumper K. Balls"
- "Lefty"
These 3 songs originally appeared on the Boychucker 7" vinyl single released by Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
in June 1992. "Boychucker" and "Jumper K. Balls" were recorded by Anthony Arvizu at Mambo Recorders in Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
. Reis states in the All Systems Go liner notes that the title "Jumper K. Balls" was inspired by a band named Venom P. Stinger. "Lefty" came from a recording session for Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids was the name of a solo musical project by the San Diego, California musician John Reis. The project took place in 1994, in between sessions with Reis' bands Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt horn players Jason Crane and Paul O'Beirne were also involved...
, a band in which Reis collaborated with future Rocket trumpeter JC 2000
Jason Crane
Jason Crane is an American drummer and trumpeter notable as a member of Rocket from the Crypt, The Black Heart Procession, and Beehive & the Barracudas.-Musical career:...
in 1991.
- "Normal Carpet Ride"
- "Where Are the Fuckers"
- "Slumber Queen"
- "Flip the Bird"
These 4 songs originally appeared on the Normal Carpet Ride 7" vinyl single released by Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
in June 1992 as part of the Sub Pop Singles Club series. "Normal Carpet Ride" was recorded by Donnell Cameron
Donnell Cameron
Donnell Cameron is a record producer, who is credited working with such artists as Sublime and Blink-182; as well as producing the Avenged Sevenfold album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. He is also the owner of Westbeach Recorders recording studio in Hollywood, California.-References:...
at Westbeach Recorders in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
around the time the band recorded the Circa: Now!
Circa: Now!
Circa: Now! is the second album by the San Diego, California rock band Rocket from the Crypt, released in 1992 by Cargo Music and Headhunter Records. It was the band's first album to include drummer Atom and saxophone player Apollo 9...
album, and remixed for All Systems Go at Hit Single. "Where Are the Fuckers" and "Slumber Queen" were recorded at Mambo Recorders and were originally written by Reis at age 15 for his band Conservative Itch. "Flip the Bird" came from a Back Off Cupids recording session.
- "Cha Cha Cha"
This song originally appeared on the Smells Like Grease for Peace split 7" vinyl single with Deadbolt
Deadbolt (band)
Deadbolt is a rock band from San Diego, California, U.S.A.. They describe themselves as "The Scariest Band in the World." The band often features two bass players, who are called "The Wall of Thunder."...
, released by Standard Recordings in October 1992. It was recorded at Mambo Recorders.
- "Pressure's On"
This song is one of 4 recorded for vinyl singles on Pusmort Records, but is the only one to appear on All Systems Go (the other 3 have not been released). These songs were at Westbeach Recorders before saxophonist Apollo 9
Paul O'Beirne
Paul O'Beirne is an American saxophonist notable as a member of Rocket from the Crypt.-Musical career:...
joined the band, and were the band's first recordings with drummer Atom. "Pressure's On" is a cover of the song by the Washington, DC hardcore band Red C. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go, but later appeared on a double split 7" with the band Bloodthirsty Butchers
Bloodthirsty Butchers
Bloodthirsty Butchers are a long-running indie rock and punk rock band from Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. Although little-known in the West, they have contributed to two compilations on the Olympia, Washington based Yoyo label. The band has also released a split single with Rocket from the Crypt and a...
in 1994.
- "Pigeon Eater"
- "The Paste That You Love"
These 2 songs originally appeared on the Both Good Songs 7" vinyl single released by Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
in April 1993. Both songs were recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
- "Pure Genius"
- "Lift and Love"
These 2 songs originally appeared on the Pure Genius 7" vinyl single released by Drunken Fish Records in 1993. Both songs were recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
- "Press Darlings"
This song was recorded for a split 7" with Superchunk
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
which never materialized. It is a cover of the song by Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go. It was recorded at Westbeach Recorders.
- "Killy Kill Again"
This is a re-recording of the song "Killy Kill" from the band's 1992 album Circa: Now!. The band re-recorded the song in 1993. It was recorded at Westbeach Recorders, and it was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go.
- "Chantilly Face"
This is a semi-cover of the song "Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace (song)
"Chantilly Lace" is the name of a rock and roll song, written and originally performed by The Big Bopper in 1958. The Co-writers of the song were Jerry Foster and Bill Rice...
", originally performed by The Big Bopper
The Big Bopper
Jiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. also commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star...
. In this version the original song is played, with Reis responding to The Big Bopper's lyrics with his own and playing guitar over the chorus. Reis' vocals were recorded over the phone. It was unreleased before its inclusion on All Systems Go.