Scream, Dracula, Scream

Day 15 of Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Today I got another album from a band that I have never heard of. I’ve never heard a single song from the San Diego band, Rocket From The Crypt. The title of this album is Scream, Dracula Scream! Released in 1995, this was RFTC’s first major label recording. When I put on the first track, Middle, I was blown away with the energy and uptempo of the song. Surely, I thought, they can’t keep up with this throughout the record? Well, that’s exactly what they did. Scream, Dracula Scream! Keeps the pedal to the metal on all 14 songs. I can only imagine that being at one of their live shows would be a blast! The vocals of lead singer and guitarist Reis are aggressive, without screeching into my ears. The drummer, Sean Flynn, pounds away and gives the songs a serious back bone. Super talented drummer! Almost all of the band members lend backing vocals and the song Misbeaten shines because of it. (Maybe my favorite song by the way). Last but not least, they have horns beautifully blaring on all songs and I’m a sucker for that, really gives that 90’s Ska vibe. I really enjoyed all of the songs and had zero urges to skip any of them. Other songs that really need attention are Born In ’69, On a Rope, Come See Come Saw, and Fat Lip. Scream, Dracula Scream! Is filled to the brim with re-playability. If you want an album to pump you up, this will do the trick. It’s totally rad! One thing I like the most about this project, so far, is that some of the music is completely unknown to me, but becomes some of my favorites of the week. I must admit, I always get a little bummed and intimidated when I receive something totally unfamiliar, at first, but it can be so rewarding sometimes. Sure, I am excited to totally nerd out on albums that I know already like the back of my hand, and those albums will be fun to write about, but that’s not what this project is all about. It’s called Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, not re-listen to albums you’ve heard a gazillion times already and act like a Know It All… I’m having a blast! Please share your thoughts, opinions, and memories below. Even if that means shaming me for not knowing about this super dope band beforehand. Peace!

Thai album is so boring. The energy level is consistent and just palls. It is recorded and mixed in such a way that an individual track would pop when played on the radio as the best thing you heard that hour, but listening to the whole album is exhausting. I hate his whiny voice, which just seems like posturing. I hate the arrangements. there is no point. It generically 'rocks', but there is no real grit to it. I'm sure they put on a decent live show (and it seems like they do a lot of live gimmicks), but these songs bore and tire me. I give it a second star because it is energetic and decently recorded. Actually, I think Come See, Come Saw is just a a re-write of Know Your Product by the Saints. One star off for plagiarism of a far better song.

This wS a pretty underwhelming listen. Decent straight ahead rock and roll with a punk edge. Not sure why it should be on this list. I feel that the list should be reserved for albums that are either outstanding or influential and I don't think this either. 2.5 🌟

Sounds like the most generic 90’s punk rock ever, it’s very of it’s time. The singer has the typical snotty punk tone of a thousand punk rock singers before him. It’s basic and derivative and not special. I didn’t outright hate it, but I think a more impactful punk band should have their spot on the list.

one noted high school drop out punk rock band.

Why this atrocious mid-90s punk album could ever deserve a spot on this list is completely beyond me.

I had heard of RFTC but never listened. I didn’t realize the same guy formed this band and Drive Like Jehu. This is obviously up my alley. It’s got some ska vibes on a some songs, which is usually about the amount of ska I can handle. I would probably give it a 4.5 realistically. It is a little too long. I wish it was 11-12 songs rather than 14. I don’t know which songs I’d cut, though. I tend to prefer front halves of albums to back halves anyway, not sure why.

i mean it’s fine but i don’t know why it’s on this list

I screamed.

When this started, I thought, oh lord this is not what my frayed nerves need today. And I turned it off. Then I restarted and turned the volume down and it was much better. I completely missed this band at the time but I dig this punky, grungey (grungy?), alt-rock sound. (My spell check likes grungy but my eyes don't.) Reminds me of Faith No More, Soundgarden, Elvis Costello. Misbeaten sounds like The Beatles feat. Frankie Valli. I love On a Rope, Young Livers (yes!), Ball Lightning, Suit City, and Come See Come Saw. WOW! I love this!

I’m right on a 3. When this album hits, it hits pretty good – there are some genuinely energetic songs here that come together in complete harmony between the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation, and I’d say that comprises about half the album. The other half tends to hit on just one or two of the three, but never quite hits that perfect balance on all 3; sometimes, it’ll reach it briefly during one of the other 7 songs, but it never sustains it for long enough to really click like the other 7 do. I’ll say this – it never falters on the instrumentation. I especially love the usage of the horns here, giving everything a sort of Ska vibe that I think is kinda underrated. The mixing is… a bit suspect at times, with the guitar especially overwhelming almost every other instrument here on most of the songs, but I never thought it was that big of a deal. I mean, ultimately, it’s a fine album, but it’s just kind of underwhelming for an album to really peak around Track 6 or 7 and then kinda just walk its way to the finish line, you know? I felt less engaged by the halfway mark, and it just sort of wore me down by the end. There’s solid stuff here, and I’d imagine someone will stay engaged the whole way through, but it just doesn’t feel like I needed to listen to this before I die. It’s a solid 3, and that’s really about it.

In the middle of punk/ melodic hardcore revival of the mid nineties, these beasts popped up and showed us what concepts like punk or attitude really meant. Honestly, I still preferred 'Dookie' or 'SMASH' -and still do, but this one was a great companion, a well received and deserved fist in the face

The expeditions into genre territory like ska and surf are the most fun and also the best parts of the record. However, I have no taste at all for the (grungy?) vocal style and that is constant over far too long a time. I'm intrigued by some of the music and my take sweetened after the first two tracks. Please, people, lose the butt rock "growl".

Competent snotty chanting and surprisingly early-00's for the release date. But it's basically obsolete by design.

No. 181/1001 Middle 2/5 Born in '69 3/5 On A Rope 2/5 Young Livers 3/5 Drop Out 2/5 Used 3/5 Ball Lightning 3/5 Fat Lip 2/5 Suit City 2/5 Heater Hands 3/5 Misbeaten 2/5 Come See, Come Saw 2/5 Salt Future 2/5 Burnt Alive 2/5 Average: 2,36 Not for me.

completely forgettable american drivel.

So they pumped up their obnoxious sound with horn and string arrangements to make it even more obnoxious? Has no business on this list. I could think of several dozen albums from the era that could take its place. Would normally be 2 stars but I'm feeling crabby today and the shitty font choice and graphic design on the cover are pissing me off. At least Photoshop that grey speck out near the scorpion's right pincer.

I mean, it’s a serviceable post-punk, but so would be My Chemical Romance, or Ween, or hell….Devo. I am left severely-wanting in comparing this to what I’ve not seen on this list so far. Fair? Not really, but I have no direction that tells me I need to be fair.

Just lacks character. I don’t like this era of rock at all. Sounds like a garage jam band that wants to be edgy. Tried to find a redeeming song but couldn’t.

A thrill ride, like a rickety wooden rollercoaster hurtling at speed; driving rhythm section, stabbing horns, charismatic frontman; slick back you hair, rev up your motorcycle, pull on your leathers. Rock music like it should be done - get in, get out fast, look good whilst you do it.

Damn, what a fun album! Just packed with jams, I bet they would be a blast to see live

Well damn. This is a fine gem that I never knew about. It's like this album is perfectly situated at the crossroads of everything punk - what came before, and what came after. I was surprised to to get something that sounded so much like old school punk in the mid-90's (i.e. paralleling the development of pop-punk, without crossing over). And yet it also has those horns/sax to give it that ska feel without being a "college rock" album in the style of Reel Big Fish. And heck, there was even some noodling in there that spoke to the midwest emo/math rock sensiblities. Good listen.

This is a pretty good straightforward rocker. Sort of hard to date by listening - at times it sounds like 90s, sometimes like 70s, sometimes 80s. It's pretty standard as far as the music goes. I don't really dig the vocals so much but they aren't terrible. Tempo is pretty much the same all the way through which isn't really my favorite thing. Lyrics are pretty bad. Overall not a horrible album but probably a one and done for me. 2.5/5 rounding up because I actually do like some of the songs and it was well-played.

Solid 90’s alt-rock record. I’m not a huge fan of horns in rock music, but it mostly works here.

Hi-Octane rock and roll energy, hollering and whooping, cracking riffs and pounding drums, with the salsa piccante of a horn section. The sound of a rock and roll gang. They do rather run out of puff by Ball Lightning - the album is "front-loaded", with Born in 69 and On A Rope the best tracks by far, and there are several songs towards the end that are a bit lumpy - but it's still a refreshing blast!

This one didn’t click with me. The overuse of horns made most of the tracks way too busy. Nothing stood out riff/hook wise either.

Oh god American Garage Punk. really tried to give this a shot but I was cringing the entire time and had to turn it off as I hated so much.

I'm pretty sure I've listened to a song or two from them before and liked them and got upset because this is such a lame band name and album cover. I realize that is a massively dumb reason to not be into a band but here it is. Can an album be described as so bad it’s good. Because this album is HILARIOUS. Why’s the singer sound like that? It’s too bad to be considered good, but way too annoying to be considered interesting. The lyrics are just abysmal, when “you want some cheese with all that whine” is a hook treated with genuine sincerity you know you’re in for a trash fire. And then the instruments are so loud and dumb, and some of the riffs are so annoying. There are occasional glimpses of SOMETHING interesting, but god it’s so dumb. I love this album it’s so funny. 1/5

Strange mix of rockabilly music and instrumentation with vocals that tended towards metal.

How has it taken me 35 years to become a fan of these guys? Right up my alley!!

Very uplifting and energetic but also artful if you stop to listen more carefully. The lyrics don't really matter. There is even a song involving lightning (can you guess which other song about lighting I am thinking of)?

This is NOT what I assumed from the name and album art! I love that so many different songs remind me of other bands I like, but never all at once? One song sounds like Morphine, one song sounds like Sponge, one song sounds like Arctic Monkeys, Rancid, etc. On a Rope is an all-time great.

Perfect! I like this 'noise'!

I e heard of this band, but this is the first time I’m listening to them. I think I was expecting more psychobilly, but this is 90s rock with some horns in there. I dig these guys. Great album. I want to check out more of their stuff now.

It's kinda retarded I had never listened to this before. Good stuff

Blast back from the 90’s forgot how much I loved these guys at the time. Ball lightening very foo fighters - on a rope -classic!

Solid Stuff

Fun fact: these guys wrote a song for yo Gabba gabba. I knew a few songs from this album in advance - on a rope, dropout, and used. Listening to the whole thing, those songs are still the standouts, but the whole album has an energy that I love - specifically how the rhythm section drives it and is bolstered by the horns throughout. Bass clef represent! I love how the horns blend into the background at times, but add richness to the low tones. I’m probably being a star too generous, but I gotta respect when an album makes me move around and gets me amped!

Straight out of 1995. Good jams.

Summer of 69 and On a Rope don't get old. Love the horn section. It's a blast. Come see Come saw is basically Jumping Jack Flash, but hey the whole album is a gas gas gas.

Best finding so far... Imo

this was cool ... just like its name?

Chaotic punk glory

Rocket From the Crypt should have been huge. A punk rock band that thought they were a Stax soul revue. Scream, Dracula, Scream may be their best. Their major label debut is a very impressive, creative endeavor.

This was such a delightful surprise. Really enjoyed this one. Going to check out more from them for sure.

This is my second time with this album, and it really connected with me this time. Reminds me a lot of Less Than Jake, whom I will always love. Very fun album to come back to. Favorite track: On a Rope

Wow! I was not expecting a RFTC album to be on the list. I love the band as well as all things John "Speedo" Reis. I didn't know they got a lot of love outside of the punk scene. Anyway, this album is just rock n roll goodness. Very catchy, very fun. And those horns are just a cherry on top. You know when I was a young man I wondered if RFTC were a ska band. Ah, to be that naive again. This is probably a 4-4.5 max if I'm being honest but it gets a 5 for being so damn fun on this beautiful June day and for the overall career of the band.

meh

Why did I love this

Absolute rock and roll bliss, incredible energy, felt like I wanted to run a marathon and punch something at the same time

I absolutely love this album and band and the main mind behind it, John Reis. The riffs are powerful but also "groove" in the way old rock and roll does. The lyrics and vocal style is fun and hooky. And this is one of the first bands to ever show me that you could have horns in a rock band without it sounding like "ska" (the latter being a genre I've always dislike). Overall, critically, I might give this 4 stars, but it is 5 stars for me all the way.

I love it! Super rocky, a bit like an angry Eve 6. Listened to non-stop for days.

Didn't know those guys, that shit is dope

After some crappy albums I couldn't connect with, we get this one, which I absolutely adored. Such great energy! I feel like this album doesn't deserve to be on the list- but it is an absolute classic in my opinion "Used" was a really standout track.

Molt guapo 5/5

I get the criticism about it feeling slightly held back, but this is still a super album. I really enjoyed Drop Out, Ball Lightning, Heater Hands, and Misbeaten. One of those where you maybe have to be in the right mood to listen. Hovering between a 4 and 5, but I was in the right mood to listen. Punk music should sound "loud", and this does.

A thrill ride, like a rickety wooden rollercoaster hurtling at speed; driving rhythm section, stabbing horns, charismatic frontman; slick back you hair, rev up your motorcycle, pull on your leathers. Rock music like it should be done - get in, get out fast, look good whilst you do it.

A little one note tbh but between Born in 69 and On a Rope, they've made a classic

Excellent.

By far the best album on the list so far. Fell off a bit for me at the very end, but very solid throughout. Plus if its good enough for Yo, Gabba Gabba! Its good enough for me.

Oooh cover me in spazjazz and tickle my arse. We have a winner. Can I be unmasked? Will we ever know?

This album is fuckin’ FUN. Solid punk rock with some ska flavor sprinkled in to keep it interesting, I’d never heard of this band before and I’m glad I have now.

There’s something about this that I really like and I can’t figure it out

Loved the singles from this at the time, but I never had the album. They were so different to everyone else at the time, the kind of rock and roll Primal Scream road tripped, but with a hint of ska. Loses a bit of momentum after the first three tracks, but still one-of-a-kind.

Class record

Lang geleden dat er nog een verrassing te boven kwam. Deed me ook wat denken dat The Hives hier wat mosterd haalden

Fun, awesome punk rock. Really nice guitar riffs throughout and great instrumentals in general. I love the energy, it just goes and goes but without becoming same-y. I look forward to listening to more from this band soon.

excelente!! it was very moody and energetic

Punky and melodic, rancid vibes

Great punk music after the 80s is tough to come by, but this is great punk music. They’re using horns without skewing into ska, which is impressive in and of itself. Definitely an album and a band I will revisit. Atom Willard’s drums are a highlight, but he’s one of my favorite players so I may be a little biased here.

REALLY dig this album. Will give this another spin for sure.

Nice ride down memory lane. I remember when this album came out. It was like a punk version of the Blues Brothers. I absolutely loved the first three tracks, "Middle", "Born in '69", and "On a Rope" (and I still love them today). Unfortunately, after such a great start, everything after sounded quite underwhelming, to be honest. And it's still the case now for me, even though my music tastes have quite broadened since i was a teenager... That being said, I find the average grading of the participants in here extremely harsh. This is no essential listen, obviously, but it's still decent punk rock. So for once, I'm gonna give a 4/5 grade to an album I actually won't include in my own list. Trying to tip the karmic balance a little here, even if this won't change anything to the average grading... Number of albums left to review: 738 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 129 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 65 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 69 (including this one)

It Really suprised me this album… I had never heard about this band..

Härlig rock! Lite punkigt, lite rock'n'roll, lite blåsorkester. Påminner om Foo Fighters (eller tvärtom med tanke på åldern) - framför allt Ball Lightning.

I never gave this a shot because I hated how their name so clearly aped Rocket from the Tombs. But it’s nice solid well crafted mid-90’s alt rock. Crunchy and tasty.

Having never heard of this band or album, I was pleasantly surprised! 90s punk with quality songwriting and great horns throughout. Bit too long for this type of sound, but fans of Fucked Up or Titus Andronicus should absolutely check this out

Camp

Hmmm. This cover looks like a warning to listeners like me. Although that font draws me in. Dracula and a scorpion? Never mind that. Into the breach! The first two songs were a bit rough. Although the lyric “you only kick half an ass” interests me… Actually found myself enjoying “On A Rope”. Pretty sure I’ve have heard this song before. Really like “Young Livers”. The opening sounds almost festive! Are those bells? Is this a metal ska album? Those are some nice harmonies. What is happening? “Drop Out” is pretty good too. I’m not sure I can sustain the necessary energy for a whole album of this, but I’m liking some of this quite a bit more than I thought. “Used” is my favorite song yet. Throw in a sax and some orchestration and… bells?! This song is pretty great. “Ball Lightning” - ‘you want some cheese with your whine?’ Really liking this song too! Nice backing vocals! So glad to have pressed on in this journey. Enjoying some good 90s guitar work. Ok now we are on “Fat Lip”. I can barely take the verses. But I am liking the chorus. Rocket From Crypt is not making this easy… then again “fat lip learns slow.“ I started to notice some quality percussion in “Suit City” but it and “Heater Hands” feel like too much work for me to listen to. “Misbeaten” is a little more melodic and adds a horn section… and the backing vocals at the end are a pleasant surprise! Love the ending! “Come See, Come Saw”... Horn forward with a pun title? Guitar solo at the end? Temptations-style backing vocals?! Yes, please! This might be my favorite track. “Salt Future” takes it down a notch. A song about Salt Lake? Well it probably won’t be embraced as the city’s unofficial song but there are those harmonies again. “Burn Alive” ends with a high production value song that I warmed up to as it progressed. Listened to this three times now and, while there’s three or four tracks I’ll likely keep skipping, I’ve added this to my library and will be listening to this again. I did not expect this to be the case at all…There’s variety, cleverness and quality musicianship throughout the album. A genuine surprise to me!

Interesting album, enjoyed the energy

I wasn't sure what to expect here, but I loved this. Really strong energy, driving, catchy songs with just the right amount of chaos. The horns were a nice touch. Overall, this reminded me a little of my favorite band, The Replacements. Will definitely listen again and check out more of their stuff. 4 stars.

I didn't recognise the name of this band or album, but when "ONAROPE, ONAROPE, GOT ME HANGIN ONAROPE", kicked in I remembered it instantly! I don't think I knew any of the other songs so was excited to check the rest of the album out. I enjoyed it overall, especially the energy and the brass section, which was great throughout. At first I thought the vocals were a bit too pirate-y, but they grew on me. I do think it feels like it loses steam towards the end, so perhaps 50 mins is a bit too long for a punk album. Maybe the last few songs will grow on me too though. Overall, a nice surprise which I see myself listening to again. It's interesting reading through some of the negative reviews on the more unusual albums on the list. It's seems like people were expecting this to be 1001 CLASSIC ROCK Albums to Hear Before You Die. Broaden your horizons, people! Albums like this are why I'm here. 8/10

I got such hyped with this. That's how I imagine classic rock music. Definitely I will listen it again. However I don't think it's something special for 5.

This was just a FUN album that i could really easily get into and carries the energy through the whole thing. Little sinister, little horny, little vibey. 4/5

Whoa I really like this! The lead singer sounds so familiar. Does he sound like the NOFX singer a bit?

This album has me with a smile on my face, especially with the ska sections. I don't love how the lead singer sounds, but the grooves are punk and chunky.

Punk 'n roll!

Nicee

A good punk album Raucous yet palatable, would listen again

More fun than I was expecting, a bit of ska in there. I didn’t realise they did On a Rope.

Good punk rock (maybe pop-punk?). It's so whiny that if they made it today you'd be certain it was ironic, but in the 90's, who could really tell? I wasn't sure about this album the first time around but sat on it for a while and gave it another spin and felt a bit better about it second time. I give it 4/5, but only barely, it's right on the edge of being a 3.

Dug it!!! So cool, the sound is right up my alley (horns, ska influence)

Really liked On a Rope. A very repetitive song but not long enough for it to be a problem haha.

Took some time to warm up to, not the best start to an album, almost threw me up. But as it went through it became more enjoyable.

The drums on this album are crazy This is definitely one of our better punk albums THE HORNS ON THIS WHAT Enjoying so far Born in '69 is a great song The cover is gross but the music sounds cool The vocals arent great but the instrumentals definitely make up for it 7/10

Honestly a pretty fun punk album for me.

Links 90s hardcore punk to the heartland punk of the aughts (Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, etc.) Maybe it's the horns?

Pretty good! Fun 90's punk.

lowkey really liked this one, i was vibing. 8/10

Dont care much for his voice, but the music was actually really solid. Favorite tracks: “Young Livers,” “Fat Lip,” and “Salt Future”

Great punk. Better than most of Nirvana's catalog.