Ghost Ship (album)
Encyclopedia
Ghost Ship is the first album by the San Diego, California
, rock and roll
band Sultans, released in 2000 by Swami Records
. Both the band and the album began as "side projects" for John Reis
during time off from his main band, Rocket from the Crypt
. Tthis was also the time at which Reis formed Hot Snakes
. Reis collaborated with drummer Tony Di Prima, bringing in Rocket From the Crypt guitarist Andy Stamets
while Reis himelf played the bass guitar
(he is normally known as a guitarist). The band chose the name Sultans for the project and recorded an introductory EP and Ghost Ship, both of which were released that year on Reis' newly formed Swami label. As Reis has a tradition of using different stage names or pseudonyms in his various projects, he chose to be known as "Slasher" in the Sultans, while Stamets chose the nickname "Black Flame".
According to the album's liner notes, Ghost Ship was recorded using pre-used tape and mastered onto a pre-used digital audio tape
, with all songs recorded in three takes or fewer and all seven channels tracked directly to tape in a live manner. The notes state that no money was spent on the recording equipment or process. Reis has a propensity for exaggeration and fabrication when describing his musical endeavors, often "dressing up" the truth in favor of telling an interesting story. That said, it is well-known that the Sultans preferred a much more stripped-down, raw and direct approach to recording and playing than most of Reis' other projects, opting for minimal effects, studio tweaking or mixing adjustments.
Touring in support of Ghost Ship was limited due to the members' commitments to their other bands. They were able to play several shows in the San Diego area. Reis also toured sporadically with Hot Snakes at this time before he and Stamets resumed working full-time with Rocket From the Crypt. Later tours in support of their second album, Shipwrecked
, were more extensive.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band Sultans, released in 2000 by 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...
. Both the band and the album began as "side projects" for 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...
during time off from his main 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...
. Tthis was also the time at which Reis formed Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
. Reis collaborated with drummer Tony Di Prima, bringing in Rocket From the Crypt guitarist Andy Stamets
Andy Stamets
Andy Stamets is an American guitarist notable as a member of Rocket from the Crypt, Beehive & the Barracudas, and the Sultans.-Musical career:...
while Reis himelf played the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(he is normally known as a guitarist). The band chose the name Sultans for the project and recorded an introductory EP and Ghost Ship, both of which were released that year on Reis' newly formed Swami label. As Reis has a tradition of using different stage names or pseudonyms in his various projects, he chose to be known as "Slasher" in the Sultans, while Stamets chose the nickname "Black Flame".
According to the album's liner notes, Ghost Ship was recorded using pre-used tape and mastered onto a pre-used digital audio tape
Digital Audio Tape
Digital Audio Tape is a signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony and introduced in 1987. In appearance it is similar to a compact audio cassette, using 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed in a protective shell, but is roughly half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm. As...
, with all songs recorded in three takes or fewer and all seven channels tracked directly to tape in a live manner. The notes state that no money was spent on the recording equipment or process. Reis has a propensity for exaggeration and fabrication when describing his musical endeavors, often "dressing up" the truth in favor of telling an interesting story. That said, it is well-known that the Sultans preferred a much more stripped-down, raw and direct approach to recording and playing than most of Reis' other projects, opting for minimal effects, studio tweaking or mixing adjustments.
Touring in support of Ghost Ship was limited due to the members' commitments to their other bands. They were able to play several shows in the San Diego area. Reis also toured sporadically with Hot Snakes at this time before he and Stamets resumed working full-time with Rocket From the Crypt. Later tours in support of their second album, Shipwrecked
Shipwrecked (album)
Shipwrecked is the second and final album by the San Diego, California rock and roll band Sultans, released in 2004 by Swami Records. When the band reconvened to record the album in November 2003, original guitarist Andy Stamets chose not to rejoin the group...
, were more extensive.
Track listing
- "Just a Fool (That's Down)" - 2:33
- "Hold You Down" - 1:35
- "Heartbreaker" - 1:21
- "Shakedown" - 1:32
- "Put Up a Fight" - 1:33
- "Trust No One" - 1:34
- "It's Over" - 1:36
- "My Sights Are Low" - 1:14
- "Chances Are" - 1:49
- "(This Ain't No) Solid State" - 1:55
- "Your Mouth is Open and Your Eyes Are Shut" - 1:18
- "The Year of Regret" - 1:54
- "All City Warning" - 1:18
Performers
- Slasher (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...
) - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals - Black Flame (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:...
) - 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...
, backing vocals - Tony Di Prima - 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 ....
, backing vocals - Dean Reis - backing vocals
Album information
- Record label:Swami RecordsSwami RecordsSwami 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...
- Recorded at Drag Racist Recorders in San Diego
- Produced by John Reis
- Mastered by Rafter
- All songs published by Mr. Buttermaker Painting
- Artwork by Van