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 in the project, though the vast majority of the recording was conducted by Reis. Recording took place with friend and fellow musician Gar Wood in his garage.
Back Off Cupids | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock and roll, post punk |
| Years active | 1994, 1999 |
| Labels | Drunken Fish |
| Past members | John Reis Jason Crane Paul O'Beirne |
The music produced by Back Off Cupids was significantly different from Reis' other musical endeavors. While his previous groups had explored genres such as rock and roll, post punk, and post-hardcore in an aggressive fashion, Back Off Cupids was slower, mostly instrumental, and to a certain degree free-form. It most closely resembles Drive Like Jehu in its complexity and intricate song structures, but lacks the aggression and raspy vocals of that group.
Recording of the Back Off Cupids material was completed in 1994, but with the exception of a few songs that appeared on compilations it remained mostly unreleased for several years. Reis left the material shelved for the most part, occasionally mixing and tweaking the arrangements in between touring and recording with Rocket from the Crypt. In 1999, during a period in which Rocket from the Crypt were not as active, Reis completed mixing the material and released it as an album through Drunken Fish Records under the title Back Off Cupids. Of Reis' many musical endeavors, Back Off Cupids remains the most obscure.
Band members
edit- John Reis – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, other instruments
- Jason Crane – drums, trumpet
- Paul O'Beirne – saxophone
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Back Off Cupids | Drunken Fish | Only album. Recorded in 1994, mixed in 1999. |
Compilation appearances
edit| Year | Compilation | Label | Song(s) | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ow, Quit It | Volvolo Records | "Painted Half a Picture" | Song re-released on the Back Off Cupids album. | |
| Saint Doug | no label | "A Strong Maybe" | Compilation of San Diego groups put out by radio station 91X. Song re-released on the Back Off Cupids album. | |
| Speed Kills | Snap! Crackle Punk! | "Sleds Behave" | This record came with Speed Kills Magazine #7. |