Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Swami John Reis (instagram.com/swami_john_reis/) of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records (swami-records.myshopify.com/) , and why the next release always matters most.
Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museum's 3rd Anniversary Show here (thepunkrockmuseum.com/news/the-punk-rock-museum-is-celebrating-its-third-anniversary-the-only-way-it-knows-how-with-a-loud-no-holds-barred-parking-lot-show-onnbspsaturday-april-4th)
Topics Include:
• Swami John Reis joins to talk record collecting and Punk Rock Museum.
• His collection is evolving — trading old hardcore for more desired records.
• Collection is 95% 45s, driven by a lifelong musical pursuit.
• Early punk led him to hunt for MC5, Stooges, Velvet Underground.
• The thrill: records still exist that nobody knows about yet.
• Digging through boxes feels calming, healthy, and satisfying every time.
• Hawaii vintage shop surprise — radio station collection hidden outside for decades.
• Detroit and Pittsburgh are his highest strike-rate cities for finds.
• Always ask the clerk — the best stuff is never on the floor.
• Styrene vs vinyl: the label sticker is the definitive tell.
• Making records informed his collecting — plain white sleeves, big hole 45s.
• Pressing plant relationships are everything; affordability is the biggest challenge.
• Customs delays under the current administration are wrecking release schedules badly.
• Major labels scrapped their own pressing plants — now everyone competes for time.
• Marketing records stopped making sense; the artist always drives interest anyway.
• Every record is essentially limited and out of print from day one.
• Smaller runs mean no unsold closet stock and more collector value later.
• Hot Snakes packaging and Rick Griffin's creativity still inspire him deeply.
• Upcoming: Sultans reissue, Mrs. Magician LP, new Swami John Reis record.
• Schizophonics (instagram.com/theschizophonics/) collaboration in the works — the next thing is always the thing.
High resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)
• Apple: tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/vinylguide)
Swami John Reis (instagram.com/swami_john_reis/) of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records (swami-records.myshopify.com/) , and why the next release always matters most.
Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museum's 3rd Anniversary Show here (thepunkrockmuseum.com/news/the-punk-rock-museum-is-celebrating-its-third-anniversary-the-only-way-it-knows-how-with-a-loud-no-holds-barred-parking-lot-show-onnbspsaturday-april-4th)
Topics Include:
• Swami John Reis joins to talk record collecting and Punk Rock Museum.
• His collection is evolving — trading old hardcore for more desired records.
• Collection is 95% 45s, driven by a lifelong musical pursuit.
• Early punk led him to hunt for MC5, Stooges, Velvet Underground.
• The thrill: records still exist that nobody knows about yet.
• Digging through boxes feels calming, healthy, and satisfying every time.
• Hawaii vintage shop surprise — radio station collection hidden outside for decades.
• Detroit and Pittsburgh are his highest strike-rate cities for finds.
• Always ask the clerk — the best stuff is never on the floor.
• Styrene vs vinyl: the label sticker is the definitive tell.
• Making records informed his collecting — plain white sleeves, big hole 45s.
• Pressing plant relationships are everything; affordability is the biggest challenge.
• Customs delays under the current administration are wrecking release schedules badly.
• Major labels scrapped their own pressing plants — now everyone competes for time.
• Marketing records stopped making sense; the artist always drives interest anyway.
• Every record is essentially limited and out of print from day one.
• Smaller runs mean no unsold closet stock and more collector value later.
• Hot Snakes packaging and Rick Griffin's creativity still inspire him deeply.
• Upcoming: Sultans reissue, Mrs. Magician LP, new Swami John Reis record.
• Schizophonics (instagram.com/theschizophonics/) collaboration in the works — the next thing is always the thing.
High resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)
• Apple: tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/vinylguide)
