RFTC
This punk-influenced San Diego rave-up outfit regularly tosses glorious, sweaty, bar band-slamming rock Armageddon at its live audiences with chaotic rapture and alcohol-fueled showmanship. Getting it on record, on the other hand, has always been a beguiling challenge for John Reis, a.k.a. Speedo, and his motley band of musical miscreants. A major part of the fun in Rocket from the Crypt's music, however, as well asRFTCthe album, has  more to do with the insolence of the very attempt itself. On raucous numbers like "Break It Up," the band clearly flourishes, with the song's fiery, infectious groove and anthemic refrain skipping rocks over your speaker parts. The best way to gauge Rocket from the Crypt's album-to-album success? Let it rip in a room full of people and watch how popular you suddenly become.--Matthew Cooke