Rocket From The Crypt’s On The Prowl Come On – A Wild Ride That Doesn’t Let You Catch Your Breath
Alright, buckle up, because Rocket From The Crypt’s 2003 album On The Prowl Come On is like that one friend who shows up uninvited but ends up being the life of the party. It’s rock ‘n’ roll with a capital “R,” and it doesn’t care if you’re ready for it or not. This thing hits hard, swings wild, and leaves you wondering how your ears got so lucky.
First off, let’s talk about the vibe. Alternative rock? Sure, check that box. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill whiny guitar fest. Nope. With Speedo (yes, his real stage name) belting out vocals like he’s trying to start a cult, and Apollo 9 blowing saxophone riffs that could wake the dead, this record feels more like a sweaty basement show where everyone knows the words—even though they’ve never heard them before.
Now, onto the tracks. The title track, “On The Prowl,” kicks things off with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the face. And honestly? I’m here for it. There’s something gloriously unhinged about the way Speedo growls over N.D.’s crunchy guitar licks while Jon Wurster smashes the drums like he’s mad at them. By the time JC2G jumps in with those brassy trumpet blasts, you’re either dancing like an idiot or pretending you don’t want to join in. Spoiler alert: You do.
Then there’s “Come On.” Oh man, this song is sneaky. Starts off chill enough, almost like it’s easing you into the chaos, but then BAM—Petey X drops these basslines so funky they might as well have their own zip code. Add in some backing vocals that sound like they were recorded during happy hour, and suddenly you’ve got yourself a banger that sticks in your head longer than last week’s leftovers.
Props also go to Nathan Cabrera for the artwork and layout—it’s got that raw, DIY punk aesthetic that screams, “We made this in someone’s garage, and we’re proud of it!” Meanwhile, Stuart Sikes nailed the recording, making sure every instrument fights for space in the mix just like siblings in the backseat of a car.
So yeah, On The Prowl Come On isn’t perfect. Some might call it messy; others might say it’s chaotic. But hey, sometimes messy is exactly what you need. Life’s too short for boring music, right?
And here’s the kicker: Listening to this album makes me wonder if Rocket From The Crypt knew they were creating something timeless—or if they just didn’t give a damn. Either way, I’m glad they did. Now excuse me while I blast “On The Prowl” again and attempt to air-drum without knocking over my coffee cup.
