The indefatigable, utterly unstoppable force of nature that is John Reis makes his long-awaited return to our fair isle – and we only have three more sleeps until his current project Swami And The Bed Of Nails unleash their righteous brand of face melting riffola to his loyal worshippers. This Friday, September 20, the band play Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, and on Saturday, September 21, they play the Workman’s Club, Dublin.

A first ballot choice for the Mount Rushmore of outsider rock, Reis is acclaimed for having the most powerful right arm in punk (yes, that’s an actual fact) and has been in a shed-load of seminal bands over the decades including Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, the Sultans, the Night Marchers and many more.

Irish legends Therapy? and The Dudley Corporation love him, this very magazine has lauded him many times and his explosive style of rock ‘n’ roll is always guaranteed to get the party started within 6.66 seconds. On the road in support of the lean and pleasingly mean album All Of This Awaits You (which is one of this Hot Press scribe’s records of the year) both shows are unmissable.

Produced by John Reis and mixed by Ben Moore, All Of This Awaits You was born out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions in 2023. Transforming into what Reis describes as “a growing tributary” after the passing of his long-time friend and bandmate Rick Froberg, the songs on the eventual nine-song album come from this challenging time of reflection and redirection.

Reis says of his latest LP:

“I’ve never thought much of self reflection, at least not the deep kind. I dunno, I think I felt that kind of introspection would somehow derail my rock n roll instincts and objective. My goal has always been to make explosive music, exciting records, play meaningful shows, shake hands, kiss babies and then repeat. I never treated anything I did artistically as being precious. There is always going to be a next thing that I would hopefully love even more.”

Tickets are running low for both Swami And The Bed Of Nails shows so don’t sleep in and snag some now. They’re available via Ticketmaster (for Belfast, September 20) and tickets.ie (for Dublin, September 21).

Support for Belfast is Many Souls (a collective featuring members from former Hot Press faves Saint Dudes and Not Squares in their ranks). Support for Dublin is Creepy Future.