Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector

Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector

Author: The Vinyl Guide March 23, 2026 Duration: 1:00:37

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, and why the next release always matters most.

Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museum's 3rd Anniversary Show here

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 collaboration in the works — the next thing is always the thing.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
ep497: mclusky is still here with andrew falkous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:50
andrew "falco" falkous discusses the reformation of his band mclusky after a nearly 20-year hiatus, their upcoming album on ipecac recordings, the rare catalogue of vinyl releases and more! Topics Include: falco confirms…
Ep496: The Adjacent Possible w/ Damian Kulash of OK Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Damian Kulash of OK Go discusses his evolution from punk music fan, working with Dischord records, and creating boundary-pushing music, vinyl packaging and viral videos Topics Include: New album "And The Adjacent Possibl…
Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
Private Function frontman and instigator Chris Penney discusses the rare, collectable and controversial vinyl art of the band and reveals some details of their new album. Topics Include: Chris Penney injured himself at a…
Ep493: 20 Trips of Brown Acid w/ Daniel, Lance and Lenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:37
Nuggets curator Lenny Kaye joins Brown Acid creators Lance Barresi and Daniel Hall to celebrate their 20th volume of rescuing forgotten proto-metal singles from the early 70s, discuss rare vinyl discoveries, and preservi…
Ep492: Zev Feldman Returns! RSD Picks with The Jazz Detective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:55
Renowned archivist & record producer Zev Feldman, "The Jazz Detective", returns to discusses the Record Store Day 2025 releases of lost jazz recordings from Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Mingus, Bill Evans, Patsy Cline & more…
Al Barile (1962-2025) - The Vinyl Guide Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
Replay of our 2024 interview with hardore legend Al Barile of SSD and X-Claim! Records. Photos by Alison Braun ------- Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s.…
Ep491: Aussie Legend Tex Perkins - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
Australian icon Tex Perkins takes us through his legendary career, from The Cruel Sea & The Beasts recent works, to wild ARIA award nights, his atrocious habits with vinyl records, reissuing his works on vinyl and lots m…
Ep490: Saving Vinyl - Rescuing Australia's Last Record Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Despite having no manufacturing experience, Nick Phillips (The Breadmakers, Corduroy Records) impulsively bought Australia's last vinyl pressing equipment, not only saving it from the scrap heap, but creating an Australi…
Ep489: Wolfgang Flür (ex Kraftwerk) & Peter Duggal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Wolfgang Flür, formerly of Kraftwerk, and musical collaborator Peter Duggal, discuss musical journeys, memories from the Kraftwerk years, collaborating with members of Daft Punk and Joy Division for the new LP "Times" an…