Alien Crime Syndicate

Joe Reineke was previously a member of The Meices.{{Cite web | last = Torreano | first = Bradley | title = Alien Crime Syndicate Biography | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=alien-crime-syndicate-p372563/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}{{Cite web | last = Steininger | first = Alex | title = INTERVIEW: Alien Crime Syndicate: Joe Reineke (vocals/guitar) | publisher = In Music We Trust | date = June 1999 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/20h01.html}} After releasing four studio albums,{{Cite web | title = Meices, The | publisher = Discogs | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.discogs.com/artist/Meices%2C+The}}{{Cite web | last = Steininger | first = Alex | title = INTERVIEW: Alien Crime Syndicate: Loop-Laden Power-Pop With A Rock 'n' Roll Tail | publisher = In Music We Trust | date = June 2000 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/20h01.html}} The Meices disbanded in 1997, with Reineke forming Alien Crime Syndicate with bassist Jeff Rouse in San Francisco, California the same year. By the summer, they relocated to Los Angeles and were signed to Revolution Records. The band, with Shawn Trudeau,{{cite AV media notes | title = From the Word Go | title-link = From the Word Go | others = Alien Crime Syndicate | year= 2000 | publisher = Will Records | type = CD linear}} recorded their debut album with producer Gil Norton at Grandmaster Studios in Hollywood.{{Cite web | title = From the Word Go Credits | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=from-the-word-go-r491215/credits|pure_url=yes}}}} However, by 1998, Alien Crime Syndicate were dropped from the label following the folding of Revolution Records.{{Cite web |last = Steininger|first = Alex|title = Interview: Alien Crime Syndicate are off of V2 and back in control of their group|publisher = In Music We Trust|date = 2004|accessdate = 2011-01-24|url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/66h01.html}}{{Cite web | title = Bio: Music - Nabil Ayers | work = The Stranger | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/bio-music/Content?oid=7027}}

The band relocated to Seattle, Washington{{Cite web | last = Scanlon | first = Tom | title = Eclectic Maktub Remains Busy Watts' Main Focus | work = The Seattle Times | date = April 15, 1999 | access-date = 2011-01-24 | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990415/2955173/eclectic-maktub-remains-busy-watts-main-focus}} adding drummer Nabil Ayers, formerly of The Lemons,{{Cite web | last = Hay | first = Travis | title = Eight is enough with Nabil Ayers, drummer for The Long Winters | work = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = August 24, 2006 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://blog.seattlepi.com/guerrillacandy/archives/106117.asp }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and guitarist Jason Krevey to the lineup before performing live shows locally. Originally intended to be a 7", the band released a five-song EP titled Supernatural in 1999 through Ayer's Collective Fruit label.{{Cite web | last = DaRonco | first = Mark | title = Supernatural Review | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=supernatural-ep-r426102/review|pure_url=yes}}}} Supernatural was well received, earning comparisons to U2 while Mike DaRonco of Allmusic stated that the EP was "in a league of its own." The band continued to play locally, including a show with The Western State Hurricanes while they also toured California.

Alien Crime Syndicate recorded their new album, titled Dust to Dirt, at Orbit Audio and Jupiter Studios in Seattle.{{cite AV media notes | title = Dust to Dirt | title-link = Dust to Dirt | others = Alien Crime Syndicate | year= 2000 | publisher = Collective Fruit | type = CD linear}} Produced by Reineke, the album featured new material, as well as re-recorded songs from their unreleased album, and it was released by the Collective Fruit label on February 8, 2000.{{Cite web | title = Dust to Dirt Overview | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=dust-to-dirt-r466159|pure_url=yes}}}} The band toured in support and with their music receiving decent radio play. When the rights to their unreleased album, titled From the Word Go, were acquired by Will Records, Collective Fruit stopped pressing the Dust to Dirt CD so the band could tour in support of the Will album, which was released on July 18 the same year.{{Cite web | last = Mason | first = Stewart | title = From the Word Go Review | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=from-the-word-go-r491215/review|pure_url=yes}}}}

Reviewing From the Word Go, Stewart Mason of Allmusic said that "Joe Reineke's brand of lightly psychedelicized, guitar-heavy power pop rockers is more appropriate for the kind of pop/rock obsessives who will appreciate the jangly strums, vintage synth sounds, and appealingly retro-feeling fondness for singalong choruses repeated once or twice too often." He also stated that "[t]hose who like Carl Newman's pre-New Pornographers band Zumpano might consider Alien Crime Syndicate a kindred spirit with an outer space preoccupation replacing Zumpano's '60s fixation." The band continued to play live shows in the Northwest in support of the album. The same year, Rouse joined Loaded, at the invitation of drummer Geoff Reading,{{Cite web | last = Reading | first = Geoff | title = WEDNESDAY READING: The Loaded promise | publisher = Weekly Volcano | date = December 8, 2010 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/music/columns/2010/12/WEDNESDAY-READING-The-Loaded-promise/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718023159/http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/music/columns/2010/12/WEDNESDAY-READING-The-Loaded-promise/ | archive-date = 2011-07-18 | url-status = dead }} replacing previous bassist Dave Dederer for the band's tour of the US and Japan in support of Dark Days.{{Cite web|title=LOADED announce "House of Blues" shows |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 26, 2001 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=232 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606051104/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=232 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}{{Cite web|title=Former GUNS N' ROSES Bassist Announces West Coast, Japanese Dates |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 12, 2002 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=748 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021120182720/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=748 |archive-date=November 20, 2002 }}{{Cite web|last=de Sylvia |first=Dave |title=Duff McKagan's Loaded Interview |publisher=Sputnikmusic |date=September 29, 2008 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/feature.php?id=5403 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130170303/http://www.sputnikmusic.com/feature.php?id=5403 |archive-date=November 30, 2011 }}

{{listen |filename=Ozzy.ogg |title=Ozzy |description=A sample of "Ozzy" from XL from Coast to Coast. The first single from XL from Coast to Coast, "Ozzy" became a minor hit on local radio while it was also one of the top-selling records at local independent record stores.{{Cite web | last = Scanlon | first = Tom | title = Vendetta Red, Alien Crime Syndicate rock Fremont Fair | work = The Seattle Times | date = June 21, 2002 | access-date = 2011-01-24 | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020621/fremont21/vendetta-red-alien-crime-syndicate-rock-fremont-fair}}{{Cite web | title = Countdown: Top-selling records at local independent record stores | work = Seattle Weekly | date = February 20, 2002 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.seattleweekly.com/2002-02-20/music/countdown/}}}}

The band spent a year writing and recording their third album.{{Cite web | last = Steininger | first = Alex | title = INTERVIEW: Alien Crime Syndicate: Recently Signed V2 Band Interprets Power Pop | publisher = In Music We Trust | date = April 2002 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/47h01.html}} However, Krevey departed and was replaced by Rouse's Loaded bandmate and former Nevada Bachelors guitarist Mike Squires. The album was recorded at Orbit Audio Studios in Seattle and was produced by Reineke.{{cite AV media notes | title = XL from Coast to Coast | title-link = XL from Coast to Coast | others = Alien Crime Syndicate | year= 2002 | publisher = The Control Group/V2 Records | type = CD linear}} To release the album, titled XL from Coast to Coast, Ayers founded The Control Group record label with the album released in January 2002. It received some positive reviews, with critics noting Urge Overkill and The Replacements influences.{{Cite web | last = Torreano | first = Bradley | title = XL from Coast to Coast Review | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=xl-from-coast-to-coast-r572613/review|pure_url=yes}}}} The first single "Ozzy" received regular radio play on Seattle's KNDD, becoming a minor hit, while the single and album were both listed in the top-selling records at local independent record stores in Seattle Weekly.{{Cite web | title = Countdown: Top-selling records at local independent record stores (2) | work = Seattle Weekly | date = March 20, 2002 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.seattleweekly.com/2002-03-20/music/countdown/}}

The band subsequently signed a deal with V2 Records, who re-released the album three months after its initial release. The European and Japanese, released through Toshiba EMI,{{Cite web | last = Torreano | first = Bradley | title = XL from Coast to Coast (Bonus track) Overview | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r955396|pure_url=yes}}}} editions of the album included a cover of Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" which featured Duff McKagan, formerly of Guns N' Roses, and Kim Warnick, of Visqueen and formerly of the Fastbacks.{{Cite web | last = Bonazelli | first = Andrew | title = CD Reviews: SUBARACHNOID SPACE, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE, and VELVET TINMINE | work = Seattle Weekly | date = June 18, 2003 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.seattleweekly.com/2003-06-18/music/cd-reviews/}} The cover was also included on the Break the Record EP released in 2003. The band toured in support, playing at the Fremont Fair while they also supported Sugar Ray on their tour of Six Flags amusement parks.{{Cite web | last = Bonazelli | first = Andrew | title = Space Invaders: The boys of Alien Crime Syndicate make music that's hard to resist. | work = Seattle Weekly | date = July 3, 2002 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.seattleweekly.com/2002-07-03/music/space-invaders}}

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="When I started ACS, I wanted to start a band different than my old band (The Meices). And I tried all sorts of stuff - loops, etc. But the more we did it, the more I felt I should go back and do what I'm best at. We didn't set out to make anything specific, but we wanted to make a better record than we did before." |source=—Joe Reineke on the recording of Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal.}}

Despite the label picking up the option for their next album, Alien Crime Syndicate left V2 Records and returned to The Control Group. The band entered pre-production with producer Gil Norton who helped with arrangements and songs. The album was recorded at Orbit Audio and was produced by Reineke, with Norton serving as executive producer.{{cite AV media notes | title = Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal | title-link = Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal | others = Alien Crime Syndicate | year= 2004 | publisher = The Control Group | type = CD booklet}}{{Cite web | title = Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal Credits | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=ten-songs-in-the-key-of-betrayal-r684979/credits|pure_url=yes}}}} Squires left the band prior to the recording of the album and was replaced by Mike Davis, who recorded additional guitars on three songs. Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal was released on April 20, 2004{{Cite web | last = Goodman | first = Abbey | title = New Releases: Prince, Mario Winans, Afroman, Drowning Pool, Hanson, Ghostface, The Alarm & More | publisher = MTV | date = April 19, 2004 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486452/new-releases-prince-mario-winans-more.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111207045936/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486452/new-releases-prince-mario-winans-more.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = December 7, 2011}}{{Cite web | last = Luerssen | first = John D. | title = Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal Review | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=ten-songs-in-the-key-of-betrayal-r684979/review|pure_url=yes}}}} to positive reviews, with John D. Luerssen of Allmusic stating that the album was "a kickass rock & roll record" and that "when they hit their marks [...] ACS is as immediate as it is fun."

Alien Crime Syndicate toured the West Coast in support of the album, before touring with Guns N' Roses, former The Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, in support of his solo album Village Gorilla Head, both as the supporting act and Stinson's backing band, replacing The Figgs.{{Cite web | last = Steininger | first = Alex | title = INTERVIEW: Tommy Stinson: Former Replacements bassist yap yaps about his perfect career, solo album | publisher = In Music We Trust | date = June 1999 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/67h15.html}}{{Cite web|title=GUNS N' ROSES Bassist To Tour With ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 30, 2004 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24281 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051207114950/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24281 |archive-date=December 7, 2005 }} They toured both the US and Europe with Stinson, while they also recorded the live shows for a possible DVD.{{Cite web|title=GUNS N' ROSES Bassist: ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE Show To Be Filmed For Possible DVD |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=August 31, 2004 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24281 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051207114950/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24281 |archive-date=December 7, 2005 }} By 2005, Alien Crime Syndicate disbanded.

Rouse joined Vendetta Red, before forming Sirens Sister with Vendetta Red members Zach Davidson and Leif Anderson as well as Ben Libay following the breakup of the band.{{Cite web | last = Mason | first = Stewart | title = Sirens Sister Biography | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=sirens-sister-p825884/biography|pure_url=yes}}}} They released one album titled Echoes from the Ocean Floor, in 2006, before Rouse left the group. He also reunited with Loaded, along with Mike Squires, in 2006,{{Cite web|title=DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED To Reunite For Benefit Concert |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=December 2, 2006 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63193 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107142231/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63193 |archive-date=January 7, 2007 }} going on to release an EP, Wasted Heart, in 2008 and album, Sick, in 2009 while they also completed the recording of their third, The Taking, in 2010.{{Cite web|title=DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: 'Sick' First-Week Sales Revealed |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=April 17, 2009 |accessdate=2011-01-24 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118300 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908191249/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118300 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 }}{{Cite web|last=Mosqueda |first=Ruben |title=Mike Squires and Loaded ready new album with producer Terry Date at the helm |publisher=Oregon Music News |date=January 22, 2011 |url=http://oregonmusicnews.com/blog/2011/01/22/mike-squires-and-loaded-ready-new-album-with-prodcuer-terry-date-at-the-helm/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127114806/http://oregonmusicnews.com/blog/2011/01/22/mike-squires-and-loaded-ready-new-album-with-prodcuer-terry-date-at-the-helm/ |archive-date=January 27, 2011 }} He also formed a solo project titled To the Glorious Lonely.{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED Performs Surprise Acoustic Set In Seattle | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = January 3, 2009 | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=111820 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090105061641/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=111820 | archive-date = 2009-01-05 | url-status = dead }}

Ayers joined John Roderick's The Long Winters,{{Cite web | last = Wilson | first = MacKenzie | title = The Long Winters Biography | publisher = Allmusic | accessdate = 2011-01-24 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=alien-crime-syndicate-p372563/biography|pure_url=yes}}}} touring with Keane and releasing the album Putting the Days to Bed. His music store, Sonic Boom, was also named the top independent music store in the US by Rolling Stone magazine in 2006.

Alien Crime Syndicate's music have often been described as a space rock, power pop, hard rock, indie rock, pop rock and pop punk. The band has also seen their music compared to U2, Zumpano, Urge Overkill, The Replacements, Weezer and Fountains of Wayne.

• Joe Reineke – vocals, guitar (1997–2005)
• Jeff Rouse – bass, backing vocals (1997–2005)
• Nabil Ayers – drums (1999–2005)
• Sean Trudeau - drums (1997-1999)
• Jason Krevey – guitar, backing vocals (1999–2001)
• Mike Squires – guitar, backing vocals (2002–2003)
• Mike Davis – guitar (2004)

;Studio Albums

• Dust to Dirt (2000)
• From the Word Go (2000)
• XL from Coast to Coast (2002)
• Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal (2004)

;EPs

• Supernatural (1999)
• Break the Record (2003)

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Category:Musical groups established in 1997

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005

Category:Musical groups from Seattle

Category:Rock music groups from California

Category:Rock music groups from Washington (state)

Category:V2 Records artists