The unnamed special project of John Reis and Rob Crow

“You know, when my son was born, I stopped playing music,” John Reis told the Reader after returning to the recording studio from a hiatus. “And all of a sudden I’m back, and everything I’ve ever played in is now playing at the same time.” His successful bands have included Hot Snakes, Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From the Crypt, the Night Marchers, and around a dozen other lesser known but well regarded acts. Among the few locals who can claim as many notable musical adventures is Rob Crow, from Heavy Vegetable, Thingy, Pinback, Goblin Cock, and Anal Trump, among others.

Together, John Reis and Rob Crow (who previously teamed up for Drive Like Jehu’s “Luau”) will debut a so-far unnamed “special project” on Saturday, April 20 at the Music Box for This Includes You!, a benefit for the Museum School Special Education Program. The show also features Crow’s band Pinback (whose Some Offcell Voices EP was released in 2017), soundtrack duo El Ten Eleven (their newest is 2018’s Banker’s Hill) and the Color Forty Nine, which premiered their debut self-titled EP last June and includes the Museum School’s Principal Phil Beaumont.

A new single from the Strawberry Moons, “Nicole’s Song,” debuts April 23 at the Belly Up, previewing an upcoming full-length recorded and produced by Ben Moore at local Singing Serpent Studios. “We’re currently working closely with our artist designer on the themes for the album release and the individual single releases,” says Aimee Jacobs. “A hand-drawn image will be associated with each song — a poppy for ‘Nicole’s Song,’ a hill for ‘Cigarette Hills,’ a snake emerging from a basket for ‘Snake Charm’ — along with photos by Jay Reilly from a recent session, and our original logos.” The record features their last recordings with ex-guitarist John Falk, recently replaced by Hector Duenas. “We were definitely concerned we’d be majorly set back, but happy to say it’s all systems go.”

Also experiencing a lineup shift is Hideout, now a duo featuring sole founder Gabriel Rodriguez accompanied by Scarlett Stephenson-Connolly, who guested on the previous Hideout album, So Many Hoops So Little Time. They have a new single out via Thrill Me Records, “Next Time I See You.”

Carlos Rodriguez has left Stone Horse and is getting back to his British rock roots by reforming the Carlos Rock Experience, as his band was originally known (alternately with Carlos Blues Experience) before singer Danielle Spade joined in late 2012. Two Stone Horse albums were released: 2014's Grit (recorded at Kitsch 'N' Sync studios with Sven-Erik Seaholm engineering and featuring former Ike Turner drummer Bill Ray) and 2016's Nobody Rides For Free, recorded at Big Fish Studios.

Little Dove will soon finally follow up on their 2013 debut album, according to a notice on their website reading "ALBUM #2 COMING SPRING 2019." Their first tour abroad in Ireland and the UK kicks off shortly and will include London based rhythm section Carl Dawkins (bass) and Mark Vincent (drums).

Vanja James is now going by her first name only. Originating as a duo with percussionist Dylan Cooper, Little Dove evolved into a power trio featuring Vanja on guitar and vocals, Kyle Areford (Mrs. Henry, Down Big, the Paragraphs) on bass, and Ryan Schilawski (Duping the Public, Badabing, Bosswitch) on drums and backing vocals. After playing their first show in April 2013 at the Viper Room in L.A., a self-titled debut was released later that year. At this writing, it's unclear who, if anyone, remains in Little Dove aside from Vanja, although a notice on the Little Dove website reads "Album #2 coming spring 2019."

Locals on tour include funky psych-rock trio Schizophonics, who’ll play nearly a dozen New Zealand dates beginning May 24 in Auckland and concluding June 2 in Gisborne. Tom Brosseau’s UK and European trek kicks off April 22 in Amsterdam before moving on through Germany, Spain, Portugal, and wrapping up in England. Jazz singer Whitney Shay booked a tour of Brazil running through April 29, and guitar icon Johnny Vernazza will play the Stomp & Twang Festival in Cornwall, UK, happening May 31 through June 2 and headlined by Yola, Lucas & King, and Emily Barker.