Supersuckers Live In Newport, UK
By
Pauly D,
UK Correspondent
Tuesday, October 8, 2002 @ 7:00 AM
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“Would you say that your songs are about liquor, women, drugs and killing for the most part?”
“Yup.”
Herein lies the driving force behind the Supersuckers. Chances are if you’re checking out this review, you’re already familiar with the band’s style and delivery. In case you haven’t: It’s loud, no frills, kick ass rock n’ roll delivered in boots, cowboy hats and sunglasses. Good time music for pure rockers everywhere. A Supersuckers record is the aural equivalent of one of those beer fridges -- every self respecting rocker’s house should own one, and it impresses the shit out of the neighbours -- well those with a degree of taste anyway.
The sweaty but sprawling TJ’s plays host to the ‘Suckers this evening -- in terms of small venues, it’s pretty useful. Not the ideal layout, but usually with good sound and a decent crowd. For some unbeknown reason, the Supersuckers aren’t due to start until midnight -- making what’s already been a long day for the band even longer.
My previous viewing of the ‘Suckers was outdoors at the Reading festival in 2000, and despite the massive change of surroundings, what you see with the Supersuckers is what you get. “The evil powers of rock and roll” is one of THE great opening tunes of all time, and brings a smile to my face -- I’d lost track of just how plain and simple rock ‘n roll was supposed to be played. Eddie’s usual smart-ass banter (amusingly) irritates the shit out of the guy stood just across from me, but with the amount of alcohol that’s been consumed by some of the crowd by this time, Eddies words seem to have a little more barb than usual.
As the guys rattle through “She’s My Bitch”, “Beat To Shit” and “I Want the Drugs,” (you get the kind of lyrical picture these guys paint) the crowd become to get a little unruly. Now I’m pretty sure a band like the Supersuckers have played in front of this kind of crowd more times than they’ve passed out drunk… ‘k, maybe not THAT many times, but after doing the rounds for this many years, and after a long day on the road -- all you want to do is get up there and play. The band showcased some excellent new material -- an album is on the way “kinda soon,” and the twin guitar attack of Dan and Ron just kills -- Ron’s solos rating with the best of them. Let it be known that no other band does the “finish the song and hold the guitar neck to the sky” pose quite that well. The dumbass contingent of the crowd finally spills over to the stage, during the cover of Lizzy’s “Cowboy Song,” some guy drags Eddie’s mic into the crowd with him, and it kills the moment. He’s dragged away and the band restarts…’til some one else decides it’s a good idea to use the neck of the bass to pull himself on stage, and deservingly gets a thump with said bass. It’s late, the crowd is out of order, and it’s time to wrap things up. “Born with a Tail” closes the show and still kicks the ass off almost everything else on the planet.
Not the Supersuckers finest hour, and for that the venue has to take the blame. Way too late a start time. I’m frustrated for the guys, and for myself -- sadly the band doesn’t get over here that often, and when a band is this good live -- you have to take every chance you have to see them. If the ‘Suckers are headed your way -- I urge you to go see them. If you want it loud, if you want pounding drums, if you want killer guitar solos, if you want no-bullshit rock and roll -- then you really do need to check out the Supersuckers.
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