Photos and Words by Cris Watkins
The Supersuckers, the self-described ‘Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World’, are finally back in the UK, with the first date of their European jaunt. They were last seen on these shores at the 100 Club just before the outbreak of Covid, which curtailed their last tour of Europe.
I first discovered the band on one of my weekly trips to Vinyl Solution in Ladbroke Grove back in 1992. When flipping through the CDs, ‘The Smoke Of Hell’ jumped out at me with that excellent Daniel Clowes artwork and song titles ‘I Say Fuck’, ‘Alone and Stinking’ and ‘Ron’s Got the Cocaine’ leaping out at me it was the best blind buy I ever made and I’ve bought every release since.
Thirty-plus years on, and The Supersuckers are still making punked-up rock ‘n’ roll to die for with massive riffs, thundering basslines and drums and not forgetting a cheeky two-finger salute skywards. The band, now down to a solid three-piece, still keep things simple, combining the riffage of AC/DC, the heart of Thin Lizzy and the delivery of The Ramones. Their latest album, 2020’s Play That Rock’ N’ Roll, the 10th studio album, shows a band still at the top of their game, sticking to their well-worn path and ready to rock the party.
Back to this evening, a packed crowd welcomes the return of the threesome, Eddie Spaghetti bass and vocals, “Metal” Marty Chandler guitar and Christopher “Chango” von Streicher. They waste no time and blast through a set of old and new tunes, and each gets an ecstatic cheer from the crowd. ‘Ain’t Gonna Stop’, ‘All Of The Time’ and ‘Get The Hell’ from the later albums sit sweetly between the classics ‘Rock-n-Roll Records (Ain’t Selling This Year)’, ‘Creepy Jackalope Eye’ and ‘Going Back To Tucson’ with every song delivered like it could be the last time they ever played them. Highlights? The belting run-through of Michael Monroes’ ‘Dead Jail Or Rock’ N’ Roll’, the sing-a-long anthem, ‘Pretty Fucked Up’ and a barnstorming ‘Born With A tail’ brings a hot, sweaty set sadly to an end. The Supersuckers yet again prove that there’s still a fire burning in the belly of the beast, and in the eyes of the crowd here tonight are STILL the greatest rock and roll band in the world.
One band vying to take that title for the UK are Nottingham rockers The Hip Priests, who open the night’s bill with a bang and motor through a nine-song set of hi-octane punk rock and roll. Coming on like the bastard child of The Stooges and The Dead Boys. With twin guitars blazing, they smash through ‘ Zero Fucks Given’, ‘Stand For Nothing’ and ‘Survival Of The Shittest’ and with a back catalogue of albums and 7 inches that’d fill a small truck, they’ve plenty of material to choose from tonight, but oh no they go and give us a taster of material from their forthcoming album ‘Tiger In My Tank’, ‘Shakin Ain’t Fakin’, Inaction Rocks’ and final number ‘Best Revenge are all solid cuts, and if this is the quality we can expect for the new LP it’s a must-buy!
I still can’t believe the band slipped under my radar for so long until I caught them at the Camden Rocks festival just a few years ago. I was shocked to find out they celebrated fifteen years together last year. If you like your rock hard, fast, loud and snotty, check out the Hip Priests; it’ll be the best thing you’ve done all year!
Supersuckers Setlist:
Ain’t Gonna Stop
All of the Time
Rock-n-Roll Records (Ain’t Selling This Year)
The Evil Powers of Rock and Roll
Roadworn and Weary
Creepy Jackalope Eye
Get the Hell
Dead Inside
Deceptive Expectation
Mudhead
Goin’ Back to Tucson
Die Alone
Luck
Rock Your Ass
Dead, Jail or Rock’ n’ Roll
Play that Rock’ n’ Roll
Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
Pretty Fucked Up Cowboy Song
Born With A Tail
