Supersuckers - Motherfuckers Be Trippin'
(Mid-Fi Recordings)
2 1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Review by Tony Bonyata
Falling somewhere between the crass, drop-your-knickers rock of AC/DC and the big dumb arena sounds of Kiss, comes the Seattle-based band Supersuckers' latest album Motherfuckers Be Trippin' .
While far from a household name, the Supersuckers have, nonetheless, been churning out albums, singles and compilations since 1992. Originally hailing from Tucson, Arizona, the band decided to relocate to Seattle in 1989 before the whole grunge rock explosion hit there a few years later. Although signed to the grunge label Sub-Pop, the band failed to capitalize on the then burgeoning scene, most likely because they seemed more concerned with their "I wanna rock ån åroll all night, and party everyday" mentality more than worrying if they reeked of teen spirit. Despite a hankering for punk rock, their modus operandi has always included a crumpled plastic cup of Bud Light along with a waving Bic lighter, rather than safety pins and snarls.
And its this type of party-'til-you-puke attitude that this foursome of Animal House rockers fill their latest effort Motherfuckers Be Trippin' with. The album opens with the crude high energy fist-pumper "Rock ån' Roll Records (Ain't Selling This Year)," only to keep the tapper flowing with kegger anthems heavy on muscle and low on brain cells, such as "Damn My Soul," "Rock Your Ass" and "The Fight Song," complete with AC/DC-like chants.
While the band's love of punk rock is apparent on "A Good Night For Drinkin'" they also slip into the unadulterated power pop of "Bubblegum and Beer," which sounds like a blatant pitch at the theme song for Fox Network's next quirky sitcom. Thankfully, however, the band hasn't sold out by including the tried-and-true, and equally pathetic, power ballad, which most bands of this ilk eventually succumb to. When they do hit the nail on the head, as on the groove heavy "Bruises To Prove It," they also, unfortunately, can't help but wallow in self-indulgent '70s guitar solos.
"Rock-n-roll records ain't selling this year," lead singer and bassist Eddie Spaghetti brays in a tongue-in-cheek manner. But despite their homage to power chords and all night chug-a-luggin', this rock-n-roll record probably won't fair much better.