Supersuckers
Must’ve Been Live
Mid-Fi
If the title of the new live Supersuckers album sounds familiar to you, it should – it’s a play on the title of their 1997 honky tonk album, Must’ve Been High. And as the title implies, this is a full-on juke joint special, full of raucous, old school, authentic country & western (yep, they’ve got both kinds), mixed up with the ‘Suckers trademark drug-fueled, snot-nosed punk rock attitude. The record does a great job of capturing the band’s personality in a live setting, with plenty of humorous between-song patter and audience interaction. But it’s the songs that stand out most of all, as the ‘Suckers sound tight and in great shape on this material – which aside from most of the aforementioned Must’ve Been High record includes a couple of other gems from the ‘Suckers catalog, as well as a few choice covers, including “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin” and “Alabama, Louisiana, or Maybe Tennessee.” Guests include Willie Nelson’s harmonica player, Mickey Rafael, Willie’s daughter Amy (dueting with Eddie Spaghetti on “Hungover Again”), and The Black Crowes’ Audley Freed, among many others. While it’s a different sound than some ‘Suckers fans might be used to, the attitude and energy is all there. It’s much like the difference between Mike Ness’s solo material and his stuff with Social Distortion – equally good, just different. And this ‘Suckers record is right up there with Ness’s excellent solo stuff, too, as well as with The Reverend Horton Heat and the late, lamented Amazing Crowns. The shows recorded for Must’ve Been Live must’ve been a damn great time, and it really shows on the record – this really makes me wish the ‘Suckers were playing in town!
Supersuckers: http://www.supersuckers.com
