SUCK IT

In 2003, the Supersuckers released a song called "Rock-N-Roll Records (Ain't Selling This Year)," in which 'Suckers leader Eddie Spaghetti lamented the fact that hard-working bands like his own weren't getting a fair shake in the marketplace. Fifteen years later, the Supersuckers have dropped their 11th studio album, Suck It, and the second track, "The History of Rock N Roll," reminds us not much has changed -- bad bands usually rule the roost, and great bands are often regarded as historical footnotes. This time around, Spaghetti at least gives a shout-out to other acts in the same boat as himself (including Mudhoney, the Bell Rays, Zen Guerilla, the New Bomb Turks, and the Dwarves, among others), but while the newer song is solid and anthemic, it covers the rowdy territory the Supersuckers have claimed as their own for three decades and counting. Eddie and his bandmates (Metal Marty Chandler on guitar and Capt. All Nighter Von Streicher on drums) still sound tight and furious, like the greatest arena rock band to never set foot on an arena stage, and once again, the Supersuckers are cranking out beefy guitar riffs, pounding the drums, celebrating bad behavior of all sorts, occasionally ruing the consequences, and declaring themselves the greatest rock & roll band in the world. It's all good over-the-top fun, and the cover of ZZ Top's "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers," with Jesse Dayton joining in on vocals, sums up this band's view of the world as well as anyone could hope. ~ Mark Deming