Supersuckers + Nashville Pussy @ Birmingham Barfly – 16th April 2009
Unfortunately, I missed the first band, The Grit, as they went on stage exceptionally early. However, I am reliably informed, that they are five punks from Newcastle who did the job.
Next on stage, is the flamboyant Nashville Pussy. They enter to a commentary explaining all the different types of pussy available whilst Tom Jones sings What’s New Pussycat? From then on, it is a pure onslaught of filthy rock’n’roll. Starting with Speed Machine, taken from their latest album, From Hell to Texas, Nashville Pussy mean business. Despite the tongue in cheek nature of their lyrics, Nashville Pussy are musically tight and continue to churn out track after track with the same vigour and dirtiness as the last, including High as Hell, Heart Attack and I’m So High.
Half way through the set, they undertake a version of the Tina Turner classic, Nutbush, which they make their own and is comparable to the Black Diamond Heavies excellent attempt of the same track. The rest of the performance sustains the high level of energy which the majority of the audience are appreciating, with Late, Great USA, Drunk Driving Man and Go Motherfucker Go. Blaine Cartwright continually reminds the crowd that he deserves some weed and, to be fair, after that hour long show, he is not wrong.
The headline act are the Supersuckers, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock’n’Roll Band in the World”, who have been making music for the past twenty one years, and, therefore, have a vast back catalogue. The set list consists of twenty six songs with additional question marks, suggesting that there is room for expansion. Supersuckers commence with That is Rock’n’Roll and the first thing that registers is the volume; they are bloody loud. Continuing in the same vein as Nashville Pussy, Supersuckers whack you round the face with straight down the line rock’n’roll, that does the job. Eddie Spaghetti’s trademark Stetson and shades, emphasise the attitude conveyed through the music, whilst one of the guitarist’s reminds me of a young DLT but without treble top. Most of the crowd are obviously dedicated fans, singing along with every word and dancing around, embroiled in the rock. The set dips with a collection of three of their new songs; Anything Else, Something Good for You, and When I Go I’m Gone, which seem to lose the momentum created in the early part of the set. However, they soon regain form when Eddie straps on his acoustic guitar and embarks on a number of country tracks from their back catalogue, including Good Livin’, Roamin’ Round and Roadworm and Weary. For me, this is the best part of the set, every song is a winner, the ultimate being Non-Addictive Marijuana, and the band manage to maintain their rock edge throughout.
The band return to full on electric action till the end of the set, which includes Coattail Rider and no encore. Eddie proclaims his dislike of encores as it prevents them from playing more songs, instead, he gives the audience a choice of Thin Lizzy tracks for them to play, the winning vote going to Dancing in the Moonlight. Supersuckers continue on, but at this point I have to admit to being distracted. I don’t have a long attention span at the best of times and not being an ardent Supersuckers fan, I found the set too long, but I am definitely in the minority as most of the crowd are lapping up every minute in the presence of the band. All in all, the whole night was good, honest rock’n’roll from start to finish, courtesy of two bands that knew exactly what they were doing.
Review – Toni Woodward
Photos – John Colson