My first thought upon entering the Gothic Theatre on Wednesday: “How the heck did I get in here without a tattoo?”
Some drunk guy at the bar demanded to know who I was there to see: The Railbenders or Supersuckers? I said, “Why I’m here for both,” to which he got in my face and screamed, “RAILBENDERSSSS!!!!” as if he were about to slit my throat.
Obviously he was no Supersuckers fan, because their rowdy buckaroo base are about the most polite bunch of *&^#kickers you’re ever likely to meet outside a police lineup. Get anyway near the stage and sure, they’ll leave you with a bruised rib cage — but they’ll apologize to you for it through hazy eyes and pungent MGD breath.
Eddie Spaghetti & Company treated the end of their tour like it was the end of the world, but the Seattle country rockers’ apocalyptic set was actually just a warmup for a string of shows the Suckers will be doing all through Colorado with our own beloved ‘Benders this March on their way to Austin, Texas, for the upcoming South by Southwest fest.
Spaghetti, the rare frontman who always says, “Ladies and gentlemen,” sat in for the Railbenders’ opening set (culminating with their signature take on “Sweet Caroline”), before amping it up for a sweaty, 23-song fuselade that made everyone forget it was winter outside. Songs like “Evil Powers,” and “I Like It All,” along with new tunes like “What it Takes” and “(When I Go), I’m Gone,” kept the beer flowing and the knowledge alive that yes, ZZ Top lives on – with a twang – in Seattle.
Even with a cheesy culminating cover of “The Boys Are Back in Town,” the Suckers proved once again they are “Bad, Bad, Bad.”
Super.
Video bonus
Supersuckers at the Gothic Theatre on Feb. 13, 2008
