The Supersuckers
Encyclopedia
Supersuckers are an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...

 band. They are the self-proclaimed "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World." Following the relative success of their 1997 foray into country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 with the release of Must've Been High
Must've Been High
Must've Been High is the fourth studio album and first cowpunk album of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released March 25, 1997 on Sub Pop records.-Track listing:#"Must've Been High" – 3:28#"Dead in the Water" – 2:14...

, they have also been known to play country shows under various names, including, of course, the Supersuckers.

As of November 2009, the members are Eddie Spaghetti on bass and lead vocals; "Metal" Marty Chandler and Dan "Thunder" Bolton on guitars; and Scott Churilla on drums.

History

Supersuckers formed in 1988 as The Black Supersuckers in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...

, AZ
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

. The original line-up was Eddie Spaghetti on bass, Dan "Thunder" Bolton and Rontrose Heathman on guitars, Dancing Eagle on drums, and Eric Martin as the lead singer. In 1989, they moved to Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...

, WA. Here, Eric Martin left the band. The song "Marie" was allegedly dedicated to Martin's mother after his death. The remaining members decided to continue as a four piece with Eddie Spaghetti taking over the vocalist role. They recorded numerous singles for various small labels before being signed to Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...

. A sampling of these are collected on the 1992 release The Songs All Sound the Same
The Songs All Sound the Same
The Songs All Sound the Same is a singles collection by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Originally released in 1992on eMpty Records. This album led ultimately to the signing of the band with Sub Pop...

. Their first album with Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...

, The Smoke of Hell
The Smoke of Hell
The Smoke of Hell is the first studio album from the American rock and roll band The Supersuckers. It was released onSeptember 1, 1992 on Sub Pop records...

, was released in 1992.

In 1995, guitarist Rontrose Heathman temporarily left the band. He was replaced by Rick Sims, formerly of the band the Didjits (and later the Gaza Strippers
Gaza Strippers
Gaza Strippers were an American garage punk band from Chicago formed by Rick Sims, who had previously played guitar with The Supersuckers and The Didjits. The group released its debut on Man's Ruin Records in 1999, and followed with a Lookout! Records full-length the following year...

), for the recording of their third album, The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers
The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers
The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers is the third studio album of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released August 8, 1995 on Sub Pop.The word sacrilicious is a portmanteau of sacrilegious and delicious...

, and the subsequent tour. Heathman returned for the recording of their fourth album, Must've Been High
Must've Been High
Must've Been High is the fourth studio album and first cowpunk album of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released March 25, 1997 on Sub Pop records.-Track listing:#"Must've Been High" – 3:28#"Dead in the Water" – 2:14...

, which, as their first alternative country
Alternative country
Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...

 album, was a major turning point for the band. Their fifth and final album with Sub-Pop was their greatest hits release, 1999's
How the Supersuckers Became the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World
How the Supersuckers Became the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World
Greatest hits album covering the years 1988 to 1998 of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Released August 24, 1999, it chronicles the Supersuckers during the yearsthey were signed to Sub Pop.-Track listing:# "Coattail Rider" – 2:30...

. That same year they released their fifth studio album, The Evil Powers of Rock 'N' Roll
The Evil Powers of Rock 'N' Roll
Fifth studio recording by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released October 19, 1999 on KOCH records.-Track listing:#"The Evil Powers of Rock 'n' Roll" – 3:05#"Cool Manchu" – 3:06#"I Want the Drugs" – 1:21#"Santa Rita High" – 2:56...

. In 2001, the band formed their own record label, Mid-Fi Recordings. In addition to numerous singles and several live recordings, the band released their sixth studio album, Motherfuckers Be Trippin'
Motherfuckers Be Trippin'
The sixth studio album by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released April 22, 2003 on the band's own label, Mid-Fi Recordings. The album's title comes from the name jokingly announced by the New Bomb Turks as the title of their upcoming album while on tour with Supersuckers...

 on this label. Dancing Eagle then left the group and was replaced by Mike "Murderburger" Musburger, who was in turn later replaced by Scott "Scottzilla" Churilla. Their most recent studio release is Get It Together in 2008. On tour, the Supersuckers always close their show with a "fake encore," where the band and the audience go through a 15 second pretend exit and stage entrance.

Recent years have found The Supersuckers in disarray as both their longtime manager Chris Neal and Rontrose Heathman parted ways with the band for undisclosed reasons. The band officially announced a hiatus, during which Eddie Spaghetti continued to tour and record solo. He eventually abandoned The Supersucker's own Mid-Fi Records label and signed with Bloodshot Records
Bloodshot Records
Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...

 in November 2010. His new solo album came out on February 15 and is titled "Sundowner". In the meantime Supersuckers have been touring alongside Thin Lizzy in Europe. The Supersucker's official website has been inactive and directs visitors to their Facebook page.

Associations

Supersuckers have recorded with many artists including: Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...

, Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....

, Kelley Deal
Kelley Deal
Kelley Deal is an American musician. The identical twin sister of Kim Deal, she is the lead guitarist of The Breeders, besides having a solo career.- Early days :...

 of The Breeders
The Breeders
The Breeders are an American alternative rock band formed in 1988 by Kim Deal of the Pixies and Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses. The band has experienced a number of line-up changes; the current line-up consists of Kim Deal , her twin sister Kelley Deal , Jose Medeles , Mando Lopez Todd the Fox...

, and Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...

 of Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...

. They have appeared on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...

 with Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...

 backing Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...

. They have toured with numerous bands
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...

 such as Mudhoney, Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...

, Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...

, The Ramones, Motörhead, Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...

, Toadies
Toadies
Toadies are an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas, best known for the song "Possum Kingdom." The band's classic lineup consisted of Todd Lewis on vocals/guitar, Mark Reznicek on drums, Lisa Umbarger on bass, and Darrel Herbert on guitar. It formed in 1989 and disbanded in 2001 after...

, Supagroup
Supagroup
Supagroup is a rock and roll band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They were formed in the mid-1990s by brothers Chris Lee and Benji Lee from Anchorage, Alaska. Both were students at Tulane University and started playing together as SAP or Shit Ass Punks. Previously, Chris had played bass in New...

, the Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...

, The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician Jim Heath as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist....

, The New York Dolls, The Dwarves, White Zombie, and Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy is an American hard rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their musical style mixes boogie rock, Southern metal and psychobilly. Much of the band's lyrical themes mostly revolve around sex, drugs, drinking, fighting, and rock 'n' roll...

. The Murder City Devils name check Eddie Spaghetti in their song "Lemuria Rising."

Causes

The band has been involved in several charitable causes over their career, notably playing a few
Farm Aid
Farm Aid
Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, held to raise money for family farmers in the United States...

 shows. But the cause they seem to tout above all others, apart from themselves,
is that of the West Memphis 3
West Memphis 3
The West Memphis Three are three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. was sentenced to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin was...

. They have held a number of eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...

 auctions and concerts
to benefit the three's legal defense fund, in addition to being involved in a benefit album
entitled Free the West Memphis 3
Free the West Memphis 3
Free the West Memphis 3 is a compilation album released in 2000 on the KOCH Records label as a benefit for the legal defense of the West Memphis 3. The album was organized by Eddie Spaghetti of Supersuckers...

, of which Eddie Spaghetti was one of the producers.

The band also played at the VladiROCKstok
VladiROCKstok
VladiROCKstok '96 was the first major international music Festival in Vladivostok, Russia, taking place on September 21, 1996. The festival was founded by co-Executive Producers David Poritzky and Dan Gotham, who led a team of more than 100 Russians and international volunteers...

 '96 Music Festival in Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...

, Russia. According to a CBS News report, Russian fans enjoyed their hard-driving style and cowboy hats, while the festival supported Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth International is an international network of environmental organizations in 76 countries.FOEI is assisted by a small secretariat which provides support for the network and its agreed major campaigns...

 and a local children's fund. According to lore, the heavy police presence and temporary stage barriers inspired their song "Barricade."

In the late 90's a "Supersuckers fan collective" organized a pair of tribute CDs (covers of Supersuckers songs performed by underground bands from around the globe) benefiting The West Memphis 3
West Memphis 3
The West Memphis Three are three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. was sentenced to life imprisonment plus two 20-year sentences, and Jason Baldwin was...

. These titles were "The Fans All Sound Insane" and "Song in the Key of E-vil".

As of March 2010 the band has also played the ongoing BurghSTOCK(kinda like the Pittsburgh area's version of Woodstock)Concert Series twice. Proceeds go to local non-profits that help homeless military veterans reclaim their lives.

Current members

  • Eddie Spaghetti (born Edward Carlyle Daly III in 1967) – bass (1988–present), lead vocals (1989–present)
  • Dan "Thunder" Bolton – guitars, backing vocals (1988–2003, 2005–present)
  • Scott "Scottzilla" Churilla – drums (2006–present)
  • "Metal" Marty Chandler – guitars, backing vocals (2009–present)

Former members

  • Dancing Eagle – drums, backing vocals (1988–2005)
  • Rick Sims – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1996)
  • Dusty Watson
    Dusty Watson
    Dusty Watson is an independent American drummer who has played in a number of notable bands, as well as backed up famous solo artists.Earning a scholarship to Stan Kenton Band Clinics and joining the Musicians Union at age 17 allowed Dusty to become a professional drummer at a young age...

    – drums (2005–2006)
  • Eric Martin – lead vocals (1988–1989)
  • Ron "Rontrose" Heathman – guitars, backing vocals (1988–1995, 1996–2009)

Albums

  • The Songs All Sound the Same
    The Songs All Sound the Same
    The Songs All Sound the Same is a singles collection by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Originally released in 1992on eMpty Records. This album led ultimately to the signing of the band with Sub Pop...

     — 1992, eMpty Records (singles collection)
  • The Smoke of Hell
    The Smoke of Hell
    The Smoke of Hell is the first studio album from the American rock and roll band The Supersuckers. It was released onSeptember 1, 1992 on Sub Pop records...

     — 1992, Sub Pop
  • Good Livin' Platter-1993 — Recorded as Junkyard Dogs. Album of cover songs done country style.
  • La Mano Cornuda
    La Mano Cornuda
    La Mano Cornuda is the second studio album by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released March 1, 1994 on Sub Pop. The title is Spanish for the horned hand, a reference to the hand sign often seen at rock and roll shows....

     — 1994, Sub Pop
  • The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers
    The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers
    The Sacrilicious Sounds of the Supersuckers is the third studio album of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released August 8, 1995 on Sub Pop.The word sacrilicious is a portmanteau of sacrilegious and delicious...

     — 1995, Sub Pop
  • Must've Been High
    Must've Been High
    Must've Been High is the fourth studio album and first cowpunk album of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released March 25, 1997 on Sub Pop records.-Track listing:#"Must've Been High" – 3:28#"Dead in the Water" – 2:14...

     — 1997, Sub-Pop (country)
  • How the Supersuckers Became the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World
    How the Supersuckers Became the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World
    Greatest hits album covering the years 1988 to 1998 of the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Released August 24, 1999, it chronicles the Supersuckers during the yearsthey were signed to Sub Pop.-Track listing:# "Coattail Rider" – 2:30...

     — 1999, Sub Pop
  • The Evil Powers of Rock 'N' Roll
    The Evil Powers of Rock 'N' Roll
    Fifth studio recording by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released October 19, 1999 on KOCH records.-Track listing:#"The Evil Powers of Rock 'n' Roll" – 3:05#"Cool Manchu" – 3:06#"I Want the Drugs" – 1:21#"Santa Rita High" – 2:56...

     — 1999, KOCH
  • Must've Been Live
    Must've Been Live
    Live country album by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers.It was released November 2001 on Mid-Fi Recordings.-Track listing:# "Dead in the Water" – 2:23# "Good Livin'" – 2:12# "Roamin' Round" – 3:02# "Roadworn and Weary" – 4:07# "The Captain" – 4:22...

     — 2002, Mid-Fi (live) (country)
  • Splitsville 1
    Splitsville 1
    A split album by the American rock and roll bands Supersuckers and Electric Frankenstein. It was originally released in 2002.-Track listing:Supersuckers:#"Then I'm Gone"#"Shit Fire"#"Devil's Food"#"Kid's got it Comin'"...

     — 2002 (split with Electric Frankenstein
    Electric Frankenstein
    Electric Frankenstein is an American band from Whippany, Clifton, and other areas of New Jersey. Their music is generally considered punk rock, but includes elements of hard rock and Heavy Metal as well...

    )
  • Motherfuckers Be Trippin'
    Motherfuckers Be Trippin'
    The sixth studio album by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. It was released April 22, 2003 on the band's own label, Mid-Fi Recordings. The album's title comes from the name jokingly announced by the New Bomb Turks as the title of their upcoming album while on tour with Supersuckers...

     — 2003, Mid-Fi
  • Live at the Magic Bag
    Live at the Magic Bag
    Live recording by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Released in 2004, it was recorded live at The Magic Bag in Ferndale, Michigan.-Track listing:#"Rock 'n' Roll Records"#"Rock Your Ass"#"Bad, Bad, Bad"#"The Evil Powers of Rock 'n' Roll"...

     — 2004, Mid-Fi (live)
  • Live at the Tractor Tavern
    Live at the Tractor Tavern
    Live country recording by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers. Released in 2004, it was recorded live at a bar called The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington.-Track listing:# "Creepy Jackalope Eye" – 3:40# "Doublewide" – 2:40# "Sail On" – 4:12...

     — 2004, Mid-Fi (live) (country)
  • Devil's Food
    Devil's Food
    Devil's Food is a singles compilation by the American rock and roll band Supersuckers released inApril 2005 on Mid-Fi records.-Track listing:#"Gato Negro"#"Shake It Off"#"Hey Ya"#"Teenage Shutdown"#"Doublewide" #"Team Man"...

     — 2005, Mid-Fi (singles collection)
  • Paid — 2006
  • Live at Bart's CD Cellar & Record Shop — 2006, Mid-Fi (live)http://store.supersuckers.com/index.php?fuseaction=item_cat.ecom_superitem_detail&item_cat_id=74
  • Live at the Whole Foods Market Digital Download; 2007
  • Get It Together — 2008

Singles

7" Single Releases on the Sub Pop label
  • SP125 Like A Big Fuckin' Train / Luck / I Say Fuck / Caliente / Retarded Bill / Four Stroke 7"
  • SP170 Hell City Hell / Dead Homiez 7"
  • SP225 She's My Bitch / Drinkin N Drivin 7"
  • SP249 400 Bucks / Caliente 7" (With The Reverend Horton Heat)
  • SP296 Born With A Tail / Are You Ready? 7"
  • SP314 Born With A Tail / Run Like A Motherfucker 7"
  • SP315 Marie / 19th Most Powerful Woman In Rock 7"
  • SP384 Leave This Town / Mother Mary 7"


External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK