New York, NY (Top40 Charts / Dirty Water Records) HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE INEXPLICABLE?
There is no way to accurately describe Atomic Suplex, though many have tried: rock and roll mayhem... loud, raucous, trashy, punky, rock and roll... like Guitar Wolf on mescaline... That might give you some idea.
However, Atomic Suplex are one of the best live bands you could ever see, or even imagine. Screaming guitars, brutal, primal drumming and a twisted, wailing saxophone cutting through it all. Half of the band look like they're being electrocuted on stage, and Atomic Suplex himself - resplendent in his fringed leather jacket, flying V guitar in hand and face covered by a miked-up motorcycle helmet through which he sings - is one of the most mesmerising characters on stage today.
But don't get the idea that this is a bunch of macho nitwits. The whole thing is done with a sense of humour and is a joy to behold. Their debut album - on Crypt Records, no less - includes such numbers as 'Rock & Roll Machine', 'Rock & Roll Action', 'Rock & Roll Is Never Going To Die', 'Rock & Roll Must Die' and, of course, 'I Am Rock & Roll.'
And while their live shows might look chaotic on the surface, they can all play their instruments and are actually having, you know, fun. Remember that? Atomic Suplex have toured
Europe and Asia sharing the stage with such luminaries as The Hives, Guitar Wolf, The Gories, The Adolescents, Nobunny, The Kids, Jet Boys, Armitage Shanks, Richard Herring, The Spits, The Fat White Family, The Buzzcocks, Theee Bat, and many more. One review of their debut said, "This is not a band for the faint of heart. They play the sort of ultra-raw vicious garage rock that only exists in Jack White's nightmares."
The only things I can think of that come close to the sheer sonic chaos on here are Danko Jones' 'I'm Alive and On Fire' and the
Jim Jones Revue's 'Here to Save Your Soul'. Every song is a one to two minute burst of distorted guitars, insane vocals, the occasional bit of sax and not one second of thinking that they ought to drop the tempo or volume to anything approaching normality. And, you know what? It's brilliant. If you want some raw, visceral rock'n'roll thrills this band comes highly recommended. Just prepare for the need to go and lie down in a darkened room after listening to them."
About Dirty Water Records
The Dirty Water Club started in October 1996 in the Tufnell Park neighbourhood of north London, at a venue called The Boston. The club's name is derived from The Standells' hit 'Dirty Water' which glorifies the US city of Boston, Massachusetts.
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