Supersuckers - Oct 23
After two weeks on the road around the UK, the Supersuckers / The Warner E Hodges Band co headline tour has rolled into London and the Islington O2 Academy. I saw the first night of the tour in Reading (see my previous review) and tonight would be the end of the tour, so it would be interesting to see how the two shows compare.  Reviews from the intervening shows have praised how the bands have jelled, frequently joining each other to play a few songs, so it looks promising.

First up we have Desperate Measures NZ opening the night with their angry punk rock. Eugene Butcher has surrounded himself with some of the best musicians on the London scene and they make a fantastic sound. New single ‘Sublime Destruction’ is a prime slab of hook filled fast punk rock and shows promise for next year’s debut album. With songs such enjoyable as ‘Back to the Rats’ and ‘Flowers at Your Door’ in their repertoire and some cracking support slots, the band can look forward to greater things. Desperate Measures - Oct 23 Back in Reading, The Warner E Hodges Band took the top spot after an incendiary performance by Supersuckers. It was a hard act to follow and they just about pulled it off. Would tonight be any different with the band coming on before Supersuckers.

There’s a change of set from last time and the slow grinding burn of ‘Gunslinger’ opens the show. Warner’s Nashville drawl is spot on as the band muscle through the riff heavy song and there’s time for some searing solo guitar work. This feels much heavier than before and sets the tone for the rest of the night. New song ‘Red Devil Road’ continues with the squealing guitars and bar room boogie. It’s sure to become a firm live favourite.

The Warner E Hodges Band - Oct 23
The rocky tempo continues through the set until Warner asks if he can play some country – course he can and ‘The Magician’ takes us down to the sleazy dives of backwater USA. Another new song, the banjo inspired ‘Shine’ is played incredibly heavy tonight and is a highlight of the set. ‘The Hard Way’ and ‘Back in Town’ follow and the band are winning over any doubters in the audience. The Warner E Hodges Band - Oct 23 It wouldn’t be a Warner show without at least one Jason and the Scorchers song and tonight we get two in the form of the excellent ‘Bible and a Gun’ and ‘White Lies’. Metal Marty joins the band to add a third guitar and shortly after Eddie Spaghetti has also got in on the act to demonstrate how much the two bands have bonded on the tour. I’ve heard Warner and the band play John Denver’s ‘Country Roads’ many times, but tonight was the heaviest, most intoxicating version I have heard and the crowd loved it. Finishing with their raucous version of the Pistols’ Holidays in the Sun’ interspersed with ‘White Lighting’ the band leave the stage to huge cheers.I’ve seen Warner play over a dozen times and this night was one of the best. Being on the road with Supersuckers has clearly made the band up their game and it showed tonight. The Warner E Hodges Band - Oct 23
Tucson’s rock n roll exponents Supersuckers take the stage to a mighty roar from the crowd and launch into the adrenaline filled block of jubilant rock that is ‘All of the Time’.  Combining the power of Motorhead and the riffs of the Ramones, the song is a sledgehammer to the head and there can’t be that many opening songs better than this to get people bouncing around.  

Supersuckers - Oct 23
The immaculately dressed Eddie Spaghetti continues to look like the coolest cowboy on the scene whilst Metal Marty has the look of a man who has seen every truck stop in the US, guitar in hand as he travelled the dusty roads. Keeping the rhythm at the back is the equally cool Chango who pounds those drums without breaking sweat. The tunes keep coming with the likes of ‘The Evil Powers of Rock n Roll’, ‘Dead Inside’ and ‘Roadworn and Weary’ giving Marty ample room to abuse his guitar with the dirtiest of riffs around. Supersuckers - Oct 23 ‘The History of Rock n Roll’ suitably namechecks the likes of Rocket From the Crypt, the Dirtbombs, Mudhoney and the mighty Bellrays in their celebration of American rock. As always Marty gets to sing a few of his own songs including the glam rock infused ‘Idaho, Baby’ where Warner joins the band for the rest of the set. Supersuckers - Oct 23 ‘Pretty Fucked Up’ follows and Warner adds his magic to the song. From here onwards it’s another meeting of the bands as Ben Marsden joins the action for some juicy guitar sparing with Marty and Warner.  Both bands have clearly had fun on this tour and the camaraderie is clear to see as they bring the set to a thrilling end.
Supersuckers - Oct 23 When this tour was announced it was uncertain how well the two contrasting bands would appeal to the more partisan fans in their respective camps. Judging by the applause at the end of tonight, it was clear that all had been unified by an enduring love for exhilarating rock n roll in its many forms.

Supersuckers - Oct 23