It seems that punk today isn’t about destroying the establishment, it’s just about MTV-friendly good time tunes. With some ballsy production behind it, the title track could be a hit with “sk8er bois” everywhere, while the acoustic pop of “Tomorrow’s Story” wouldn’t be out of place soundtracking a US highschool movie. They’re not going to change the world, and they sure as hell aren’t original, but nor do they try to be – these days, punks just wanna have fun.

I last came across local punk rockers sucka during the observers very own battle of the bands competition last year. Playing upbeat, positive punk, the band endeared themselves to the crowd and the judges with their energy and enthusiasm, rather than perhaps their musicianship or the catchiness of their songs. Since then brothers craig (guitar)and Ashley (drums), along with newcomer Ben (bass) have been hard at work on their first cd single.
'Goodbyes the hardest part'. The last decade has been difficult for a punk rock scene which has struggled to maintain it's relevancy amongst mainstream rock and the growing popularity of more melodic eclectic alternative music. it's this constant pressure to acheive 'origonality' which may ultimately be sucka's undoing. Despite producing fast paced, pleasant music.
'Goodbye's The Hardest part' gives nothing to the genre which we haven't heard a thousand times before. the title track is akin to early Rancid or Pennywise material but lacks the urgency or aggression which catapulted their idols into world recognition, let alone break into the lower echelons of the british music industry. Little is improved with the b-side 'Ska song', an uninspired ditty which sounds as generic as its title suggests. Interestingly the highlight of the release is the short acoustic track 'Tomorrows story', a slower heartfelt call to arms which showcases a softer, lyrically mature side to the band ('youthink your life is so perfect/but i'll tell you nothing comes for free'). Unfortunately it's not to disimiliar to something your mate could have written in a few hours and played to you down the beach.
it isn't the case that Sucka are a bad band, writing bad songs. This review would be a whole lot easier if they were. 'Goodbyes The Hardest Part' is an enjoyable song, with a sing-a-long chorus which will probably inspire fists to be thumped during the band's impressive live performances. Also, Sucka's energy makes them one of the better young bands to emerge from the local scene in recent years. The problem is that you'd be hard presed to seperate them from a thousand other bands. This isn't the last we'll hear of Sucka, and i hope they come back stronger than ever to prove me wrong.

Sucka's previous cd releases have been a tad predictable - aggressive pop-punk. They have always prided themselves on sounding good, and I have never been disappointed in the past. But now for something different! The latest EP has a more defined sound, moving away from the run of the mill pop-punk for something a little more anger fueled, and raw, infact the "pop element" has almost been removed without the band losing the "Sucka feel" to the music!

The cd opens with NS2 - pumped to the brim with aggression and raw guitar work by front man Craig Springle, its clear to see that he wants to create a new feel for the bands music. To be noticed rather than blend in. Every Waking Hour follows on with another new twist. Sucka have recruited a female vocalist for parts in this song, I dunno whether they will be able to recreate this song live, but it is definatly interesting. Strong bass lines throughout and a somewhat somber feel at times, again another clear cut move away from the standard pop-punk band sound.

For those diehard Sucka fans who remember their debut cd, there is a song called Punk@Heart which still makes it into the set list on a regular occasion. The cd this song was released on was recorded in a bathroom on a old 8-track. Now for the first time we have a professionally recorded version of the song, which is awesome, as it would have been a shame to let such a good song go to waste.

James Watts left the band a while ago under circumstances that were not heavily publicised. Now the title track "One For James" which in a way is a tribute to quiet, outspoken bassist. This song not the strongest on the EP but still with a youthful aggression. Craig's vocals come across as a little weak on this song at times, but this is made up for by the general quality of this EP.

Don't Need You is a somewhat more upbeat offering about the downfalls of relationships. Its lyrical meaning is a real happy contrast to the happy punk rock music in which the lyrics fall. I really like this song, and for me it is the best track on the EP, not far behind the previously released "Tell Me It's Ok" which completes Sucka's latest offering.

wow, what a great cd, this is amazing. i saw this band live and thought they were ok but nothing special. they're a lot better on this cd. filled with pop punklinks and lyrics. wow. i can't say i like all their stuff as some of it's a bit too poppy but a lot of it i really do like. if you can get hold of this cd then do so because theres no way you'll regret it. anyway i think its well worth what i paid for it (nothing) so go and find it. look out for their tours this year.

First up in the Old Farts category were local punksters Sucka, who have received encouraging reviews in the local press and have been described as a an up-and-coming band with huge prospects. Looking like a cast of wannabes from auditions of TV comedy “The Young Ones” with scruffy brown shirts, loosened ties and spiked mohicans, the band show exactly what all the fuss is about with an exciting raw punk energy you would associate with the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks. Sucka were my personal favourites to progress and they have an exciting future.

And finally we’ve got some news on a young up-and-coming band to watch out for. English punks, sucka. Hailing from the aldershot scene which spawned hundred reasons, sucka have a classic punk sound and there are several good tracks on their ‘the course of adolescent youth’ e.p, Particularly ‘drunk date’ and ‘shortstoopidsong’, which rock with old-school punk energy and make you want to pogo like a loon. It’s a promising e.p – find out more about sucka at www.sucka-uk.com.

Sucka
Punky pop/rock metal…. They got some energy in there and hey what did you do today anyway? Energetic glammy teenage bubble gum punk pop. They sound like their ambition is to be like those early Manics days or the Undertones or something – no personality yet though, no real X factor, nothing to shout about, come back back and challenge us a bit more, send us something that makes us want to shout about your band, right now we don’t have much to say