Supersnazz's 1998 album, "Diode City," must feel like a bit of an albatross for the band. The 19-song punk-pop classic is so awesome that if you locked Supersnazz in a studio for 10 years and held a gun to their heads, they'd be unlikely to better it. On their latest album, "Rock-O-Matic," they don't even try. And it's a wise move. Weighing in at a mere eight tracks -- and Supersnazz songs are usually over in 150 seconds -- its main purpose is to serve as a reminder that the band is still out there and as relevant as ever.
Supersnazz has been one of the most reliably excellent live bands in Tokyo for the last 10 years, they have four albums under their studded belts and recently released a single on the U.S. Sympathy for the Record Industry label, which gave us The White Stripes and The Von Bondies. The new record is also a damn good excuse to get back on the road.
Supersnazz live shows are raucous, haphazard affairs. The band can play good, they can play bad, but they always look great, entertain and get the pit going mental. Co-songwriter Kanako might have left and new guitarist Marky is still just bedding in, but it's singer Spike -- like a junkie slut in her hot pants, torn fishnets and heavy black eye makeup -- and bassist Tomoko -- with a permanent buck-toothed grin -- who dominate the shows.