Super 400: Sweet Fist, out September 15

Over here in Chicago I don’t think many of us have heard of Super 400 yet…. Yet. This is about to change, and that is going to be a great thing. Super 400 is a trio from Troy, NY that is completely rock and roll. I mean through and through rock and roll. Hard hitting, bluesy, and grinding that bass beat into the place in the pit of your stomach that makes you just a little queasy if you stand too close to the speakers, their new album, Sweet Fist has been on constant rotation in my car for the past 24 hours. And I’ve had it for-ever. I forgot I had it, and I’ll tell you why because I want to get one thing off my chest before going on about what I really love about this record.

You see, the reason I had forgotten about this album; the reason I had in the back of my mind that maybe it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, was that the hidden gem of the album is track #4. I kinda have this unspoken rule here at Chez Tart to not criticize a band unless they’re really very established and popular and can afford to take it, (hence my recent appointment of Art Brut as current whipping boy band.) But this is a mistake that so many bands unknowingly make that I’m going to use Super 400 as an example, sorry guys! Here’s the thing, you really need to put the killer tracks at #1, #2, and especially #3. Sweet Fist starts out with “Needle Down” and I find that to be a great song to get ya going. Kenny Hohman has a true rock n roll voice, and he puts it to perfect use on this track’s lyrics. He uses just enough whine, drawing out the notes at the end of the phrase just enough to remind you of the master vocalists of the seventies without mimicking them. Like other songs on the album, “Needle Down” changes tempo a few times, but it does so with smooth transitions and a nice build to the end. Track #2 is good, but it doesn’t hold my attention as much as the first and track #3 is a grower. I love “FFMN” (Fear Forget My Name) on the fourth or fifth listen, it’s got an amazingly funky hook to it but it wasn’t my favorite song at first. So there, I had three songs that were great to ok. I totally forgot about track #4 which had blown me out of the water when I first heard it on their website. Damn! Most people will give a band three songs before turning a record off or leaving a bar. It’s wicked-cruel, but ask a blogger or a critic and they’ll pretty much tell you the same thing. I’m sorry we’re so mean, honest I am.

Yesterday I played the whole album through again and realized my mistake. I also dug around and saw that “Flashlight”, track #4 was the single released for Sweet Fist and was also in production for the soon-to-be-released video. It’s a great song featuring bass player, Lori Friday on lead vocals. Hearing it puts the rest of the album in perspective. I could give you ten bands from the past 30 years that I hear reflected in the music of Super 400 and that is certainly not a criticism. They’ve learned from their heroes and carefully woven together something that echos the best sounds of rock’s heritage.  “Sand Hill,” and another favorite of mine, “I Thought It Was The End” show the depth and versatility of this seasoned band. Intricate guitar work coupled with the ability to just hunker down and really rock it when necessary makes Super 400 the kind of band that music lovers of different genres will find appealing. Hearing this album now makes me really want to see them live, and darlings that’s the whole point now isn’t it? So, don’t read this review as a back-handed compliment. It’s not at all. Super 400 is a very talented band with a great following already and when they hit the road to give you this album you will really miss out if you don’t come out and support them, they are gonna really impress you, live! Pre-order Sweet Fist here.

Tour Details (more dates added soon)
Aug 6 2009 7:00P Market Block Party Syracuse, New York
Aug 7 2009 9:00P The Electric Company Utica, New York
Aug 21 2009 8:00P Mexicali Blues Cafe Teaneck, New Jersey
Aug 22 2009 8:00P Wheeliefest 11 Rowland, Pennsylvania
Sep 11 2009 9:00P Revolution Hall ALBUM RELEASE PARTY Troy, New York
Oct 9 2009 10:00P Ralph’s Diner Worcester, Massachusetts