The Suzukis: The Suzukis

Leery Wigan larrikins hit the right chord.

By Peter Makowski
( Classic Rock )
published

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The Suzukis are being touted as the new musical messiahs and contenders to the Arctic Monkeys’ cardboard throne, which is a short sell on every level.

Ignore the hype and you will discover a band that has a strong sense of their own identity matched with an encyclopaedic knowledge of classic music. Powered by the ferocious drum and bass attack of Robert Warnes and Stuart Robinson, reminiscent of vintage Psychedelic Furs, they provide a solid anchor for guitarist Adam Bamford’s savage chugging wall of sound which conjures up memories of one of rock’s greatest unknown bands – The Beatings.

Chris Veasey attacks the material with an operatic sneer. On album opener Are You Happy With Yourself he sounds like an angry Mark ‘Talk Talk’ Hollis, while Reasons For Leaving is pure post Pistols Lydon.

All in all The Suzukis sound like a promising signpost for the future.

Peter Makowski
Peter Makowski

Pete Makowski joined Sounds music weekly aged 15 as a messenger boy, and was soon reviewing albums. When no-one at the paper wanted to review Deep Purple's Made In Japan in December 1972, Makowski did the honours. The following week the phone rang in the Sounds office. It was Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. "Thanks for the review," said Blackmore. "How would you like to come on tour with us in Europe?" He also wrote for Street Life, New Music News, Kerrang!, Soundcheck, Metal Hammer and This Is Rock, and was a press officer for Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Motörhead, the New York Dolls and more. Sounds Editor Geoff Barton introduced Makowski to photographer Ross Halfin with the words, “You’ll be bad for each other,” creating a partnership that spanned three decades. Halfin and Makowski worked on dozens of articles for Classic Rock in the 00-10s, bringing back stories that crackled with humour and insight. Pete died in November 2021.