Altsounds - Sucioperro - Pain Agency [Album]

Leeds Festival, 22.10pm and a packed tent is ready and waiting to see Marmaduke Duke who, despite being formed six years ago, are only now starting to enjoy real commercial success. The buzz for this band is mainly due to the fact that one half of this exuberant and brightly coloured two-piece, is widely known as Biffy Clyro front man, Simon Neil. However, what is not widely known is who the other member exactly is. Even the mere question of his identity brings about puzzled looks all around and even when these ill fated people of musical ignorance are told a) the other man's name and b) what band the other man fronts, puzzled looks are replaced with mere despondency. The unknown member is of course Sucioperro front man, JP Reid and he and his band are used to the bewildered looks that often occur, when Sucioperro’s name is mentioned.

Forming in 2002, the story of Sucioperro has been one of overshadowing and understatement. Ironically then, that the very person Sucioperro’s front man, JP Reid, has decided to collaborate with on Marmaduke Duke, is the very man who’s band have dominated the exact scene Sucioperro strive to be accepted in. Of course we are on about Biffy Clyro and how the “alternative” music genre has pretty much been raped by these three Scottish blokes and their magnificent beards, leaving bands like Sucioperro chasing desperately along in their wake. Uncanny however, is the resemblance and setup that Reid and co have with the Biffy boys, that some might even go as far to say that, Sucioperro stole the very idea from them. You see both bands are made up of three Scottish fellows, with front men who sport some very fine bristle upon their faces, who like to make alt-rock, with a dash of post hardcore. Coincidental, maybe? However oddly similar their set-ups may be though, one thing for certain is that in the cruel beast that is the music industry, Sucioperro, despite being a brilliantly inventive and refreshing band, are a very underrated and overlooked musical outfit.

“Pain Agency” is the second outing by Sucioperro, following their debut “Random Acts Of Intimacy”. Despite their debut album capturing a major following in their homeland of Scotland, in particular their hometown of Ayrshire, “Random Acts Of Intimacy” never catapulted Sucioperro into the big time, something they are hoping to change with “Pain Agency” and something they deservedly should obtain with this second album.
Combining heavy and melodic music, with creativity and passion, “Pain Agency” is a breath of fresh air in a sea of bands who rely on appearance, rather than talent, to acquire a following and who have obviously learned to play their instruments at the Early Learning Centre. Tracks like the seven minute, ear battering 'Hate Filters' and 'No. 273', a brutal yet, devilishly ingenious song, that displays the more post-hardcore and metal elements of Sucioperro’s sound, are just two examples of instrumental brilliance, at its artistic best. 'Are you Convinced?' gives way to a more harmonious side of Sucioperro’s sound, as does the album finale 'I Have Reached My Limit', both being as equally good as the heavier material. Sounding like a weightier, dirtier, grungier and overall, less polished version of Biffy, one does begin to wonder then, why these boys have never broke through to the mainstream. Unfortunately though, there is an apparent reason for their lack of recognisable achievement because for all the talent these boys display on their various instruments, a key factor that does let some of the tracks down, are the lyrics.

'Liquids' and 'Mum’s Bad Punk Music' suffer the most from this unfortunate mishap that almost threatens to undo all Sucioperro’s hard work. The lyrics are mainly unimportant, boring and hollow and do nothing more than provide the music with a meaningless prop. “Beware what you are” sings JP Reid in 'Mum’s Bad Punk Music' sounding both clichéd and outdated. The words themselves could however be saved if the delivery was better. Although JP Reid is an adequate enough singer, his voice is not mesmerising and he demonstrates little variety meaning that the lyrics fail to be rescued. Thankfully however, Sucioperro may actually have grasped this point as the music does seem to take presence over the singing and lyrical content of their songs anyways.

The message then is very clear. Sucioperro do need to improve some aspects of their sound, but there is still enough positives on “Pain Agency” to win them a) critical aplomb and b) a larger and wider following. They may not be as big as Biffy Clyro and the way Maramaduke Duke has taken off since "Duke Pandemonium", JP Reid’s “side” project could easily push Sucioperro even further away from the forefront of people’s minds. Let’s just hope this isn’t the case though because Sucioperro deserve a lot more praise than they are currently getting.

If you like alternative rock with as many metal riffs as it has melodic moments then pick up a copy of “Pain Agency” and see what other bands the Scottish planes have to offer.