Reviews

2011
08.14

“It’s no bullshit, roots based, rock and roll – with stoic rhythms and more than a just nod to the 1950’s originators of this wonderful thing we call rock and roll. It’s like Elvis and PJ Harvey got it on at a party thrown by The Cramps. Not many people can get away with saying Boogaloo these days – but, ladies and gentlemen – Labretta Suede not only gets away with it – she manages to get you to shake it too. Owwww” – Andrew Tidball – Cheese on Toast (NZ)

“I saw a band called Labretta Suede and the Motel Six on new years eve – they were bloody good. They showed up in a ’74 valiant regal with the plates “V8 Val” – I thought that was bloody good too.” -Andrew 426 New Plymouth (NZ)

“Sexy, swaggering Rock ‘n’ Roll with attitude to burn. Try not giving in to dancing or sing-along and you will surely fail.”- NZ Musician Magazine (NZ)

” If you like your rock chunky and unpretentious, and your drinks hard, straight and in a dirty glass, then this one if for you.” – Deadbeat Magazine (AUS)

“This is punk rockabilly at its goddamn low-down and dirty best. One full hunka throbbin’ vinyl.’ 4 star review” – Groove Guide – Tim Gruar (NZ)

“And did I tell you that this girl can holler? From that diminutive frame spews forth a voice that is two parts Wanda Jackson to one part Iggy Pop. You can feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise up in time to her whoops and yelps before the band slams you against the back wall. Exciting? That’s what I’m clueing you in on here, brothers and sisters. After one listen, you’re gonna want to take that band home on CD (at the very least).” Bob Short, I94 Bar (AUS)

“This is true timeless Rock ‘n’ Roll at its finest and there‘s no doubt about it. In your face, impassioned, it’s seriously irresistible.”
New Zealand Musician Magazine Oct/ Nov issue – Ania Glowacz (NZ)

“Slapping this disc into my stereo, it felt like stumbling into a back-alley bar I’d never heard of let alone been to before and finding a band and a crowd existing in a vacuum, all the better for it. I imagine the production ethic lends much to this feeling – it captures a wide-ranging live feel pretty well, from the more raucous party starters to the drawn-out, small-hours jams. Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 play a versatile brand of rock with elements of rockabilly, jazz and blues. It absolutely oozes fun and good times. Labretta herself boasts a relatively husky (yet sexy) voice akin to Polly Jean Harvey, with a mastery of everything from a flat, slow croon to a piercing squeal. It’s a range that’s well utilised throughout Not Food Hungry, and coupled with the band’s aforementioned instrumental versatility, it makes for an intriguing, undeniably satisfying package. I look forward to the day I do stumble into such a bar.”-  Chris Leggett, Real Groove Magazine (NZ)
“LABRETTA SUEDE AND THE MOTEL 6 – Not Food Hungry: What do you combine a hot female vocalist and musicians who play a blend of Garage, Blues and Rockabilly? You get New Zealand band Labretta Suede and The Motel 6 who kick ass both image and music wise. This twelve track album is a testament to how a Garage band should sound like and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it from start to finish. There’s some great tracks on here including ‘Holler’, ‘New Orleans’, ‘Girls Like Betty’ and ‘Mr Mysterious’. I really enjoyed this album that much that it was turned up full when writing this review but my neighbours didn’t get the same appreciation but fuck them they’re boring fuckers anyway. How could anyone complain about the brilliance coming from this album? Labretta Suede really does do the business vocal wise on here delivering every word with passion. Johnny Moon Dog and Jay L really do a great job on guitar and bass and their style of play really make this album what it is. They play in a style that many Garage bands try but don’t quite get it right. Love this album to bits and anyone into the Garage sound will love this too. Not only that but this comes well packaged with a great booklet of shots which includes a rear shot of Labretta Suede. She’s got the best ass in Rock N Roll without a doubt. 9/10.” – Street Voice (UK)