#47: The Superspecs

Look around, check out me, the greatest pimp from New Jersey

After a day off the countdown continues with The Superspecs, straight out of Bergen County, New Jersey

Wiki Says: no entry

Myspace says: Straight outta Jersey, The Specs are a six-piece flamethrower of rock energy. With the urgency and attitude of punk, the melodic sensibilities of pop, and enough rock riffs to rock your face clean off, The Specs form a sound that represents what they love, and not the current trend of the week (fleeingthescene.com).

Discovery: Project H.A.N.D.S.O.F.F. (2002 maybe?)

Burning the Bandwagon (2004)

Declaration of Independence (2005, as "The Specs")

Favorite songs: 10. More Emo Then Thou

9. Take Me Down

8. Porno Paradise

7. White Russian

6. Listen Up

5. I Thought I Knew You

4. Dr. Evil Ska

3. Freak

2. Up and Down

1. Pimpin' in N.J.

Years active: 2000 (something)-2007

Seen live:
Twice. Montclair, NJ. Both in 2005

The Superspecs, yet another band to cause me frustration on this list. The Superspecs were essentially 3 bands. The first made "Project H.A.N.D.S.O.F.F." in the early 2000's and that is hands down 8 of the best songs I have ever heard. If it wasn't so short it'd be at the top of my favorite album list. Hell, it's so good, it is essentially the only reason that this band is on the list at all. Then in early 04 came "Burning the Bandwagon", and pretty bad follow up that featured less horns and more emo/crap punk as that was the fad then. Then they became The Specs (for legal reasons they claimed), and the Superspecs were no more. Both horn players also sang. The album had no ska, and was all just emo punk almost. The were booed off from their CD release show in New Jersey by the few fans who stayed to see them play. But, alas, that first album is so good, that it on its own gets The SUPERspecs this high on the countdown. No videos on Youtube for this occasion, sorry.

Next Up: Another opposite, a ska band that has succeeded one way or another for 30 years.