Urge Overkill
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Urge Overkill is an alternative rock band, formed in Chicago, United States, consisting of Nathan "Nash Kato" Kaatrud (vocals/guitar), Eddie "King" Roeser (vocals/guitar/bass guitar), and originally Johnny "Blackie Onassis" Rowan (vocals, drums). Their cover of Neil Diamond's song "Girl, You'll be A Woman Soon" appeared prominently in the movie Pulp Fiction, and became a hit in 1994.
History
Nash and King originally met in college. They formed Urge Overkill (getting the name from a Parliament song) in Chicago, United States in 1986, with drummer Jack "The Jaguar" Watt, and released an EP, Strange, I..., on Ruthless records produced by Nash's roommate, Steve Albini. A full length album, Jesus Urge Superstar, soon followed, again produced by Albini. These two releases showcased a noise-rock sound common to other Chicago acts of the period.Their next effort, Americruiser, saw a drastic change in style. Their sound from then on has been described as a "Stonesy fusion of arena rock and punk". Produced by Butch Vig, Americruiser was widely praised, and scored a college radio hit with the lead-off track, "Ticket To LA." Drummer Blackie Onassis took over for Watt on the next album, The Supersonic Storybook, released in 1991. This completed the switch in sound, and got even better reviews, becoming an underground hit.
After opening for Nirvana on the American Nevermind tour, Urge Overkill returned to the studio to record another EP, Stull, in 1992 which featured the tracks, "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" and "Goodbye to Guyville." Having a strong following by this time, they jumped from their indie label, Touch & Go to major label, DGC Records.
Despite much criticism for the label switch, Urge Overkill's Butcher Brothers produced major-label debut, Saturation, received strong reviews upon release in 1993. Pop success wasn't forthcoming however, and only the single, "Sister Havana", received any airplay. Furthermore some members of the alternative crowd began to criticize the group, and a few anti-Urge campaigns emerged.
As the band recorded a follow-up album, cult filmmaker Quentin Tarantino used the group's cover version of the Neil Diamond's song, "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," on his 1994 movie Pulp Fiction. When the movie became a hit, the song made it to the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 100; pop success at last for Urge Overkill. Predictions were high for their next release.
Another band would have gone for a more commercial sound, but Urge Overkill retained their alternative sound for their next album, Exit the Dragon released in 1995. The uncommerical first single "The Break," flopped, and a disastrous tour followed, ending earlier than planned. To make matters worse Blackie was arrested on drug charges toward the end of the year. While the band was recuperating, Kato and King started feuding, resulting in King leaving the band. Now a duo, Urge Overkill moved to 550 Music in early 1997. An attempt was made to fill King's role in the band with guitarist Nils St. Cyr, but this led nowhere, and the band split after being dropped by the label.
In 2004, Kato and King reformed the band without Blackie and performed two eagerly anticipated (by some) reunion shows at the Double Door in Chicago on February 14th and 15th. The pair recruited a new group of backing musicians: bassist Mike Hodgkiss,keyboardist Chris Frantisak and drummer Nate Arling.
Kato and King have been touring, writing and recording since, and a new album of Urge Overkill material is anticipated in 2006.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1988 | Jesus Urge Superstar | Touch and Go Records |
| 1990 | Americruiser | Touch and Go Records |
| 1991 | The Supersonic Storybook | Touch and Go Records |
| 1993 | Saturation | Geffen Records |
| 1995 | Exit The Dragon | Geffen Records |
Singles and EPs
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1986 | Strange, I... | Ruthless Records |
| 1987 | Lineman 7" | Touch and Go Records |
| 1990 | Ticket To L.A. 7" | Touch and Go Records |
| 1991 | (Now That's) The Barclords 7" | Sub Pop |
| 1992 | Stull EP | Touch and Go Records |
| 1993 | Sister Havana | Geffen Records |
| 1993 | Dropout | Geffen Records |
| 1993 | Bottle Of Fur | Geffen Records |
| 1993 | Positive Bleeding | Geffen Records |
| 1994 | Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon | MCA |
| 1995 | The Break | Geffen Records |
| 1995 | View Of The Rain | Geffen Records |
| 1995 | Somebody Else's Body | Geffen Records |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1993 | The Urge Overkill Story...Stay Tuned: 1988-1991 | Touch and Go Records |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction (soundtrack album) | MCA Records |
External links
- [Official Website]
- [Urge Overkill] at the All Music Guide
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