Superdrag
From Free net encyclopedia
Superdrag is an alternative rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band became a hit with its 1996 single "Sucked Out" off their album Regretfully Yours of which a video clip was broadcast on MTV. Of all the bands with "Buzz Bin" videos in the second half of the '90s (the Refreshments, Wax, et al), Superdrag toured consistently up until their self-imposed hiatus in 2003.
Superdrag formed in the early 1990's when Knoxville guitar player Brandon Fisher began dating the sister of John Davis. Davis, a bit younger than Fisher, began playing the drums in Brandon's band, The Used (not to be confused with the Utah-based hardcore band), along with Tom Pappas, also senior to Davis by a couple of years.
After a relatively unsuccessful stint under that arrangement, a friend of the band named Don Coffey Jr. overheard Davis play a few songs he had written on the guitar, and began playing the drums to them. Soon after, Pappas switched to the bass guitar (he had been playing guitar in The Used) and Fisher resumed on the lead guitar, and Superdrag was born.
The band released their first EP, The Fabulous 8-Track Sounds of Superdrag in 1995, and soon after, released Regretfully Yours in 1996 after attracting the attention of Elektra Records. They were regarded as a one-hit wonder after no song on that album succeeded in getting as much recognition as "Sucked Out". The video clip to the single "Destination Ursa Major" on the same album was Superdrag's second and last video to make it to television.
However, they were given more financial support from Elektra to record their next album, on the condition that they write more radio-hits, equal to "Sucked Out". The product was 1998's Head Trip in Every Key, to date their most radio-unfriendly album, which was chock full of orchestras, pianos, sitars, organs, and every other out-of-the-ordinary instrument. It was co-produced (along with the band) by Jerry Finn.
It is believed by many that the intent of the band was to go purposely against Elektra's will with the overall sound of the album. Only one song, "Do the Vampire" received any radio play, and it was minimal at best. Elektra Records subsequently cut most of their funding and almost no touring was done in support of the album, and it remains unheard by many, though die-hard fans consider it to be their greatest release.
After hearing what Superdrag had in store for their next release, Elektra dropped them from their label before they were even done recording their third full-length album. Pappas left the band to pursue his own career, and the band moved back east to sign with Arena Rock Recording Co. By 2000 they had taken on a new bass guitarist, Sam Powers, and released their third full-length album, In the Valley of Dying Stars.
Remaining true to their tendency to change their sound with every new release, In the Valley of Dying Stars was no exception. It was by far the most emotional and raw of all of their albums. Whereas Head Trip was the most instrumentally diverse, Dying Stars kept to the classic rock format. Davis showed much more emotion in his songwriting than he had before, and many of the songs on the album are about his grandfather who had passed away, whom John admired dearly. Also, Davis' feelings on the record industry came out in songs such as "Keep it Close to Me" in which the first lines state "I want rock and roll, but I don't want to deal with the hassle. I know what I know, but I don't want to feel like an ass-hole."
With the absence of a major label or producer to influence their sound, Superdrag continued to evolve at their own pace, and in 2002, Last Call for Vitriol once again redefined the band's sound. Some of the songs moved toward a heavier, more alternative sound, while others were of pure country-western influence. Brandon Fisher had left the band prior to the release of In the Valley of Dying Stars, and Mic Harrison had eventually taken his place, adding a much more western feel to the guitar style.
Upon completion of touring for Last Call, the band disbanded. Davis had turned heavily to alcoholism in prior years and many of his songs were about that very topic. One night, before the release of their last album, while driving to his parents' house, Davis pulled his truck over to pray, feeling that he had finally hit rock-bottom. He described the experience as life-changing, as he stated he felt a definite answer to his prayer. He was able to get away from alcohol, but felt that Superdrag was a mouth-piece for the life he had left behind, and simply didn't feel his heart behind it anymore.
Both Coffey and Powers went on to pursue careers in recording/producing, and Harrison and Davis continued to play music. Davis released a self-titled album early in 2005. His music is now heavy with gospel and religious overtones. He also plays guitar for The Astronaut Pushers.
Contents |
Members
- John Davis - vocals, guitar
- Don Coffey Jr. - drums
- Brandon Fisher - guitar (1992-2000)
- Tom Pappas - bass (1992-1999)
- Sam Powers - bass (1999-2003)
- Mic Harrison - guitar (2001-2003)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1995 | The Fabulous 8 Track Sounds of Superdrag | Darla |
| 1996 | Regretfully Yours | Elektra |
| 1998 | Head Trip in Every Key | Elektra |
| 1998 | Stereo 360 Sound | Superdrag Sound |
| 2000 | In the Valley of Dying Stars | Arena Rock Recording |
| 2001 | Greetings from Tennessee | Two Children Records / Arena Rock Recording Co. |
| 2002 | Last Call For Vitriol | Arena Rock Recording |