Earlier this month, I posted about (the band) Phoenix’s mix disc for the Kitsune series, briefly mentioning that I appreciated the inclusion of a track by Urge Overkill. Sadly, my mentioning of Urge Overkill brought out some of the band’s fans who have been oppressed by the scourge of popular opinion. I know it might not be cool—especially after hearing the cover of “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” for the thousandth time—but I’m here to stand up and say that I really like Urge Overkill, especially their 1993 desperate grasp at alternative stardom, Saturation. Sure, their albums for Touch and Go are probably more artistically credible, and the production is beyond glossy, but any album that has a tribute to All My Children star Erica Kane is one I’m going to appreciate and enjoy. Some of my favorite tracks beyond the cut.
“Erica Kane”:
“Dropout”:
“Positive Bleeding (live on David Letterman)”:
“Sister Havana” (since the geniuses at Universal won’t let me embed a live performance of this song from some ’90s talk show and MTV’s site seems to do wacky things to the site, you get Dallas Mavericks highlights) :
Urge Overkill [Official site]
Oooh, “Positive Bleeding” so good!!! Also, I rather like the awesome novelty that is “Crack Babies.”
I was indifferent to Urge Overkill until I had the misfortune of seeing them live. Worst show I’ve ever seen by a long shot. It show was saved by the opening act, The Geraldine Fibbers, who were magnificent.
‘Dropout’ has been a mixtape secret weapon of mine for quite a while.
@NeverEnough- Steve Albini always talks about how they were the worst(as in least talented) musicians he ever worked with, which could be saying a lot.
However, we all know how cranky Uncle Steve can get.
I also loved “Exit The Dragon,” although I realize I’m in the minority here. It was just so unexpected to hear that they were as great at sad bastard music as they were at flashy pop, you know?
Great studio band. But wow, what a horrible live act. And a great shame how they threw away their talent in the mid 90s.
Exit the Dragon seemed average after the greatness of Saturation, but it did have this amazing tune that was also on the No Alternative comp. Think it was called “Take a Walk.” A total heartbreaker of a song.
Ask Maura some time about when Urge Overkill played a Northwestern ‘ball.’ Also ask her about the kid who had just gotten his belly button pierced.
Man, I know where ALL the bodies are buried.
I barely remember the video for “Sister Havana”, but I definitely remember that it was ridiculous and set in a church.
UO were a great band, though. I tend to consider them an “Allmusic band” because they’re among a small group of fantastic but semi-obscure bands adored by Allmusic reviews (others being NRBQ and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, both bands that were turned onto me by Allmusic constantly bestowing hosannas to whatever they released, and both of which are now two of my favorite bands of all time).
@clever epithet: I would like to hear this story.
As an unabashed fan of the Strokes, I feel your pain here, sir. However, reading ANYTHING that Steve Albini has to say about Urge Overkill is supremely entertaining. Also, Steve Albini…not the nicest knife in the drawer.
@DocStrange Gorky’s put on maybe the best live show I’ve seen in a decade.