Friday, March 13, 2009

Folks: Superdrag
















Superdrag! I have chosen these fellows because they have a new album, and because they rock.

The band released three vinyl singles and their first CD EP, The Fabulous 8-Track Sound of Superdrag in 1995, and after having one of their A-sides ("SeƱorita") on a CMJ comp, soon released their first proper full-length, Regretfully Yours in 1996 after attracting the attention of Elektra Records. Their first single, "Sucked Out," was played frequently on MTV and the radio, but it would be their only mainstream hit; as a result, they were soon classified as a one-hit wonder. 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.

They were, however, given more financial support from Elektra to record their next album—on the condition that they write more radio hits a la "Sucked Out". The product was 1998's Head Trip in Every Key, to date their most radio-unfriendly album, chock full of orchestras, pianos, sitars, organs, and other out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation. It was co-produced (along with the band) by Jerry Finn, who would later be successful producing albums for Blink-182, Alkaline Trio, and other radio-friendly artists.

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. Davis himself has admitted that they were taking advantage of the money Elektra provided to them in order to create the best studio album they could regardless of the label's demands for radio hits, knowing that Superdrag would probably never have that kind of funding again. Only one song, "Do the Vampire", received even minimal radio play and, as expected, Elektra Records subsequently cut most of the band's funding. Almost no touring was done in support of the album, and it remains unheard by many, though most die-hard fans consider it to be their greatest release.

The same thing happened to their fellow labelmates Nada Surf, with whom they had toured in July 1996, after the release in 1998 of their second LP, The Proximity Effect.

After hearing what Superdrag had in store for their next release (and at the band's request, as well), Elektra dropped the band from their label before they were even finished recording their third full-length album. Pappas left the band to pursue his own career (notably with his three-piece Flesh Vehicle and as a sideman in live performance with Bloodshot's Bobby Bare, Jr.), and the band moved back east to sign with Arena Rock Recording Co., the New York-based label that put out their "N.A. Kicker" 7" single before Elektra came into the picture (they had also earlier dealt with another indie label, Darla).

via Wikipedia

Official Site

1 comment:

avant garde design said...

ooooh! i love new finds, i'm off to check them out, thanks for the inspire! :)