ALBUM PROFILES



Urge Overkill - "rock&roll submarine"


Now I can't profess to be an Urge Overkill fan, or even know much about them outside of the few "hits". But what I learned, and for that matter loved about the Urge Overkill that produced "Rock And Roll Submarine" is that this is what a record would sound like if Cheap Trick came out of Seattle in the early 90's. It's a Power Pop Grunge record. It's sweet, yet raw. Bassy riffage with on point harmonies. Loose like good rock and roll should be, but tight like you'd imagine the leggy super model of your choice would be. Nash and crew, you came up with some mighty fine rock and roll.

Rating: A solid 8.7. It's the Arnold Palmer Iced Tea of rock and roll. Sweet and sour in a most perfect way.

- Jay Mazeffect





Urge Overkill: Effigy from Jim McKenzie on Vimeo.



Over 15 years since their last album, the two-headed rock ‘n roll behemoth that is Urge Overkill, will finally make its return. Their new album, Rock&Roll Submarine, is out May 10th on their own label UO Records. The band’s mixture of arena-ready hooks with punk rock ferocity is as potent as ever, as apparent on the rip-roaring new track, “Effigy.” As fans who crowded NYC’s Mercury Lounge this past October to witness the reunited group can attest, UO’s live show is in top form as well. The guys kick off a brief US tour in May, where they will be tearing through their new and classic material.

The reformed lineup is made up of original singer-guitarists/songwriters Eddie “King” Roeser and Nash Kato, along with drummer Bonn Quast (Polvo; The Cherry Valence) and bassist Hadji Hodgkiss (Gaza Strippers). As always, the chemistry between Kato and Roeser is at the driving force behind each song. Whether it’s the haunting way in which their voices blend or their striking, intertwined guitars, the dual frontmen exude a unique and magnetic presence that has been sorely missed.

UO released its first full-length, the Steve Albini-produced Jesus Urge Superstar, in 1989 through Touch and Go Records and steadily began ascending in popularity. Their third release for Touch and Go was helmed by another iconic producer, Butch Vig. By the early 90’s, they were opening on Nirvana’s Nevermind tour and Pearl Jam’s Vs. tour, and eventually signed to Geffen Records, who released their beloved classic LP, Saturation. The group’s biggest moment in the spotlight came when Quentin Tarantino prominently used their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” in his film Pulp Fiction. The soundtrack soon became one of the most acclaimed and successful of the decade and Urge’s version of “Girl” became a hit. The band went on to sell over 2.5 million albums, and recently came full circle when they performed at the New York Friar’s Club Roast of Quentin Tarantino this past December.