The duo are Minnesota native sons who met at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Pulling their name from Parliament’s title track “Funkentelechy,” Urge Overkill was born in 1984, releasing their debut EP Strange I… on fellow Northwestern student Steve Albini’s Ruthless Records (with Albini in the production chair, as well).
Touch and Go Records founder Cory Rusk championed the band as well, and Jesus Urge Superstar appeared on that classic Chicago label, once again helmed by Albini (while the band was housed in his basement).
Next came 1990’s Americruiser, this time produced by Butch Vig, featuring a sound and style that influenced fellow bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, who would consequently use Vig on albums like Siamese Dream and Nevermind.
1991’s The Supersonic Storybook (named by Material Issue’s Jim Ellison) brought Albini back to the production role, and Urge opened for Nirvana on American and European legs of Nirvana’s Nevermind tour. At that point, Pearl Jam tapped them for their Vs. tour, and Urge Overkill was playing arenas.
Pre-sale link: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/oui
1991’s The Supersonic Storybook (named by Material Issue’s Jim Ellison) brought Albini back to the production role, and Urge opened for Nirvana on American and European legs of Nirvana’s Nevermind tour. At that point, Pearl Jam tapped them for their Vs. tour, and Urge Overkill was playing arenas.
Urge recruited Kramer (Bongwater, Butthole Surfers) to produce 1992’s Stull EP, which included a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” and the original “Goodbye to Guyville” — whose title was adapted by Liz Phair for her acclaimed debut. Even as just an EP, the release proved that Urge was ready for the big leagues, and they signed to Geffen Records later that year.
1993 brought the world Saturation, produced by the Butcher Bros. (Cypress Hill, Nine Inch Nails, Anthrax). It featured radio hits like “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding.” While working on Saturation’s follow-up, Quentin Tarantino picked Stull’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” for inclusion in his 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The movie and soundtrack became a massive hit. After 1995’s Exit the Dragon, Urge’s whirlwind first decade came to a close. It was time for a break.
Kato and Roeser reunited in 2010, playing a set at Tarantino’s Friar’s Club Roast, and sat on the podium alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman. Two years later, Rock & Roll Submarine was released to great acclaim (garnering four stars from MOJO magazine).
1993 brought the world Saturation, produced by the Butcher Bros. (Cypress Hill, Nine Inch Nails, Anthrax). It featured radio hits like “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding.” While working on Saturation’s follow-up, Quentin Tarantino picked Stull’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” for inclusion in his 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The movie and soundtrack became a massive hit. After 1995’s Exit the Dragon, Urge’s whirlwind first decade came to a close. It was time for a break.
Kato and Roeser reunited in 2010, playing a set at Tarantino’s Friar’s Club Roast, and sat on the podium alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman. Two years later, Rock & Roll Submarine was released to great acclaim (garnering four stars from MOJO magazine).
Now, a decade later, Urge Overkill returns with Oui — 12 new tracks, including 11 originals and an Urge-ified cover of Wham!’s “Freedom!”
Track listing:
Track listing:
FREEDOM!
A NECESSARY EVIL
FOLLOW MY SHADOW
HOW SWEET THE LIGHT
I BEEN READY
A PRISONER’S DILEMMA
FORGIVEN
TOTEM POLE
LITANY
I CAN’T STAY GLAD@U
WON’T LET GO
SNOW
A NECESSARY EVIL
FOLLOW MY SHADOW
HOW SWEET THE LIGHT
I BEEN READY
A PRISONER’S DILEMMA
FORGIVEN
TOTEM POLE
LITANY
I CAN’T STAY GLAD@U
WON’T LET GO
SNOW
Pre-sale link: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/oui
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