Interviews - Entertainment

 

14 years after the release of Superdrag’s debut release, The Fabulous 8-Track Sound of Superdrag, the band finds themselves on the road once again this time in support of their new album, Industry Giants. So far fans and critics alike have praised Superdrag’s last effort as one of their best to date. Making a name for themselves with such hook-filled songs as “Sucked Out” and "Destination Ursa Major", Superdrag crashed onto the mid-nineties music scene and is one of the most memorable bands of that era. Now, with yet another strong release, they have proven to stand the test of time. This Saturday, April 25^th, Superdrag fans can reacquaint themselves with the band’s live show at Metro in Chicago.

After a few lineup changes, Superdrag reformed with its original members John Davis, Don Coffey Jr., Brandon Fisher and Tom Pappas in 2007 where they only planned to do a handful of reunion shows. However, things went so well that the band decided to stay together indefinitely.

I was able to catch up with singer/guitarist John Davis just a few days before their Chicago show.

Buzz: John, you initially played drums when you first hooked up with Brandon. What inspired the change to guitar in the first place?

John: Well, those guys (The Used...now The Used To Be, for obvious reasons) had shows booked and their drummer quit. Brandon was dating my cousin Kelcey; that's how we met. I had already heard some 4-track stuff they were working on, and I liked it alot. He told me about their predicament and I volunteered to fill-in on drums. Most of my experiences with drumming in bands up 'til that point, in High School or whatever, tended to be "by default" because nobody else could play, or nobody else wanted to. So I bought a drum kit for $200 and became the drummer for The Used. I had been playing guitar since age 10, and I had starting writing songs in earnest maybe 2 years before I took the Used gig. That lasted about 6 months. We rehearsed more than any band I've ever been in, before or since, I think. Then I started playing in Punch Wagon with Don (Coffey Jr) and Mike Smithers. I played bass and sang. That didn't last very long, but it kind of forced me out front with my own material and strengthened my resolve to get my own thing happening. I quit both bands, Don took my place in The Used, then he got kicked out of Punch Wagon (which eventually became kind of Version 2.0 of 30 Amp Fuse---Don, Mike and myself), and The Used, and we started jamming in the basement. Just Donnie and I. Then Brandon joined...on bass...Tom joined, playing 2nd guitar...those guys switched places...and the rest is history. Probably more information than you really wanted.

 

Buzz: How does the new release Industry Giants compare with Superdrag music in the past?

J: Favorably, we hope. (ha ha) I think a lot of the tunes on this record wouldn't have been out-of-place on any of the first three albums. There are others that probably push the tempo and energy level a bit further than any of the old Superdrag music did. They're just faster and more aggro. We come from a Punk Rock background and we've all played in Punk Rock bands before, during and after Superdrag. I think maybe that element of our music is more out-front on this album than any of the previous ones. Some people really seem to like that idea, and others don't. Obviously, we like the idea!

Buzz: What tracks on the new album excite you the most?

J: I'm really excited about having songs from Brandon and Tom on this album. Don's next.

 

Buzz: Your self-titled solo album in 2005 was very spiritual as was Arigato! your 2007 release. Does that spirituality transfer to your work with Superdrag?

J: Definitely.

Buzz: In 2007 Superdrag reunited with its original members. What brought that about and is it everything you expected?

J: It just felt like the right time. Deep down I always expected it to happen eventually. I think it's grown well beyond any expectations I had.

Buzz: How does it feel touring with the original lineup again? Do you feel you are right where you left off?

J: It feels great. I feel that, in almost every way, we're in a much better spot between the four of us now than when the original line-up started to splinter in 1999. That was kind of a low-point for just about everything.

 

Buzz: What’s the thing you like about touring the most?

J: I like talking to the fans. I like being able to say "thanks" in person.

Buzz: Superdrag has their own label. What channels are you using to try and promote your music?

J: We have distribution through Thirty Tigers/Sony RED. We have an excellent publicist, Mr. Jeffrey Smith. Through MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, our official site, so on and so forth, we stay in close contact with our audience. We have a great new video directed by Aaron Baker. We're doing everything we can to make people aware of what we've got going on.

Buzz: What do you think about Internet piracy of music?

J: I think the rubber band was bound to snap back eventually. We're not too bothered by it, honestly. We tried to keep the fans involved the entire time we were putting the new thing together, sharing our demos, roughs, throwing out free downloads. People are tired of getting ripped off, so they're returning the favor. Who 's still willing to pay $17.99 for a CD that costs a dollar to produce?

Buzz: And lastly, Superdrag formed in the mid-nineties. When you formed did you have any idea that you’d find the success to be touring and making new albums so many years later?

J: None whatsoever.

The new album is Industry Giants and you can see Superdrag live Saturday, April 25^th at Metro in Chicago.

For more updates and touring information go to www.superdrag.com.