Superdrag Is Back

Amazing 90s alt-rock band Superdrag are officially back together. The group's original line-up reformed for a handful of shows last fall (I saw them in Chicago), and has announced on its website that they are entering the studio this month. This will be the first album from the original line-up of Superdrag since 1998's Head Trip In Every Key. More tour dates are expected.

Superdrag Reunion Report Card

I'm back from my weekend trip to Chicago for the Superdrag reunion. The show was a fun trip down memory lane, but was a little underwhelming in all honesty. Superdrag was a big band for me in the late 90s, and their 2nd full-length, Head Trip in Every Key, is one of my favorites of all time. I was able to see the band a number of times between 2000 and 2003, when Superdrag was a trio. I was never able to see them in their original, four-piece incarnation. So, for that reason, this was a unique experience for me.

It was fun seeing all the guys together again, but the show was paced very poorly. They started out by playing six or seven songs in a row from their "hit" album, Regretfully Yours. It wasn't until midway through the show before they played anything from Head Trip. Once they did, the crowd got more enthused, and the band got tighter. The encore included tunes from their first EP, and one song from In The Valley of Dying Stars, which was from the trio-era of the band's career. Interesting choice.

All in all, it was a good time, and I'm glad I went. Superdrag is only playing in DC, New York, and their hometown of Knoxville, TN before calling it quits for good.

Wilco TONIGHT and Superdrag on Saturday!!

Sorry for another week of light postings, but I am taking the weekend off to go out of town, and I had a million things I needed to get done before I left. This weekend into next week is an insane time for concerts for me. I'm not sure when I will be able to sleep.

First up, of course, is tonight's Wilco show at The Orpheum here in Omaha. Wilco is always a treat live, and tonight should be no exception. I've only seen one other rock show at The Orpheum (Bright Eyes a couple of years ago), but I loved the sound, the stage, and the atmosphere.

After that, I am traveling to Chicago for Saturday's Superdrag reunion show at The Metro. I saw the band about half a dozen times in their trio form prior to their break up in '03, but never saw the original four-piece version from the 90s. Those early Superdrag albums are something else, though.

I completed my next podcast last night and will be posting it Friday morning before I take off on my trip. The entire show is dedicated to Swervedriver and Adam Franklin. Make sure to listen to this one, as it's one of my best. Also, if you're in Omaha, you'll want to bone up on Adam's music before his show next week at The Waiting Room on Tuesday (tickets). You simply MUST go to this concert. I know it's a busy week. I know it's a Tuesday. I know. I know. That is no excuse to miss this rare appearance from one of the most important British rockers of the 1990s. The show will be so freakin' great. Trust me on this one, friends.

Original Superdrag Line Up Reunites for Brief Tour

Easily one of the best band of the 1990s, Tennessee's Superdrag are reuniting for a small series of shows. The band had one mainstream hit, "Sucked Out," but all five of their releases (plus a brand new compilation called Changing Tires On the Road To Ruin) are excellent and worth owning. They took the best elements of 80s Midwest indie music (i.e. Replacements, Husker Du) and mixed it with a 60s-style power-pop sensibility. The band's high-water mark for me is the 1998 album, Head Trip In Every Key.

Superdrag's original line-up ended in '99 when the bassist and lead guitarist both quit. The band soldiered on for two more albums and tours before breaking up in 2003. This reunion will feature all of the original members. As of right now, there are only six dates:

10.05.07 City Hall Nashville TN
10.13.07 Metro Chicago IL
10.20.07 Barley’s Tap Room Knoxville TN
11.02.07 The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza New York NY
11.03.07 Paradise Rock Club Boston MA
11.08.07 Nightclub 9:30 Washington DC