Song: "You Really Got Me" (The Kinks cover)
Artist: Superdrag
Album: "Greetings From Tennessee"
Year: 2001
Place Of Origin: Knoxville, Tennessee
Years Active: 1992 - 2010
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
Originally written and performed by The Kinks, here's what Kinks' frontman Ray Davies had to say about "You Really Got Me". "I wrote the lyric to this rambunctious rocker after watching girls dancing in a club. It's not the most articulate lyric, but that's the point: The guy in the song is so infatuated, all he can do is mutter at the girl how she's really got him." Superdrag covered this classic rock song in 2001 and it appeared on their "Greetings From Tennessee" album.
SUPERDRAG DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1996 - Regretfully Yours (Elektra Records)
* #158 on the Billboard 200
1998 - Head Trip In Every Key (Elektra Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1998 - Stereo "360 Sound" (Superdrag Sound Laboratories)
* did not chart on Billboard 200
2000 - In The Valley Of Dying Stars (Arena Rock Recording Co.)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2001 - Greetings From Tennessee (Arena Rock Recording Co.)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2002 - Last Call For Vitriol (Arena Rock Recording Co.)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2003 - The Paradise - Boston, MA 9/5/03 (Instant Live)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2007 - Changin' Tires On The Road To Ruin (Arena Rock Recording Co.)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2007 - 4-Track Rock!!! 1992 - 1995 + Complete "Bender" Sessions (Superdrag Sound Laboratories)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2009 - Industry Giants (Superdrag Sound Laboratories)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2014 - Jokers W/ Tracers (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON SUPERDRAG:
Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Superdrag formed as a band back in 1992. The band released a few vinyl singles early on and their first issued music to cd was the EP "The Fabulous 8-Track Sound Of Superdrag" in 1995. The band debuted their first full length studio album in 1996 titled "Regretfully Yours". This album would be the only Superdrag album to chart on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at #158. The album featured the single "Sucked Out" which received significant airplay on MTV back in the mid-90's. The band's label, Elektra Records, wasn't too happy with the band's second effort, 1998's "Head Trip In Every Key". They just didn't think there was a hit on that album though "Do The Vampire" did have some moderate success on radio. By the time their third album came around, Elektra had dropped Superdrag and they formed a relationship with the Arena Rock Recording Co. for their next few full lengths. "In The Valley Of Dying Stars" felt like a good, rockin' album whereas "Head Trip In Every Key" saw the band experimenting with different sounds. 2002's "Last Call For Vitriol" had a more heavier feel to it and really documented lead singer John Davis' ongoing battle with alcoholism. After the end of Superdrag's 2003 tour in support of "Last Call For Vitriol", John Davis announced that Superdrag was going to break up. Davis had an epiphany of sorts and turned to religion to help get him sober. He felt that Superdrag acted as a mouthpiece for a lifestyle that he no longer led. For a few years all the members had solo or other projects that they worked on but luckily, in 2007, the Superdrag original line-up reunited for some concerts. That same year, the band released a b-sides and rarities compilation, "Changin' Tires On The Road To Ruin". In 2009, the band released what would be their final proper studio full length album, "Industry Giants". The band did release one more rarities and demos compilation in 2014 called "Jokers W/ Tracers". As the wave of grunge music began to slow down a bit, it allowed some other genres to fill some voids. There was the resurgence of punk rock music and then there was a burgeoning alternative music and indie music scene. Superdrag found themselves in that particular scene. These were bands that played melodic songs that were less harsh than the grunge era bands. Sometimes these bands reflected the "college radio" scene or the sub-culture that was somewhat alternative to what was popular. In a lot of ways, I viewed Superdrag to alternative music's version of The Beatles. Their songs were very catchy, very melodic and filled with sing-a-long hooks and choruses. In my mind, John Davis should have gotten much more credit for his songwriting skills and I find Superdrag to be a vastly underrated band. I first heard of Superdrag early on. Like many, I saw the "Sucked Out" video on MTV and liked what I heard so I bought "Regretfully Yours". I liked both of their first two albums but my favorite album by them is "In The Valley Of Dying Stars". That album features my two favorite Superdrag songs, "Keep It Close To Me" and "Lighting The Way". When they came back from their hiatus and dropped "Industry Giants" in 2009, I was super excited. That was another great, underrated album. Unfortunately, that would prove to be their last studio album of newly written material. If you're a fan of Superdrag, be sure to check out John Davis' new band, The Lees Of Memory. Their sound is similar to Superdrag and seems to be a continuation of perhaps where Superdrag was going to go had they stayed together. In my mind, Superdrag is a top tier alternative rock band.
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TEN SUPERDRAG SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Lighting The Way
2. Keep It Close To Me
3. I'm Expanding My Mind
4. Do The Vampire
5. Aspartame
6. Slot Machine
7. Sucked Out
8. Baby Goes To Eleven
9. Feeling Like I Do
10. Live And Breathe
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