Complete List Of Urge Overkill Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: gregor_y, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Urge Overkill is an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1984 by Nash Kato (vocals, guitar) and Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar). The band initially gained attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their unique blend of alternative rock, power pop, and a tongue-in-cheek glam rock aesthetic. Their early work was characterized by a raw, garage rock sound, as evident on their debut album Jesus Urge Superstar (1989) and its follow-up, Americruiser (1990), both released on the independent label Touch and Go Records. Over the years, they released seven studio albums: Jesus Urge Superstar (1989), Americruiser (1990), The Supersonic Storybook (1991), Saturation (1993), Exit the Dragon (1995), Rock & Roll Submarine (2011), and Oui (2022). They also released one live album and several compilations, including Urge Overkill EP (1992) and Stull (1992).

The band’s most significant commercial success came with their 1993 album Saturation, released by Geffen Records, which peaked at No. 146 on the Billboard 200. The singles “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding” from this album received heavy airplay on alternative rock radio and MTV, with “Sister Havana” reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. They gained further recognition when their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack in 1994, became a cult hit. However, the follow-up album, Exit the Dragon (1995), did not achieve the same level of success, reaching No. 129 on the Billboard 200. Despite critical acclaim, internal tensions led to the band’s hiatus in 1997.

Urge Overkill reformed in 2004 and continued to release music, maintaining their distinctive sound that blends humor, irony, and classic rock influences. The band currently consists of founding members Nash Kato and Eddie “King” Roeser, with various supporting musicians over the years.

Jesus Urge Superstar

Released 1989

Jesus Urge Superstar is the debut studio album by Urge Overkill, recorded at Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, Illinois, and released by Touch and Go Records in 1989. The album reflects the band’s early, raw sound, influenced by punk rock and noise rock, with a sense of irony and humor. The production, marked by lo-fi aesthetics, captures the energetic, abrasive style that would come to define the band’s early years. The album featured Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and Pat Byrne (drums). It was produced by Steve Albini.

CD Track Listings:

“God Flintstone”—5:08
“Very Sad Trousers”—3:29
“Your Friend is Insane”—6:01
“Dump Dump Dump”—3:07
“Last Train to Heaven”—3:42
“The Polaroid Doll”—2:30
“Head On”—4:11
“Crown of Laffs”—3:54
“Dubbledead”—5:29
“Easter ’88″—1:07

Americruiser

Released 1990

Americruiser is Urge Overkill’s second studio album, recorded at CRC Studios in Chicago, Illinois, and released by Touch and Go Records in 1990. This album marked a shift towards a more refined sound while still retaining the punk edge of their debut. With more structured songs and a tighter production style, the band began to explore themes of Americana and rock ‘n’ roll culture. The album featured Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and Pat Byrne (drums). It was produced by Butch Vig, a significant figure in the grunge and alternative rock scene.

CD Track Listings:

“Ticket to L.A.” – 2:16
“Blow Chopper” – 3:11
“76 Ball” – 2:59
“Empire Builder” – 4:11
“Faroutski” – 3:20
“Viceroyce” – 2:59
“Out on the Airstrip” – 4:08
“Smoke House” – 3:49

The Supersonic Storybook

Released 1991

The Supersonic Storybook is Urge Overkill’s third studio album, recorded at Chicago Recording Company and released by Touch and Go Records in 1991. This album features a more polished sound with power pop influences, signaling the band’s transition from their punk roots to a more mainstream alternative rock style. It contains the fan-favorite track “The Kids Are Insane.” The album featured Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and Blackie Onassis (drums). It was produced by Steve Albini.

CD Track Listings:

“The Kids Are Insane”—2:55
“The Candidate”—5:00
“Today Is Blackie’s Birthday”—3:18
“Emmaline” (Errol Brown, Tony Wilson) – 5:54
“Bionic Revolution”—4:03
“What Is Artane?”—3:48
“Vacation in Tokyo”—3:45
“Henhough: The Greatest Story Ever Told” (Nash Kato, Blackie Onassis) – 5:47
“Theme from Navajo”—4:25

Saturation

Released 1993

Saturation is Urge Overkill’s fourth studio album, recorded at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, and released by Geffen Records in 1993. This album is the band’s most commercially successful release, achieving a polished, radio-friendly sound that blends power pop, glam rock, and alternative rock. The album’s single “Sister Havana” reached No. 6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, and “Positive Bleeding” also gained significant airplay.

CD Track Listings:

“Sister Havana” – 3:53
“Tequila Sundae” – 4:20
“Positive Bleeding” – 3:44
“Back on Me” – 3:12
“Woman 2 Woman” – 2:40
“Bottle of Fur” – 4:13
“Crackbabies” – 4:03
“The Stalker” – 2:52
“Dropout” – 4:55
“Erica Kane” – 3:07
“Nite and Grey” – 4:22
“Heaven 90210”
“Operation Kissinger”

Exit the Dragon

Released 1995

Exit the Dragon is Urge Overkill’s fifth studio album, recorded at the Chicago Recording Company and released by Geffen Records in 1995. The album represents a darker, more introspective turn for the band, reflecting the turbulent period they were undergoing at the time. Despite positive critical reception, it did not achieve the commercial success of Saturation. The album peaked at No. 129 on the Billboard 200. The album featured Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and Blackie Onassis (drums). It was produced by Urge Overkill with contributions from producers like The Butcher Brothers and Kramer.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Jaywalkin'” Eddie “King” Roeser 3:31
2. “The Break” Roeser 3:44
3. “Need Some Air” Nash Kato 3:07
4. “Somebody Else’s Body” Kato 3:48
5. “Honesty Files” Roeser 3:55
6. “This Is No Place” Roeser 4:20
7. “The Mistake” Blackie Onassis 4:30
8. “Take Me” Roeser with Kato 2:58
9. “View of the Rain” Kato 4:46
10. “Last Night / Tomorrow” Roeser / Kato 5:21
11. “Tin Foil” Roeser 4:28
12. “Monopoly” Kato 3:29
13. “And You’ll Say” Roeser 3:39
14. “Digital Black Epilogue” Kato 9:27

Rock & Roll Submarine

Released 2011

Rock & Roll Submarine marks Urge Overkill’s return after a 16-year hiatus. Released independently in 2011, the album continues the band’s rock and roll tradition with a rawer, more stripped-down sound that harkens back to their early days. The recording captures the band’s renewed energy and commitment to their roots.

The album featured Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and new contributors. It was produced by Urge Overkill and recorded at The Outpost in Stoughton, Massachusetts.

CD Track Listings:

“Mason/Dixon”—2:58
“Rock & Roll Submarine”—4:01
“Effigy”—3:44
“Poison Flower”—2:32
“Little Vice”—3:14
“Thought Balloon”—4:13
“Quiet Person”—3:23
“She’s My Ride”—3:33
“End of Story”—3:24
“The Valiant”—3:45
“Niteliner”—2:21
“Touched to a Cut”—2:09

Oui

Released 2022

Oui is the latest release by Urge Overkill, released by Omnivore Recordings in 2022. The album marks the band’s continued evolution and their enduring ability to craft memorable rock songs with catchy hooks and wry humor. Recorded in Chicago, Oui reflects a matured but still rebellious spirit, capturing the essence of Urge Overkill’s unique style. The album features Nash Kato (vocals, guitar), Eddie “King” Roeser (vocals, bass, guitar), and other contributors. It was produced by Urge Overkill.

CD Track Listings:

1. Freedom!
2. A Necessary Evil
3. Follow My Shadow
4. How Sweet the Light
5. I Been Ready
6. A Prisoner’s Dilemma
7. Forgiven
8. Totem Pole
9. Litany
10. I Can’t Stay Glad@U
11. Won’t Let Go
12. Snow