SUPRESSING A PRIMAL
URGE
UPDATE-
Since this interview took place, the band has signed a mjor label
deal. Their new single "Jump Right In," featuring Nick Hexum of 311, should
be getting a major push this summer, and was recently given a very good review
in Entertainment Weekly!!
St. Louis' The Urge is a band poised on the brink of success. Their last
album, "receiving the gift of flavor," has already spawned one of this year's
hottest mid-west regional singles, "Brainless." The Urge consistantly sells
out venues all across the midwest, and their album sold 5,000 copies regionally
in the first two weeks it was released. Recently, their video for "Washed
Up" was a hidden easter egg in a Sony Playstation CD-Rom Magazine. So why
aren't these guys huge yet?
"I have no idea," laughed vocalist Steve Ewing, in a phone interview with
Brainchild from Virginia. "It's sort of like a really cool underground thing.
Word spreads that we're playing and a bunch of people come out. It's only
a matter of time."
If you've never seen The Urge live, and if you're under 18 you probably
haven't, you're missing out on one of rock's most energetic shows. Where
else can you see horn players do complete flips while not missing a beat?
The band puts so much energy into their live shows that you leave feeling
thoroughly drained. "Our live show is where it's at," says Ewing, "that's
where we really come alive." The band consistantly floors the audience at
the Kansas University Jayhawk Music Fest with their show as frontman Ewing
jumps around the stage like a man possessed.
The Urge's music has been described as Fishbone meets the Bosstones with
some Rage Against the Machine thrown in. One minute, guitars are blasting
out a hard rock riff, then suddenly horns take over setting an almost reggae
groove. "All of us, individually listen to all different kinds of music.
I think you can hear it in our songs." The result is an eclectic blend of
various musical styles, which becomes a style entirely their own. "We do
our thing and do it because we enjoy it," explained Ewing. "We're not in
it to make hits, we just love playing."
After touring mostly the midwest the past three years, the Urge is using
it's time with 311 to reach markets unfamiliar with the band. "The buzz has
been great in the college scenes so far," said Ewing, as the band toured
the unfamiliar market of the east coast. While building followings everywhere
they go, the band is resourceful, forming it's own Nice Guy recording label
to distribute their albums. With success so close, Ewing and the rest of
the band is staying focused on making music and giving the best live show
they can. "It would be nice at this point to have some big dollars, but it's
coming," said Ewing. "In the meantime, come see us live, and we're going
to blow your mind."
