I have been a Superdrag fan for years, attending at least 15 shows through out the years. I have never experienced a band with so much rock n roll to give, so many genres covered but in the end only to give them their own sound. When 120 minutes aired a 11pm on Sunday nights I stayed glued to the TV set. Local radio neglected anything that wasn’t fed to us by the Majors and I wanted something new to call my own, at least for a minute. I remember this band with the lead singer looking Lennon like and wailing out meet the Beatles with Frank Black licks, to say I was stunned was an understatement. Then Matt Pinfield came on to say they were from Knoxville,Tn and to me it made the experience even more personal cause they were local boys. The song that night was “Sucked out” from “Regretfully yours” and it went on to be in the Buzz Bin. From there the only way was up for the band but with Elektra wanting to hear another “Sucked Out” on their next record ” Head trip in every key”, they were dropped. They headed back to a record company that put out one of their first seven inches called Arena Rock Recording Company to release their next two records ” In the valley of dying stars” and “Last call for vitrol”. The shows that I attended after the Elektra ending only showed how strong they would remain with their fans. After John Davis took a break to work on solo material and focus on his faith. The local scene was buzzing was buzzing that there may be a reunion. So with curiosity I asked John Davis through Myspace if I could interview him for a awesome website called Rocksellout.com:
BVS:When Making Regretfully Yours, what was it like to be a band from Knoxville and making a record for a major label? What was the process for picking the producer? I really like a lot of the sounds on that record. I remember being young and seeing that picture of the studio and wanting to be an engineer in a studio like that. Funny enough about a month later I went and started recording.
JD: It was pretty wild, you know? At the same time, all along the way, I remember thinking that with each step we took in that direction, it was just the next logical thing to have happen. We worked very hard and we were 110% dedicated to the band at all times. We got to pick the producer we wanted; we picked Tim O’Heir because he produced “Bakesale” by Sebadoh, and “Eleven: Eleven” by Come and had worked with Dinosaur Jr.
BVS: Any fun stories making the “Sucked Out” Video? It always looked fun to make. I always loved the sets, colors and cinematography of that video.
JD: Well, Chis Applebaum the director was alot of fun to hang out with. He did both of our videos. I remember our management watching us like hawks all day long to make sure we didn’t get hold of any liquor. Yet, most of the performance footage they used was shot after we started getting hammered. Like the shot where I jump through the drum kit. It’s hard to pretend to play and sing on camera and not feel like an idiot.
BVS: I always really like “Slot Machine” from Regretfully yours. Always such a great opening to the record. It kinda set the tone and summed up what your were in for. Was that the idea when putting it in the track listing?
JD: That was just one of the songs we always played. It had been kicking around for awhile. I wrote the song and made the first 4-track demo on 4-20-94. That entire record was more or less just our live set at the time.
BVS: When working on “Head Trip in every key” was it the bands idea to have Andy Wallace mix a couple of tracks? What was it like having the man that mixed Nevermind and Grace behind the board?
JD: No, that was the label’s idea. Honestly, we liked Jerry’s mixes better. Those were the ones that went on the album. On the first pressing, Andy Wallace was credited erroneously. He mixed the “Do The Vampire” single for Radio. Nothing against Andy Wallace; obviously, he’s an excellent mixer.
BVS: “Sold You An Alibi” is one of my fav Superdrag songs. What is the story behind the lyrics and what is up with the whoo in the opening?
JD: I guess it’s just about a failed romance, I don’t know. Something that didn’t work out. That’s Tom yelling “Whoo.” I think I did the “Hey!” People used to do that whenever we’d play the song.
BVS: Everytime I hear “She is a holy Grail” I picture a Jean Luc Godard film with some girl taking stroll down the strip stopping to smell the flowers or reading magazines like in a “Woman is a woman”. What kind of film would this be in from your imagination. Like who would be the director, star and story?
JD: David Lynch. Sherilyn Fenn. A slow descent into madness.
BVS”Gimmie Animosity” always will have one of the greatest guitar sounds recorded in my mind anyway. It always had this big relaxing sound. What kind of gear was used on this recording as a guitarist? What is behind the lyrics?
JD: I think the main guitar is a flame-top Les Paul Standard through Nick’s JCM 800 and a 4 x 12. Brandon was playing a 1960 Jazzmaster through a ‘61 Fender Bassman “piggyback” rig. There were several guitar overdubs on that one, too. The lyrics are about loss; specifically the loss of a loved one.
BVS: Was it weird to see Nick go own to be the big sized producer working with the Foo Fighters with him being a Knoxville native? I always thought it was cool he got big and then produced a Slack record. That is a true engineer in my book. In it for the sound and great music.
JD: Oh man, none of the things that Nick has gone on to achieve were surprising to me at all. He’s got the goods. He’s a hard-working guy. It was a real joy to get to work with him again on my new album (Arigato!)
BVS:I noticed when “Last Call for Vitriol” came out there was more of Western feel to it. I know Mic Harrison was on E Squared and had been brought into the band. Was this the sound you were looking for and what made you want to explore this sound?
JD: Just listening to alot of Hard Country and Honky-Tonk records in our van, basically. I bought a pedal steel; why not write a song that featured it? Oddly enough, I’ve done maybe half a dozen session jobs playing pedal steel on projects that have come out recently our will soon be coming out. I’ve been working for Chuck Mead from BR-549 as a sideman lately; matter of fact, I got to play on the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night. I never thought I’d end up doing that.
BVS: Was it hard to make a transition from Superdrag into writing by yourself for the solo record?
JD: The writing process stayed more or less the same; we always arranged the stuff collectively. Don is a really gifted arranger.
BVS: Now it’s time for some random questions…What are your top 5 records so far this year?
JD:The only “new” record I bought this year was “Beyond” by Dinosaur Jr. So that’s #1.
BVS:If you co write a song with anyone, who would that person be?
JD: Probably Kevin Shields.
BVS: What does philosophy from the road would you pass on to your children?
JD: Keep your eyes open. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
BVS: I am about to be a married man what marriage tips can you give?
JD: Listen to one another, respect one another, and share your household chores.
BVS: Finally…..When will we see Superdrag together again?
JD: Well depends on where you’re at. If you’re in Knoxville, try Barley’s Taproom on October 20.
Superdrag will be hitting the road with the following Tour dates:
October 05 - Nashville, TN @ City Hall
October 13 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
October 20 - Knoxville, TN @ Barley’s Taproom
November 02 - New York, NY @ The Fillmore
November 03 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
November 08 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Sold You An Alibi
Sucked Out
Gimme Animosity
- Brock
July 18th, 2007 at 12:46 am
great read. i’ve always loved songs like “sucked out,” “keep it close to me,” “really thru”…
July 18th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Fantastic!! I love the way you asked questions about their entire catalaog…nicely done, Brock!!
July 18th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
yeah this band was highly influential in my earlier years to me - i had no idea this was happening. it may warrant a trip to Chicago. i still haven’t heard his solo stuff, is it worth checking out? that old picture from the Sucked Out single is amazing.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Tom gets extra points for wearing a shirt that says Chicago haha
July 25th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
thanks for this interview - well done.
superdrag is my husband and I’s favorite band for the last 11 years.
we could never say thank you enough to john davis.
he is SO talented it’s scary.
all the best to him and all the superdrag guys.
we will always buy anything john or the rest of the band makes available.
please keep it coming!!
YOUR MUSIC IS IMMORTAL!
October 11th, 2007 at 3:41 am
Hi, Very nice place you have here. You