The Urge
Encyclopedia
The Urge is a St. Louis
rock band formed in 1987 by drummer
Jeff Herschel, bassist
Karl Grable, guitarist
Pat Malecek, and singer Steve Ewing. Their music combines multiple styles of music including ska
, hardcore punk
, thrash metal
, funk
, reggae
, and hip hop
.
helped The Urge win a number of new fans. The 1995 release of Receiving The Gift of Flavor
was so successful that it brought the band to the attention of Epic's
Immortal
imprint, which reissued the LP in 1996.
After constant touring with the likes of labelmates KoЯn
and Incubus
, Master of Styles
was released in 1998, containing the hit "Jump Right In" which featured singer Nick Hexum
of 311
, as well as the minor hits "Straight To Hell" and "Divide and Conquer".
Following the release of Too Much Stereo
in mid-2000, the band toured for nearly a year before calling it quits. In summer 2001, the band went its separate ways due to musical differences.
Since breaking up in 2001, the band has played several reunion shows. Frontman Steve Ewing has made several solo records under the name Stevie E. and is currently assisting several growing local St. Louis rock bands including Zamudio, The Dead End, and Lojic. Guitarist Jerry Jost was almost chosen as the replacement guitarist for Limp Bizkit
after Wes Borland left the band in 2002. The other members still reside in St. Louis and are involved in several musical projects.
Their hit Jump Right In can be heard in an episode of MTV
's Daria
and MTV
's The Real World
.
On September 10, 2011 while playing Pointfest the band announced that they will be playing two shows at The Pageant in St. Louis MO on November 11th and 12th. Three weeks later, after quickly selling out the Novermber 11th and 12th shows, the band announce a third show at The Pageant on November 18th and a fourth on November 25th.
Former:
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
rock band formed in 1987 by drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Jeff Herschel, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Karl Grable, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Pat Malecek, and singer Steve Ewing. Their music combines multiple styles of music including ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
.
History
The original Urge lineup debuted in 1989 with the cassette-only "Bust Me Dat Forty", followed a year later by the LP Puttin the Backbone Back. After the addition of trombonist Matt Kwiatkowski, the group released 1992's Magically Delicious. Later the group added trombonist/keyboardist Todd Painter and saxophonist/keyboardist Bill Reiter, and in 1993 recorded the live LP Fat Babies in the Mix. After Herschel and Malecek left the band in 1994, guitarist Jerry Jost and drummer John Pessoni joined the lineup, and subsequent touring with 311311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
helped The Urge win a number of new fans. The 1995 release of Receiving The Gift of Flavor
Receiving the Gift of Flavor
Receiving The Gift of Flavor is the fifth album by The Urge. It was originally released in 1995 in cassette and CD format under the band's own label Neat Guy Recordings. After the band was signed to Immortal Records, the album was re-released switching out the song “Killing is Easy” for “Take Away”...
was so successful that it brought the band to the attention of Epic's
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
Immortal
Immortal Records
Immortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment...
imprint, which reissued the LP in 1996.
After constant touring with the likes of labelmates KoЯn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
and Incubus
Incubus (band)
Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
, Master of Styles
Master of Styles
Master of Styles is the sixth album by The Urge. It was released in 1998 in cassette and CD format. The Album produced 3 singles and sold 250,000 copies...
was released in 1998, containing the hit "Jump Right In" which featured singer Nick Hexum
Nick Hexum
Nicholas Lofton Hexum is an American musician, currently the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band 311.-Early life:Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Hexum went to Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska...
of 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, as well as the minor hits "Straight To Hell" and "Divide and Conquer".
Following the release of Too Much Stereo
Too Much Stereo
Too Much Stereo is the seventh and last album by The Urge. It was released in 2000 in cassette and CD format. The Album produced 2 singles and sold 125,00 copies...
in mid-2000, the band toured for nearly a year before calling it quits. In summer 2001, the band went its separate ways due to musical differences.
Since breaking up in 2001, the band has played several reunion shows. Frontman Steve Ewing has made several solo records under the name Stevie E. and is currently assisting several growing local St. Louis rock bands including Zamudio, The Dead End, and Lojic. Guitarist Jerry Jost was almost chosen as the replacement guitarist for Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
after Wes Borland left the band in 2002. The other members still reside in St. Louis and are involved in several musical projects.
Their hit Jump Right In can be heard in an episode of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Daria
Daria
Daria is an American animated television series produced by Paramount Television, and created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn for MTV. The series focuses on Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, acerbic, and somewhat misanthropic teenage girl who observes the world around her...
and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's The Real World
The Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
.
Reformation in 2011
On July 15 2011, The Urge confirmed that they would be reforming to write new music. Their new single "Say Yeah" debuted immediately following the announcement at Pop's live on the radio. Their first show back together was Pointfest 29. During the live radio interview, the band discussed with Donny Fandango that the new music will be entirely new material, and will not be the abandoned album "Escape From Boys Town" from 2001 (which they currently have no plans of resurrecting). They also launched their new website TheUrge.net.On September 10, 2011 while playing Pointfest the band announced that they will be playing two shows at The Pageant in St. Louis MO on November 11th and 12th. Three weeks later, after quickly selling out the Novermber 11th and 12th shows, the band announce a third show at The Pageant on November 18th and a fourth on November 25th.
Band members
Current:- Steve EwingSteve EwingSteve Ewing is the lead singer of the St. Louis, Missouri based band The Urge. Ewing made eight records with the band, and they toured for over a decade with heavyweights such as 311, Korn, and Incubus. Their three major label records on Immortal/Epic and Immortal/Virgin Records sold nearly one...
— Lead Vocals - Karl Grable — Bass Guitar
- Jerry JostJerry JostJerry Jost is an American sound engineer. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Sound for the film The Turning Point.-External links:...
— Guitar - Matt Kwiatkowski — Trombone
- John Pessoni — Drums
- Bill Reiter — Keyboards/Saxophone
Former:
- Todd Painter - Trombone/Keyboards
- Jeff Herschel - Drums
- Pat Malacek - Guitar
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Info | Units Sold | Singles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Bust Me Dat Forty | Neat Guy | DNC | ? | No Official Singles |
| 1990 | Putting the Backbone Back | Neat Guy | DNC | ? | No Official Singles |
| 1992 | Magically Delicious | Neat Guy | DNC | ? | No Official Singles |
| 1993 | Fat Babies in the Mix | Neat Guy | DNC | Unknown | No Official Singles |
| 1996 | Receiving The Gift of Flavor Receiving the Gift of Flavor Receiving The Gift of Flavor is the fifth album by The Urge. It was originally released in 1995 in cassette and CD format under the band's own label Neat Guy Recordings. After the band was signed to Immortal Records, the album was re-released switching out the song “Killing is Easy” for “Take Away”... |
Immortal Records Immortal Records Immortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment... |
DNC | 150,000 copies sold | "All Washed Up," "Brainless," "It's Gettin' Hectic" |
| 1998 | Master of Styles Master of Styles Master of Styles is the sixth album by The Urge. It was released in 1998 in cassette and CD format. The Album produced 3 singles and sold 250,000 copies... |
Immortal Records | #134 US | 250,000 copies sold | "Straight to Hell," "Jump Right In" (#10 US Modern Rock), "Closer" |
| 2000 | Too Much Stereo Too Much Stereo Too Much Stereo is the seventh and last album by The Urge. It was released in 2000 in cassette and CD format. The Album produced 2 singles and sold 125,00 copies... |
Immortal Records | #200 US | 125,000 copies sold | "Too Much Stereo" (#20 US Modern Rock), "Four Letters and Two Words" |
| 2000 | Live and Unreleased E.P. | Immortal Records | DNC | ? | No Official Singles |
| 2000 | Rare and Out of Print | Vintage Vinyl | DNC | ? | No Official Singles |
| 2011 | Unknown | Neat Guy | TBD | TBD | "Say Yeah" |
Other Notable Songs
- "Bad Neighborhood"
- "Go Feet" (B-side from "Too Much Stereo"
- "Its My Turn to Fly (Titan AE Soundtrack)
- "BBQ Rat" (cover of Ministry's "Stigmata" and a song called "Ali Baba" - only played live)
- "This Is Radio Clash" (Burning London: The Clash Tribute)
- "1999" (Unreleased studio cover of the PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
song) - "One Love" (Live cover of the Bob MarleyBob MarleyRobert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
song) - "I Need More Time" (Live cover of The MetersThe MetersThe Meters are an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977...
song) - "Lazy Boy Dash" By Jimmie's Chicken ShackJimmie's Chicken ShackJimmie's Chicken Shack is an American alternative rock band from Annapolis, Maryland. They emerged through MTV as one of the first Post-Grunge bands of the era...
(Featured Steve Ewing Vocals) - "I'm Not Crying For You" By Save FerrisSave FerrisSave Ferris was a ska punk band formed circa 1995 in Orange County, California. Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.-History:...
(Featured Steve Ewing Vocals)
Compilation Contributions
- Mashin' Up The Nation! Best Of American Ska Vol. I & II - Track 14, "Dark Age" (1992)
- Pointessential Volume 1KPNTKPNT is a commercial radio station licensed to Collinsville, IL, broadcasting to the St. Louis, Missouri area on 105.7 FM. KPNT airs a mainly modern rock music format with just a hint of active rock branded as "The Point".- History :...
- Track 12, "Violent Opposition (Demo Version)" (1994) - River of Sound '94 - Track 5, "Bad Neighborhood" (1994)
- KLZR 105.9 The Lazer: Big SandwichKLZRKLZR is a radio station in Lawrence, Kansas, broadcasting to the Topeka and Kansas City areas on 105.9 FM.KLZR-FM airs a hot adult contemporary music format branded as "Lazer 105.9".-History:...
- Track 1, "Take Away" (1996) - Korn Life Is Peachy Tour SamplerLife Is PeachyLife Is Peachy is the second studio album by the American nu metal band Korn, released on October 15, 1996 through Immortal/Epic Records. Following the success of their 1994 self-titled debut, Korn earned a second double platinum album in the United States, certified by the Recording Industry...
- Track 2, "All Washed Up (Live)" (1996) - Made In The Middle - Disc 2, Track 1, "Brainless" (1996)
- 7" US Immortal SamplerShoots and Ladders (song)"Shoots and Ladders" is a song written and recorded by American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's third single in 1995.-Music and structure:...
- Side A, Track 1, "Brainless" (1996) - Grunt - Track 15, "It's Getting Hectic" (1996)
- Sounds of 97 Vol. 4 - Track 18, "Brainless" (1997)
- Immortal Sampler '97 - Track 3, "Take Away" (1997)
- Immortal Sampler '98 - Track 6, "Jump Right In", Track 7, "Straight To Hell" (1998)
- Korn Family Values Extra Value CD - Track 9, "Straight To Hell" (1998)
- The Ozzfest '98 - Disc 2, Track 13, "Closer" (1998)
- Ozzfest Doggy Bag - Track 3, "Gene Machine" (1998)
- No Monthly Fee - Track 6, "Jump Right In" (1998)
- The Snow-Core Compilation - Track 9, "Brainless" (1998)
- The Urge/Incubus Sampler - Track 1, "Brainless" (1998)
- The Immortal 7 - Track 4, "Closer" (1998)
- This One Goes To 12 (Epic Records Sampler For Ozzfest) - Track 6, "All Washed Up" (1998)
- Kickn Mix - Track 6, "Identity Crisis"
- Pop/Rock Picks, Vol. 41 (Karaoke) - Track 7, "Jump Right In" (1998)
- Burning London: The Clash TributeBurning London: The Clash Tribute- External links :* Neva Chonin, Aidin Vaziri, Colin Berry, Gary Graff, David Wiegand, Dan Ouellette, Amanda Nowinski . . Collection. SFGate.* Keith Phipps . . Review. The A.V. Club.* Scott Schinder . . Pulse....
- Track 2, "This Is Radio Clash" (1999) - Immortal Sampler 2000 - Track 3, "4 Letters & 2 Words (No Horns Version)", Track 4, "Too Much Stereo" (2000)
- Titan A.E. SoundtrackTitan A.E.Titan A.E. is an American animated post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman released in 2000. The title refers to the spacecraft that is central to the plot, with A.E. meaning "After Earth."...
- Track 5, "It's My Turn To Fly" (2000)
External links
- theurge.net
- PTMFUS.com, official fansite
- The Urge on WikiLou