Urge Overkill

Exuding a rebels-without-a-cause swagger, Urge Overkill were primed to be rock stars from the start.

Formed in 1985, the Chicago band had all the key elements in place: squalling guitars, endless punk attitude, and even burgeoning producer/engineer Steve Albini (then-roommate of vocalist/guitarist Nash Kato) working the boards.

Following the release of their 1989 debut album, the dirty, dissonant Jesus Urge Superstar, Urge Overkill stormed forward with a string of albums that beefed up their rock intensity, highlighted their glammy power-pop proclivities, and brought a welcome sense of humor to the otherwise angsty indie scene.