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The Urge is an alternative rock band based in St. Louis, Missouri. Their music combines several genres, including hardcore punk, heavy metal, ska, reggae, funk, and rhythm and blues. Consistent touring throughout the 1990s earned the band a reputation for high-energy live performances.

History [link]

The Urge was originally formed in 1987 by Webster Groves High School classmates Jeff Herschel (drums), Karl Grable (bass), and Pat Malecek (guitar). The band went through two singers before recruiting Steve Ewing for vocal duties in 1988. Their first album was released in 1989, the cassette-only "Bust Me Dat Forty", followed a year later by the LP "Puttin the Backbone Back", which featured the addition of saxophonist Jordan Chalden.

After trombonist Matt Kwiatkowski was recruited in 1992, the group released "Magically Delicious", which also featured contributions from trumpeter Tony Albano. Chalden left the band shortly after to deal with substance abuse problems. Later that year, the group added saxophonist/keyboardist Bill Reiter and trombonist/keyboardist Todd Painter. In early 1993, the band released the LP "Fat Babies in the Mix", a live concert album recorded at Mississippi Nights.

After Herschel and Malecek left the band in 1994 to pursue other career paths, guitarist Jerry Jost and drummer John Pessoni joined the lineup. Frequent touring with 311 increased the band's fan base.

In 1995 the band independently released Receiving The Gift of Flavor. Regional radio play of songs "Brainless", "All Washed Up", and "Violent Opposition", as well as successful album sales, 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" (featuring singer Nick Hexum of 311), as well as the singles "Closer" and "Straight to Hell". Jump Right In can be heard in an episode of MTV's Daria and MTV's The Real World.

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.

Reformation in 2011 [link]

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).^[1] 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 [link]

Current:

• Steve Ewing — lead vocals
• Karl Grable — bass
• Jerry Jost — guitar
• Matt Kwiatkowski — trombone
• John Pessoni — drums/vocals
• Bill Reiter — saxophone/keyboards/vocals

Former:

• Jeff Herschel - drums
• Pat Malacek - guitar
• Jordan Chalden - saxophone
• Todd Painter - trombone/keyboards

Discography [link]

Other Notable Songs [link]

• "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 Prince song)
• "One Love" (Live cover of the Bob Marley song)
• "I Need More Time" (Live cover of The Meters song)
• "Lazy Boy Dash" By Jimmie's Chicken Shack (Featured Steve Ewing Vocals)
• "I'm Not Crying For You" By Save Ferris (Featured Steve Ewing Vocals)

Compilation Contributions [link]

• Mashin' Up The Nation! Best Of American Ska Vol. I & II - Track 14, "Dark Age" (1992)
• Pointessential Volume 1 - Track 12, "Violent Opposition (Demo Version)" (1994)
• River of Sound '94 - Track 5, "Bad Neighborhood" (1994)
• KLZR 105.9 The Lazer: Big Sandwich - Track 1, "Take Away" (1996)
• Korn Life Is Peachy Tour Sampler - Track 2, "All Washed Up (Live)" (1996)
• Made In The Middle - Disc 2, Track 1, "Brainless" (1996)
• 7" US Immortal Sampler- 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 Tribute - 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. Soundtrack - Track 5, "It's My Turn To Fly" (2000)

Music Videos [link]

• "Brainless"
• "All Washed Up"
• "Jump Right In"
• "Too Much Stereo"

References [link]

Crone, Thomas Second Set: The Urge brings back the crazy (2012), St. Louis Beacon

External links [link]

• theurge.net
• PTMFUS.com, official fansite
• The Urge on WikiLou

Notes [link]