ED Roeser, co-frontman of Urge Overkill, says he’s used to being asked about Pulp Fiction.
The band shot to fame in 1994 when their cover of Neil Diamond’s Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon, featured in a scene of the movie depicting Mia Wallace’s (Uma Thurman) overdose on heroin.
“It came about at a time when we were on the way out,” Roeser (pictured third from left) says. “Things were getting dark for us at the time.
“In the end it was a bit ironic because it was the last song you’d ever pick to represent our sound, and it was two years old. For whatever reason it ended up catching on.”
The band released its fifth album, Exit The Dragon, in 1995, but things turned sour shortly after its release. In-fighting eventually led to their break-up.
Roeser says the weight of expectations and dreams of international success ultimately proved their downfall. “Animosity goes up when the stakes are high,” he says. “When you’re on the verge of superstardom things take on an unrealistic quality, and we were living in this weird in-between world.”
Roeser admits the group began to turn on each other when success faltered.
“We basically blew it. We dropped the ball. But that we got that chance at all is a miracle. And there are people who count Urge as their favourite band. That’s a great thing.”
The band reformed in 2004, after pleading from the music community and fans in Chicago proved too strong to ignore.
“We didn’t have much to lose,” Roeser says. “So Nash [Kato, co-frontman, second from left] and I talked about it and realised all the petty stuff that happened just wasn’t relevant anymore.”
Roeser says the band is back in full flight, and having more fun.
“It’s really been worth it and rejuvenating for Nash and myself.’’
The band is headed to Australia on the back of 2011’s Rock & Roll Submarine – its first album in 16 years – which was well-received by critics and fans.
“We’re really at a point now where we’re doing something that is instinctively us. Our entire future isn’t hinging on this so you can expect a more honest performance.”
Urge Overkill performs at The Espy on Thursday March 8. Tickets on sale now at espy.com.au.
