Urge Overkill
by Stephen Thomas ErlewineFew bands ever lusted after rock stardom quite as blatantly as Chicagos Urge Overkill. Although they draped their quest for stardom in a cloak of ironic detachment, its quite clear the trio expected that if they acted like stars, they would become stars. For a while, their stylish, retro-70s outfits, matching medallions, and heavy Cheap Trick homages earned the group a popular following in alternative rock circles. The SuperSonic Storybook and the Stull EP were both underground hits in the early 90s, before alternative rock became big business. Once alternative rock entered the big leagues, it seemed likely that Urge Overkill, with their exceptionally accessible combination of arena rock, power-pop and underground punk, would follow Nirvana to the top of the charts, but mainstream America never quite understood their ironic outlook, embracing the group only after their cover of Neil Diamonds Girl, Youll Be A Woman So...