Warning: Undefined array key "sharing_networks_networks_sorting" in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/monarch/monarch.php on line 3904
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/monarch/monarch.php on line 3904
Photo: Courtesy of Elvis Wilson
John Davis first came into prominence as the voice and songwriter behind the Knoxville, Tennessee-based band Superdrag. Superdrag had one of the most memorable rock hits of 1996, “Sucked Out,” which put them on the expected circuit of MTV and radio festivals. The band released another three influential albums before disbanding in 2003, at which point John began a solo career (which included the excellent Arigato!). Superdrag reunited in 2007 for one studio album and a few years of limited touring. A few years later in 2012, John and original Superdrag guitarist Brandon Fisher began making home recordings under the name The Lees Of Memory – eventually recruiting former Pink Spiders drummer Nick Slack – and put out their debut full-length Sisyphus Says out last year.
While John and Brandon aren’t touring full-time anymore, The Lees Of Memory – or “The Lees,” as John has been known to call them – have been steadily put out new recordings. They also performed a handful of gigs last year with a six-piece lineup that included former Superdrag bassist (and current Nashville music industry power broker) Sam Powers. In advance of their next full-length comes a new single, which will be released through Velocity Of Sound on July 28th. The B-Side to the single, “Let’s Turn Our Love Up Loud,” is currently streaming exclusively on The Onion’s A.V. Club website.
Still a resident of Tennessee all these years later, John took the time to answer questions about his musical past, present and future.
Your old band Superdrag influenced a lot of influential bands like Foo Fighters, The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, The Marvelous 3, MxPx and American Hi-Fi. Do you look back at this with pride? Or is Superdrag entirely in your rearview mirror?
The Lees Of Memory’s John Davis: I’m not even sure if it’s in the rearview mirror anymore…it’s, like, a couple exits back now. But seriously, I mean, yeah, I’m proud if anybody likes the work we did, whether they’re in a band or not! As for whether or not we’ve influenced those particular bands, I mean, yeah, I’ve heard things like that suggested before…I can’t really say whether we have or haven’t. If they cared enough about us to claim us as an influence, then I thank them. The truth is that I just don’t spend much time thinking about Superdrag. People like to dwell on all the “would’ve done this, could’ve been that, should’ve gotten more praise for this or that album” and I just can’t put my energies into that anymore. The records are what they are, they did what they did, and I stand behind them as being the absolute best and most heartfelt efforts we were capable of at the time. I guess that’s all that matters, ultimately. I would like to give a shout-out to SideOneDummy [Records] for reissuing [Superdrag album] Head Trip In Every Key on vinyl, though; I felt like they redressed a 16-year grievance with that, and seeing it done with that much care and such elegant packaging was definitely a personal victory. So thank you, SideOneDummy!
Although you released a full-length as The Lees Of Memory last year, you’ve already released a few singles. Should we be expecting more singles from the band?
J: Hopefully! We’ve got about 30 new songs, but our sort of “concept” for the LP is something shorter than last time; shorter songs, primarily, but just a more concise, 45-minute-or-so statement, you know? I mean, [The Beatles’ album] Rubber Soul is 35:50 long. Some of the songs on the first album really stretched out, which is fine, but we’re in sort of a different gear with this one. BUT we still want to find time and opportunity to record and release as many of the non-album tracks as we possibly can. This latest 45 on Velocity Of Sound is a perfect example. By the way, it comes out July 28! I’d love to do two or three more of those type releases before the new album drops.
How would you describe your new single to someone who hasn’t yet heard it?
J: Hmm… I would say it’s tuneful, and soulful, and at least one side of it may be vaguely psychedelic. For further explanation, listeners should consult the run-off matrix on the record.
Superdrag was signed to a major label in your early 20s, yet The Lees Of Memory is a product of your early 40s. Is there a different approach in how you write and perform?
J: Not really. Obviously, we don’t do nearly as much performing! But the approach to writing hasn’t changed at all. Right down to the demoing equipment. I’ve been using the same Yamaha MT4X cassette 4-track and the same SM-58 since 1996. That’s just the way I do it!
Superdrag’s old manager and record labels were based in New York, yet you never left Tennessee — even when you were doing a lot of writing and recording in our state. Why was that?
J: Because Tennessee is obviously the best place to be! I’ll never leave it.
In your heavy-duty touring years, where did you enjoy hanging out most in Manhattan?
J: Well, we never did all that much “hanging out,” you know? We were almost always working. Baby Monster [Studios – 135 W 14th Street] was probably my favorite place to hang out! I mean, when it comes down to it, aren’t bars are more or less the same wherever you go?
What is about a New York crowd that is different from an audience anywhere else?
J: I’ve always found them to be more…involved than some? I guess it depends on the night, but typically they’d send some energy back towards the stage as opposed to just having it all dissipate outward into the black box never to be seen again. New York seems to produce a higher caliber of heckler than many places, also. I can always appreciate a talented heckler.
Are there any musical projects happening for you besides The Lees Of Memory? Perhaps more from Epic Ditch?
J: Not really. All the bandwidth I have for rockin’ is pretty much committed to the Lees right now. Although I have been working on some new music with my neighbor Cowboy Concept Ya’ll that I’m pretty stoked on; he’s stockpiling some songs for a full-length right now. I’m stoked that he’s willing to have his musical concepts filtered through my 4-track aesthetic and janky set-up at High Bias!!! A Cassette-Based Operation™!
Past or present, what is an album that our readers should check out?
J: I am presently ping-ponging back and forth between Miles Davis’ Live-Evil and Grateful Dead’s Europe ’72, myself. Those are hittin’ the spot right now!
Finally, John, any last words for the kids?
J: Keep it positive!
-by Darren Paltrowitz