Four decades running, Naked Raygun is one of the most important bands in the history of Chicago punk rock. The band has also been credited with creating āthe Chicago sound.ā
Naked Raygun was formed in 1980 by Santiago Durango (guitar),Marko Pezzati (bass) and, soon thereafter, Jeff Pezatti(vocals). Jeff Pezzati has been the sole constant member through
multiple personnel changes.
The band was initially active, and prolifically so, from 1980-1992, releasing five studio albums: Throb Throb (1985), All Rise (1986), Jettison (1988), Understand? (1989), and Raygun…
Naked Raygun (1990).
Following disbandment in 1991, Naked Raygun played a reunion show in 1997, and then reunited āfor goodā in 2006, starting with a performance at Chicagoās Riot Fest.
And now, 15 years into their resurrection, Over The Overlords has been released on Wax Trax! Records. The album is the bandāsĀ sixth, and their first in 31 years. Sadly, it is also the final record to feature longtime bassist, Pierre Kezdy, who passed away from cancer late 2020 following the completion of recording the new album.
Over The Overlords LP consists of 11 new songs with the CD format containing two bonus tracks: A remix of āLiving In The Good Timesā by Paul Barker and an unreleased live version of
āKnock Me Downā.
The viny release of ‘Over The Overlords’ is available in two variants.
Standard LP with all 11 songs (+ Outro)
In Black & Red (Black/Grey version has sold out)
Deluxe 2 x LP (includes the full album + Paul Barker remix + 4 live songs)
CD format includes full album + Paul Barker remix + 1 live song
‘Over The Overloards’ Track Listing:
Go the Spoils
Living In the Good Times
Soul Hole Baby (Robert Mitchum)
Superheroes
Treat Me Unkind
Suicide Bomb
Broken Things
Amishes
Black and Grey
Ode to Sean McKeough
Farewell to Arms
Outro Outre
Bonus Songs:
Living In The Good Times (Paul Barker Remix)
Knock Me Down (Live 2015)
Treason – Live
Peacemaker – Live
Vanilla Blue – Live
(Live tracks – Previously unreleased)
The current lineup consists of members Jeff Pezzati, Eric Spicer, and Bill Stephens, with Fritz Doreza stepping in to take Pierreās place.
āBesides being an amazing record, the thing that makes us so happy about this album is the fact that Pierreās first release was on Wax Trax! in 1981, and the last album he recorded before his passing is this current Naked Raygun release,ā says Wax Trax! owner Julia Nash. "We are honored to be a part of Pierreās first and last release on the label. āWeāve had a very special history with Naked Raygun for decades and this felt right on so many levels.ā