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Last call for Superdrag? With defections and solo projects, band faces uncertain future
By: Wayne Bledsoe - KnoxNews.com

The decade-old Knoxville rock band will perform its last two shows with bassist Sam Powers this weekend (in Knoxville tonight and Nashville on Saturday), and there's no guarantee that Superdrag will perform again.

"I definitely would not like to go on the record saying that there will not be another Superdrag record or Superdrag show, but it's definitely time to step back and look at some different things," says Davis from his home in Nashville, where he moved in late 2002.

Ironically, the coming months will see a flurry of Superdrag material: The group plans a two-CD set of demos and rarities on their own label; a book on the band; and a recording by the pre-Superdrag group The Used (which featured Davis on drums, founding/former Superdrag bassist Tom Pappas on lead vocals and founding/former 'Drag guitarist Brandon Fisher on guitar). The disc is made up of new recordings of the band's vintage songs.

"We've had to change the name of the band because now there's another band with that name," says Davis. "We're just calling it the Used to Be - because there ain't gonna be a follow-up."

The indefinite hiatus of the group follows the release of two albums for Elektra Records (and the college radio hit "Sucked Out";) and three independent-label albums, including 2002's "Last Call for Vitriol," one of the band's most acclaimed.

The group had undergone several changes through the years. Both Fisher and Pappas left the band after the release of 1998's adventurous "Head Trip in Every Key."

Nashvillian Sam Powers stepped in to the bass role and former V-Roy Mic Harrison eventually returned Superdrag to a two-guitar band.

Both new members augmented the group with songwriting and singing skills.

However, Powers recently decided to leave the band.

"He wants to spend time with his wife and family, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel the same," says Davis. "This is happening at a time that I guess we're all a little burnt out. Pretty much my whole adult life has been spent on tour. Anything I've done has had to fit in with that. Definitely as you get older you want more out of life than free beer and gas to get to the next show - but that does last for a long while."

Drummer Don Coffey is increasing his work as a producer and engineer. Harrison is finishing up a new solo album.

"I think it's really going to blow people's minds," says Davis. "I think it's the best songwriting and singing that he's ever done."

Powers has a non-music job, but Davis feels certain that the band's former bassist will continue to make new music.

As for Davis, expect more music, but it will come from a different place. After reaching a psychological nadir following the 1998 death of his grandfather, Davis underwent a spiritual awareness after giving up alcohol.

While he says that he doesn't know if his new work will fall into the Christian market or the "just music" category, he will not skirt his faith.

"I'm definitely in a much different frame of mind, spiritually, and I want to reflect that in no uncertain terms," says Davis. "I don't want to be wishy-washy. The music may not be that radically different. I just want to be real honest."

How Davis' rock fans will accept the new music is anybody's guess.

"It's really kind of scary," says Davis. "I've talked with (producer) R.S. Field, and he seems real sympathetic to what I'm trying to do and he's into helping me musically."

He says that nothing is yet recorded, and so far his only audience for the new material is his wife, Wendy.

"At this point I'm just trying to write as much as possible."