Concert Review: Superdrag 2 Sold-Out Nights in New York City

On Saturday, October 4, Superdrag put on a 2-night sold-out show in New York City, downtown Manhattan, at The Bowery Ballroom. It was Saturday, and for those who know me, you know how my day starts when preparing for a concert. I attended the second night, and the Bowery Ballroom was filled with 575 New Yorkers, mostly older than me. I remember the last show I attended with an older audience was at Brooklyn Bowl; it was a Spin Doctors show, so I was expecting grumpy, drunk old people, but it was the opposite. When Superdrag announced their concert earlier this year, it was notable as their sole performance, featuring one show on the West Coast and another on the East Coast. The band had disbanded a decade earlier, with its members pursuing various endeavors since then. Therefore, I was completely blown away to learn that the New York City concert was happening. After 16 years, I was finally going to see one of my brother's all-time favorite bands! The original lineup—John Davis, Brandon Fisher, Tom Pappas, and Don Coffey Jr.—was set to perform in an intimate club setting. It felt like a dream realized for my brother, and I couldn't help but think that someone might be a bit jealous right now. And I was more than excited for Superdrag at The Bowery Ballroom. So, I took my camera out and snapped a photo for the early bird fans with the Superdrag members. It felt like I was part of the crew. The band was very warm; Michael Creamer, the band manager, shook my hand and said, “Thank you for coming out and for taking photos.” Andy was very welcoming too; he was a dedicated fan of Superdrag back in the day, and to this day, he goes out and tours with them. That’s when I knew he was Filipino because of his warm approach and smile.

Mic Harrison took the stage with his solo project, "The High Score” to open the stage. I'm not familiar with their music, but Mic Harrison was once a guitar player in Superdrag from 2001 to 2003, stepping in after Brandon Fisher. During the performance, they introduced a new song, collaborating onstage with the two producers who contributed to its creation. The show put on by Mic Harisson and The High Score was truly remarkable, showcasing their talent and energy. 

For the next hour, John Davis took the mic and gave us “Whitey's Theme” to open the stage, and it's from their first full length album, “Regretfully Yours.” The moment John sang and I heard his voice, it was like I was traveling back in time; he still had that vibe. Tom Pappas (bassist) delivered an energetic performance that blew us away. Despite his age, Tom was like in his prime handling that bass; he was jumping, and his energy gave the band more excitement. I could also see Brandon and Don having their moment, enjoying the night and playing like it was the '90s. It was 1996 when this album came out, and I remember my brother played it very loudly in his room. So basically, I first heard of Superdrag because of him. Later that night, when they played “Sucked Out,” one of their biggest hits from that album, the crowd was singing with their phones up to record them playing. It was just pure nostalgia; it was amazing. And here’s something everyone wasn’t expecting: they will release a new record after being on hiatus for more than a decade.

Throughout the night, I alternated between the balcony, the main floor, and the stairs in between. If you've visited The Bowery Ballroom, you're familiar with its sometimes claustrophobic atmosphere. On this particular evening, both levels were filled to capacity, resembling an overstuffed house party rather than a conventional concert. The environment was devoid of moshing, fighting, or any aggressive behavior; instead, it was a gathering of people united in their appreciation for Superdrag.

Night 2 Setlist; 

Whitey's Theme, Keep It Close to Me, Gimme Animosity, Carried, In the Valley of Dying Stars, Sugar, Extra-Sensory, No Goodbye (New song), Pine Away, Slot Machine, Phaser, Nothing Good Is Real, Feeling Like I Do, Ambulance Driver, Sold You an Alibi, Sucked Out, Cynicality, Destination Ursa Major, I Am Incinerator, Lighting the Way, True Believer