Nash Kato to bring 'straight-up rock 'n' roll' to Charleston

By: Greg Walker/ Staff Writer

Posted: 10/31/03

The frontman from one of the most underrated bands of the 90's and one of the best bands to come out of Chicago is hitting the stage at Friends & Co. Friday.

Nash Kato was a guitarist and front man for Urge Overkill for their whole 12 years together, now he is solo and in Charleston for what is sure to be a memorable show. Urge Overkill hit the big time with their 1993 release "Saturation" and became even more popular when their cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" was featured in Quentin Tarantino's classic movie "Pulp Fiction" in 1994, earning them a place on the charts and in people's CD collection.

Urge Overkill would go on to release a follow up to "Saturation," "Exit the Dragon" in 1995, which was just as good as "Saturation" but not received as well by the public. Due to record company problems and issues inside the band, the writing was on the walls for Urge Overkill, but it was just the beginning for Nash Kato. There are pretty good odds that even if you don't know who Urge Overkill was or who Nash Kato is you've probably seen or heard them before and did not realize it.

Urge Overkill made a cameo performance in the Farrelly Brother's movie "Kingpin" playing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"We were playing a show and afterwards the Farrelly Brothers introduced themselves

and said that they were fans and wanted us to play a song in a scene for a movie that they had already finished. The next day they flew us out and we filmed

the scene," Kato said.

Kato also made a brief appearance in "Wayne's World 2" on the soundtrack and

in the film. In the soundtrack, Kato sang a song with women's rock pioneer Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders singing "Superstar" under the group name of Superfan.

With the breakup of Urge Overkill, Kato decided to take the familiar route that others before him have and go solo. But unlike many newly-christened solo artists before him, Kato was not going to go in a different direction with his sound.

"I'm not going to come out and say, yes this is my new direction, I will

have four drum machines and synthesizers," Kato said.

In April of 2000, Kato released his solo album "Debutante" with songs that were in the same vane as Urge Overkill, but now they were all his own.

Kato says how he plays his music is completely different from when he is in the studio compared to how he is onstage.

"When I'm in the studio I can be sensitive, but when I'm on stage I'm over the top and

in your face," said Kato.

And that is exactly what he is looking forward to bringing to Charleston. Kato, who is now playing concerts with a new backing band, is ready for something new.

"We've got a new thing set. We actually have people in the band who really don't live

around each other, so our sound check is basically going to be our rehearsal at the same time."

There is nothing to fear though-Kato is already making predictions for the show: "No one will be left unsatisfied."

The songs planned for Friday's show will be from "Debutante" and Urge Overkill's catalog. If you want to categorize the sound of these songs, all you need to know is that they are "straight-up rock 'n' roll," according to Kato.

The former Urge Overkill frontman is shooting for releasing a new solo record sometime in spring with his new band. In other exciting news, as was reported on Billboard.com and confirmed by Kato, Urge Overkill is planning a reunion show for New Year's Eve, no details or venue are set

yet.

Along with the concert there is going to be a Halloween costume contest and free giveaways. Tickets are selling fast for the show, according to Friends owner Jason Kottwitz.

The show, which will be opened by local band The Rural Kings, starts at 10 p.m. at Friends and Co. Kato and his band will take the stage around 11:30 p.m