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 “the Chicago sound.”
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 “for good” in 2006, starting with a performance at Chicago’s Riot Fest.
And now, 15 years into their resurrection, Over The Overlords has been released on Wax Trax! Records. The album is the band’s 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 “Living In The Good Times” by Paul Barker and an unreleased live version of “Knock Me Down”.
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
The current lineup consists of members Jeff Pezzati, Eric Spicer, and Bill Stephens, with Fritz Doreza stepping in to take Pierre’s place.
“Besides being an amazing record, the thing that makes us so
happy about this album is the fact that Pierre’s first release
was on Wax Trax! in 1981, and the last album he recorded before
his passing is this current Naked Raygun release,” says Wax
Trax! owner Julia Nash. "We are honored to be a part of Pierre’s
first and last release on the label.
“We’ve had a very special history with Naked Raygun for decades
and this felt right on so many levels.”