Artist description With a sardonic wit, an army of hooks, and harmonies galore, Chicago’s National Drag has created a brand of power-pop that is being called, “intelligent, straightforward, and honest.” While their roots lie in 60’s Brit Pop, 70’s New Wave, and 90’s Pop Punk, National Drag takes the best elements of those genres and make it uniquely theirs. See why they’re being hailed as, “The best local band I have seen in a long time.” (Chicago Music Network) www.nationaldrag.com

Music Style Power-Pop

Musical Influences Beatles, Badfinger, Weezer, Sloan, Fountains of Wayne

Similar Artists Fountains of Wayne, Sloan, Weezer, Blur

Artist History Somewhere between high anxiety and high fidelity…character study and character assassination…self-loathing and self-gratification…exist National Drag. With the release of their 2000 and 2001 EP’s, National Drag earned a reputation as one of Chicago’s premier power-pop outfits. Praised by critics for their unique blend of genres, sweet-styled harmonies, and catchy three-minute pop gems, the band found a welcome home with fans of Elvis Costello, Weezer, Blur, and Fountains of Wayne. On their long awaited debut record, National Drag, songwriters Jimmy Drag and F. Scott National have removed the influences from their sleeves, and crafted a sound all their own. The band leaves few stones unturned, tackling such subject matter as love, social indifference, fear of commitment, regret, anxiety, perseverance, and marital aides. Drag and National have found their voice…often witty, sometimes scathing, but always true to their hearts. Stylistically, the band has broadened considerably, commingling their traditional power-pop sound (“I Think I Love You, Michelle,” “Forever Girl,” “I’m Not Where It’s At”) with heavier arrangements (“In Shadows,” “Poor Toxic Heart”) and lush three-part harmonies (“It’s Only Natural,” “Hear Me Out,” “Every Day is Saturday”). What makes it all work is Drag and National’s ability to deconstruct the human condition and touch a chord with listeners. Their message is universal and their sound engaging. National Drag will leave its mark on the first listen.

Group Members F. Scott National: Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitar Jimmy Drag: Lead & Backing Vocals, Bass Local G: Drums, Percussion

Albums National Drag EP, 2000 Sitcom EP, 2001

Press Reviews National Drag 6 Song EP Reviewer: Chicagogigs.com This EP mixes the best of so-called indie rock from both sides of the pond. With wry, self-depreciating lyrics and poppy musical arrangements, the band sounds like a believable cross between Weezer and Suede, with a little Elvis Costello thrown in for good measure. The band’s influences, however, lie heavily in the past. The flavor of the Kinks is detectable here, but the intelligent melodies and jangle-y tunes are distinctly Beatles. The great thing about the songs, though, is that while rooted in the British Invasion and flowering in garden of great American Indie Rock, National Drag somehow come out with a sound all their own. The standout track on this EP, Things Aren’t Going My Way Anymore, is a well-crafted pop tune about the end of a relationship. It has a melody like one of those painfully beautiful Morrissey tunes, but without the hollow vocals. Imagine The Beach Boys covering a Smiths song. Even the simplest song on the EP, a two-minute ditty called, She Doesn’t Want to Dance with Me, is a scorcher. Appropriately, most of the songs are about love and jilted love, but drummer Local G keeps the pace upbeat and happy. It’s that irony which keeps the EP interesting and warrants repeated listening. This band is truly talented, and is one promising act that is not to be missed.

Location Chicago, Illinois - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).