OverDrive is a Hard Rock band from West Virginia that formed back in the early 1980's by Doug Levy. The band consisted of 3 members from Radford High School including vocalist-Doug Levy, Todd Ingram, and drummer-Bobby "The Basher" Collins. The band's Guitarist-Stacy Puckett was the only "black sheep" in the band being from Blacksburg High School. Back in their high school days, the group originally went by various band names including 'Heaven Quest', 'Damascus', and 'Sacred Heart'. One of the highlights 'Heaven Quest' had as a band was when they got to play in the True Rock Festival in Bluefield, West Virginia. However, it wasn't long before Heaven Quest changed their name to 'Damascus'. It was during this time that they produced a 3-track demo in 1985 titled 'Damascus Demo' which was released on cassette format. The track-list for 'Damascus Demo' included 1.Animate 2.Think of Me 3.Don't Worry.
In 1987 the band changed their name to Sacred Heart and released a second independent cassette demonstration titled 'Sacred Heart' Demo. This recording included 5-tracks A1.Gotta Have Faith A2.Shelter And Strength B1.Never Too Soon B2.Child Of The Father B3.High On God.
After recording their 'Sacred Heart' Demo, the band saw another name change. This would prove to be their last and final moniker as they chose the name 'OverDrive'. With a new band name and new-found energy, OverDrive darkened the doors of the studio to begin work on new material.
In 1987 the band changed their name to Sacred Heart and released a second independent cassette demonstration titled 'Sacred Heart' Demo. This recording included 5-tracks A1.Gotta Have Faith A2.Shelter And Strength B1.Never Too Soon B2.Child Of The Father B3.High On God.
After recording their 'Sacred Heart' Demo, the band saw another name change. This would prove to be their last and final moniker as they chose the name 'OverDrive'. With a new band name and new-found energy, OverDrive darkened the doors of the studio to begin work on new material.
1989
In 1989 OverDrive released their debut self-titled 4-track cassette EP on an independent label. Their debut recording was produced by Kenny Harris along with band members from OverDrive. The line-up for this self-titled EP was comprised of lead vocalist-Doug Levy, guitarist-Stacy Puckett, guitarist-Jimmy Prior, bassist-Joe McLaughlin, and drummer-Bobby "The Basher" Collins.
The track-list for 'OverDrive' included Side A 1.When the "Saints" Go Marching In 2.Standing in Line Side B 3.Light a Candle for Me 4.You Need a Friend.
The track-list for 'OverDrive' included Side A 1.When the "Saints" Go Marching In 2.Standing in Line Side B 3.Light a Candle for Me 4.You Need a Friend.
1990
In 1990 OverDrive showed no signs of stopping when they followed-up with their indie release of a 4-track cassette EP titled 'A Grave Mistake'. This EP is a solid offering by the band. This sophomore release finds the band moving in a heavy direction with their arrangements. The roster for 'A Grave Mistake' was comprised of lead vocalist-Doug Levy, lead & rhythm guitarist-Stacy Puckett, lead & rhythm guitarist-Jimmy Prior, bassist-Bill Goodwin, and drummer-Bobby "The Basher" Collins.
The track-list for 'A Grave Mistake' included A1.When The "Saints" Go Marching In A2.Standing In Line B1.Light A Candle For Me B2.You Need A Friend.
The track-list for 'A Grave Mistake' included A1.When The "Saints" Go Marching In A2.Standing In Line B1.Light A Candle For Me B2.You Need A Friend.
After the release of 'A Grave Mistake', the band went on an extended hiatus. Then in 2000, Bobby "The Basher" Collins passed away leaving a void in the band. "Ministry is simply finding something good about someone, and then telling them." - Bobby Collins - (1969-2000).
2006
In 2006 OverDrive released a compilation album of material from their previous albums titled 'Remembering The Basher'. This album was released to honor & remember their bandmate Bobby "The Basher" Collins who passed away in the year 2000. 'Remembering The Basher' features songs from the early pre-OverDrive demos along with their two OverDrive EP releases.
The track-list for 'Remembering The Basher' included Disc 1 - 1.Bring Out The Big Guns 2.Hellbound 3.Shelter and Strength 4.Living Sacrifice 5.Mark My Words 6.Rodent Of The Piper 7.Crusade 8.When the "Saints" 9.Standing in Line 10.Light a Candle for Me 11.You Need a Friend Disc 2 - 12.Gotta have Faith (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 13.Shelter and Strength (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 14.Never too Soon (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 15.Child of the Father (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 16.High on God (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 17.Animate (Damascus 1985) 18.Think of Me (Damascus 1985) 19.Don't Worry (Damascus 1985) and in addition, the album includes - Rock 105 Overdrive Interview.
The track-list for 'Remembering The Basher' included Disc 1 - 1.Bring Out The Big Guns 2.Hellbound 3.Shelter and Strength 4.Living Sacrifice 5.Mark My Words 6.Rodent Of The Piper 7.Crusade 8.When the "Saints" 9.Standing in Line 10.Light a Candle for Me 11.You Need a Friend Disc 2 - 12.Gotta have Faith (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 13.Shelter and Strength (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 14.Never too Soon (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 15.Child of the Father (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 16.High on God (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 17.Animate (Damascus 1985) 18.Think of Me (Damascus 1985) 19.Don't Worry (Damascus 1985) and in addition, the album includes - Rock 105 Overdrive Interview.
2011
In 2011 OverDrive reissued & repackaged 'Remembering The Basher' with some changes to the track-list along with slightly altered album cover art. For this listener, one of the biggest changes comes by way of the album's production & mastering which really fits with the band's Classic Hard Rock style of music. On this 2011 release, OverDrive mixes things up by including various progressive tracks, guitar solos, Thrash riffs, and plenty of time changes throughout the album helping to hold the listener's attention.
Some tracks that stand out on this compilation album include track-1 "Big Guns", track-2 "Hellbound", track-3 "Shelter And Strength", track-4 "Living Sacrifice", track-5 "Mark My Words", track-6 "Rodent Of The Piper", track-8 "When The Saints", track-9 "Standing In Line", track-10 "Light A Candle For Me".
The full track-list for 'Remembering The Basher' includes 1.Big Guns 2.Hellbound 3.Shelter And Strength 4.Living Sacrifice 5.Mark My Words 6.Rodent Of The Piper 7.Crusade 8.When The Saints 9.Standing In Line 10.Light A Candle For Me 11.You Need A Friend 12.Applause 13.Gotta Have Faith (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 14.Shelter And Strength (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 15.High On God (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 16.Never Too Soon (Sacred Heart Demo 1987) 17.Child Of The Father (Sacred Heart Demo 1987).
Original shredder-Stacy Puckett handles both lead & rhythm guitars for the band. With each and every song, Stacy electrifies the arrangements with 80's style guitar playing. From track to track the listener will find everything from low tuned driving guitars to 80's style noodling to tapping to acoustic to heavy Thrash riffs.
Lyrics are evangelical & bold without coming across as preachy as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Big Guns"
You've got a passion for this kinda groove
Listen to me and get a passion for the King of the Jews
He came before, He died, He arose
And He'll coming again
We'll tell you of things to come
And not just what has been
"Shelter and Strength"
The day will be here
It's ever drawing so near
When I will be with Him eternally
I will see His great throne
I will finally, come home
"Living Sacrifice"
One Way to heaven
One Way to paradise
One Way to the kingdom
Jesus is the sacrifice
One Way to heaven
One Way to paradise
He is the first born
The living sacrifice
"Hellbound"
Jesus is always waiting
You know what you should do
You gotta choice between
Heaven and Hell
It's all up to you
"Rodent of the Piper"
Who knows the Master
Who washes heaven's feet
Who knows the King
Who has died for His people
I do, I do
I know the Master
I know the King
I know the Master
I know the King
I know, I know
I know the Master
I know, I know
I know the King of kings
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
OverDrive is for fans of Thunderchild, Apostle, Armada, and Malachia. If you are looking for some Classic Hard Rock to add to your collection then you are in the right place. Let's dust off those ol' speakers by giving 'Remembering The Basher' a spin today!
Musicians:
Doug Levy - Lead Vocals
Stacy Puckett - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Todd Ingram - Bass
Bobby "The Basher" Collins - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Jimmy Prior - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
John Furgeson - Guitars
Russ Simpkins - Guitars
Joe McLaughlin - Bass, Keys
Andy Norman - Bass
Bill Goodwin - Bass, Backing Vox
Steve Ryan - Bass
Jim Morris - Keys, Backing Vox
John McGuire - Vocals
Chris Thompson - Drums
Doug Levy - Lead Vocals
Stacy Puckett - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Todd Ingram - Bass
Bobby "The Basher" Collins - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Jimmy Prior - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
John Furgeson - Guitars
Russ Simpkins - Guitars
Joe McLaughlin - Bass, Keys
Andy Norman - Bass
Bill Goodwin - Bass, Backing Vox
Steve Ryan - Bass
Jim Morris - Keys, Backing Vox
John McGuire - Vocals
Chris Thompson - Drums
