Lovedrug

David Johnson

Formed in June 2002, Ohio-based rock band Lovedrug is the brainchild of Michael Shepard and close friend Adam Ladd, collaborators on the previous avant-garde project Kerith Ravine. The band recorded their first demos in July 2002, quickly releasing a five-song EP that August. The self-titled... Read More

Formed in June 2002, Ohio-based rock band Lovedrug is the brainchild of Michael Shepard and close friend Adam Ladd, collaborators on the previous avant-garde project Kerith Ravine. The band recorded their first demos in July 2002, quickly releasing a five-song EP that August. The self-titled offering sold out two pressings within three months. After some initial changes, Shepard was joined by a permanent line-up, including David Owen on lead guitar, established drummer Matthew Putman (Ester Drang, Unwed Sailor) behind the kit, and close friend and confidant Matthew Depper on bass. The success of the self-titled EP led to further pre-production and in early 2003, the band headed into the studio with producer Tim Patalan (Sponge, The Fags). Hinting at the full length to come, the band released the six-track "Rocknroll EP" in the summer of 2003 to overwhelming acceptance. Lovedrug would later sign with indie label The Militia Group. Their debut full length Pretend You're Alive made an immediate splash upon release in late 2004, debuting at #4 on Billboard's Internet chart and in the top 50 in Indie albums, quickly becoming the fastest-selling release in The Militia Group's history.