Remember "Who Sucked Out the Feeling"? The 1996 single, with a proper title of "Sucked Out," propelled Knoxville, Tennessee's Superdrag to a brief amount of alternative rock fame, back when it was still called alternative rock.

The song, off their fantastic album Regretfully Yours, had a catchy British Invasion vibe, a yelled chorus with John Davis's voice cracking as he got to the "feeling" part, and a Buzz Bin video on MTV with the mop-topped band cavorting in a 1960s-era diner. Their second single, "Destination Ursa Major," was equally good, but didn't reach the same popularity level as "Sucked Out," and despite a few more great power-poppy albums and live shows, the band was forgotten by most, despite touring frequently and being well-remembered by fans and reviewers.

After a hiatus, Davis giving up drinking, finding religion and releasing a subtly Christian rock album, the band has reunited and brings its overlooked rock gems to the 9:30 Club tonight. This mini-tour, of which D.C. is the last stop, is the first time the original lineup has been together in 8 years.

Photo from their Myspace

After selling more than 300,000 copies of Regretfully Yours, the band got a little disillusioned with their label, Elektra, and with life in a rock band. Head Trip in Every Key, the next album, was a little more complex and melancholy, but still melodic and catchy. It didn't get much backing from the label, though. The next two albums were released by the Arena Rock Recording Company and didn't receive much play, but the band continued to tour and party at a level accustomed to by a rock band. Before Superdrag's final album, Last Call for Vitriol, Davis decided to quit drinking and readopt Christianity. And only too soon, as Knoxville's Metro Pulse noted that Davis' doctor said his liver was having major problems.

The band members agreed to take a hiatus after that album was released. Davis began working on his solo project, which was similar musically but Christian in content. He released a well-received self-titled album and toured a little.

The band began to come back together after bassist Tom Pappas began to dream about playing with his old band mates in November 2006. In March of this year, he talked with guitarist Brandon Fisher about playing together, and a few days later Davis called with the same idea. The band rehearsed and liked what they heard, made a few phone calls, and decided to tour again. They're also working on a two-disc rarities album.

The band put on a great show the one time I saw them, at the Black Cat in 2002, and reviewers during this tour say they're even better now than back then. They also played on Cincinnati's WOXY internet radio station.

Superdrag play at the 9:30 Club tonight with openers Mic Harrison and the High Score. Tickets are $15 and doors open at 10.