Born Loser
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| Born Loser | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | December 19, 1993[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1992–1993 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 16:00 | |||
| Label | Mercury[7] | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Copperhead chronology | ||||
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Born Loser is an EP from Southern American rock band, Copperhead. It was released on December 19, 1993, via Mercury Records. The EP includes a mix of a studio outtake for their song "Born Loser" and previously unreleased live tracks. This EP marked the band's final release on Mercury after being dropped from the label in 1994 and their last official release before the band officially broke up and disbanded in 1995.[8]
Background
[edit]The Born Loser EP served as a stopgap release while the band was between touring cycles and planning future projects. Although Copperhead never released a second full-length album through Mercury, after finishing their 1993 tour dates the band had announced plans to release a full-length live album in anticipation for their second studio album planned for late 1994 to early 1995 release, however, due to ongoing tensions between band members, lead singer Neil Carswell's personal struggle with addiction and alcoholism, the band never released a live album nor never began recording a follow up to their 1992 self-titled debut album which led to Mercury Records dropping them from the label.[9]
The EP's title track was recorded during the recording sessions in April 1992 with producer Tom Dowd and engineer Rodney Mills while the live tracks were recorded during the band's 1993 tour. The title track was first released on the band's debut album Copperhead in 1992. It had become a staple of their live shows and was considered for release as a single but The Scar was chosen and released instead.[10]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Born Loser" | Neil Carswell, Jon Bryd | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Born Loser" (Live) | Neil Carswell, Jon Bryd | 3:52 |
| 3. | "Hard Livin'" (Live) | Neil Carswell, Jon Bryd | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Whiskey" (Live) | Neil Carswell, Brad Durden | 5:45 |
| Total length: | 16:00 | ||
Personnel
[edit]- Neil Carswell – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jon Byrd – lead guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals
- Brad Durden – keyboards, backing vocals
- Tony Hawkins – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Eric Suttlemyre – drums, backing vocals
- Rodney Mills – producer, mixing
- Tom Dowd – producer, engineer, arrangement
- Michael Klotz – art direction
- Donald Klotz Jr. – illustration
- J. Gervasi – illustration (skull only)
- Frank Ockenfels – photography
Legacy
[edit] |
Though not widely promoted by Mercury Records or PolyGram Records at the time of its release in 1993, in the years and decades past with the rise of streaming platforms, "Born Loser" has been well-received by new generations of fans, nostalgic listeners that were fans of the 1990s southern rock revival, and die-hard southern rock enthusiasts. Critics and fans alike praise the song for its raw emotional delivery and southern rock swagger.
References
[edit]- ^ "Copperhead - Born Loser (EP) 1993 - Mercury Records". discogs.com. Mercury Records. December 19, 1993. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Magazine / May 9, 1992 / Page 14: Copperhead recording new music at Ardent Studios in Memphis for Mercury" (PDF). Billlboard. Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Allmusic: Copperhead album release information". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Mercury signs Southern rock band 'Copperhead' from North Carolina, recording debut album with Lynyrd Skynyrd producer Tom Dowd" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Hard Rock/Southern Rock - Copperhead - Copperhead (Mercury Records)". Rock Nation. Mercury/PolyGram. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Born Loser by Copperhead (Mercury Records) Blues, Rock, Country". Copperhead. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Discography: Copperhead (Mercury Records Band)". 45 World Music. Website Staff. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Copperhead - Born Loser -EP (December 19, 1993)". Heavy Harmonies. Staff. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Southern rock singer Neil Carswell interview discussing addiction, Copperhead break-up". Blues GR. Michael Limnios. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
- ^ "Interview with Copperhead lead singer, reveals plans were made for a second Copperhead album and a unreleased live album before the band's breakup in 1995". Sweet Home Music France. Staff. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "COPPERHEAD: BORN LOSER -EP (ALBUM CREDITS, TRACK LISTING)". Discogs. PolyGram Records. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "Album: Born Loser -EP - Artist/Band: Copperhead - Year: 1993 - Label: Mercury/PolyGram - Release History - Credits". heavyharmonies.com. PolyGram. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
