Monday, October 31, 2022

"Cry Little Sister" by Carfax Abbey


 

This is Halloween!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania goth/industrial band Carfax Abbey remade Birmingham, UK multi-instrumentalist Gerard McMahon's 1987 dark wave song "Cry Little Sister," which was prominently featured in the cult horror film "The Lost Boys."

It's fitting for a band named after the property purchased by Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's novel to cover a song from a movie about teenage vampires running amok in downtown Santa Clara.

Sunday, October 30, 2022

"Locomotive Breath" by Helloween

 


It's Halloween Week!

Here's Hamburg, Germany metal band Helloween with their version of Jethro Tull's 1971 progressive rock song "Locomotive Breath."

Unfortunately, there's no flute in the remake.  Mainly because Lizzo was only 11 years old when it was recorded.

Saturday, October 29, 2022

"Season of the Witch" by Lana Del Rey

 


It's Halloween Week!

Manhattan, New York indie artist Lana Del Rey updates the 1966 psychedelic folk song "Season of the Witch" from Glaswegian singer/songwriter Donovan for the soundtrack of 2019 Lionsgate horror film "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark."

Friday, October 28, 2022

"Spiderwebs" by Four Year Strong


 It's Halloween Week!

I don't know if spider webs are the scariest thing in the world, but they're used in a lot of Halloween decor, so we're just gonna throw this cover in the mix, too.

Anaheim, California New wave ska band No Doubt had their 1995 single off of the album "Tragic Kingdom" covered by Worcester, Massachusetts melodic hardcore quartet Four Year Strong.

Thursday, October 27, 2022

"Werewolves of London" by Alixandrea Corvyn


 

It's still Halloween week!

Here's a really bad joke!

You: Knock, knock

The poor unfortunate person who has to deal with your insufferableness: Who's there?

You: Awe.

TPUPWHTDWYI: Awe who?

You: Werewolves of London.

Norfolk, UK entertainer Alixandrea Corvyn covers Warren Zevon's 1978 comedy rock classic about a lycanthropic shapeshifter with a penchant for Chinese food.  Whose hair was perfect.  

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

"Mmmbop" by Scary Pockets

 


It's Halloween week!

Continuing with the fright parade are Highland Park, California based conceptual band Scary Pockets

 Scary Pockets have a core consisting of Ryan Lerman and Jack Conte (also a member of Pomplamoose), featuring a constantly rotating lineup of musicians getting together to perform a weekly cover song that is uploaded to multiple social media platforms.  

In July of 2019, the duo were joined by vocalist Lucy Schwartz, bassist Adam Neely, drummer Jody Giachello, and backup singers Jonah Baker and Kylie Rothfield on a funk groove heavy rendition of Tulsa, Oklahoma sibling power pop band Hanson's 1997 single "Mmmbop."


Tuesday, October 25, 2022

"I'm Your Boogie Man" by Rob Zombie

 


It's Halloween week!

Kicking off seven straight days of the spooky and eerie is Haverhill, Massachusetts shock rocker (and film director) Rob Zombie with his reimagining of the 1976 hit "I'm Your Boogie Man" from Hialeah, Florida funk disco superstars K C and the Sunshine Band.

Truly, nothing about this cover should work.

Yet... this is really, really good.

Monday, October 24, 2022

"Eastside" by Crashing Atlas

 


Crashing Atlas are a Baltimore, Maryland based rock band with a really cool name and even cooler hair.  

Here, they cover "Eastside," a 2018 Benny Blanco/Khalid/Halsey original which may or may not be written about Paterson, New Jersey high school principal Joe Clark.


Sunday, October 23, 2022

"I'm Still Standing" by Mystic Prophecy

 


Memmingen, Germany thrash band Mystic Prophecy throw down some melodic speed metal riffs on their rebranding of Elton John's 1982 cross-Atlantic hit "I'm Still Standing."

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Saturday, October 22, 2022

"Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Goops

 


The Foundations' 1968 soul hit "Build Me Up Buttercup" was redone in 1995 by New York, New York "kick butt, chick fronted" (according to an album review on Amazon Music) pop punk band The Goops for inclusion on the soundtrack of Kevin Smith vehicle "Mallrats."

Friday, October 21, 2022

"Roadhouse Blues" by Blues Traveler

 


Arguably the greatest harmonica player to ever pick up the instrument, virtuoso John Popper shows off his extraordinary skills and unique voice on Blues Traveler's reworking of the 1970 classic rock staple "Roadhouse Blues," originally recorded by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Doors.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

"Chandelier" by PVRIS

 




Fresh off an appearance in Chicago, Illinois at Riot Fest (among one of the best lineups I've ever seen oh my goodness this show must have been bananapants) are Lowell, Massachusetts post-hardcore pop band PVRIS, with their honestly impressive cover of Adelaide, Australia singer Sia's "Chandelier," one of the best 25 songs of 2014 according to Slant magazine.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

"24K Magic" by Future Sunsets + Pontea


 Peruvian freelance travel photographer Jose Mostajo and multi-instrumentalist and singer David Michael Frank form Future Sunsets, a Los Angeles, California pop duo offering a healthy mix of originals and cover songs.

Here, they team up with fellow LA electropop vocalist (and.... candle merchant?)  Pontea on their interpretation of Bruno Mars's 2016 Grammy award winning "24K Magic," a favorite of cartoon vampires everywhere.

For another Bruno Mars cover, check out this version of "Uptown Funk."

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

"It's Raining Men" by Broken Peach

 



Broken Peach are a wildly entertaining seven-piece cover band from Vigo, Spain.  They are best known for their outlandish song choices and unexpected mashups.... like Nirvana with Avicii, or Frankie Goes to Hollywood with The Police, or Katy Perry with Swedish singer Loreen.  

The audio and video from their YouTube videos are all captured in a single take.  Which is impressive, considering their all-pervasive four-part harmonies. 

Here, they reimagine the 1982 nouveau disco hit "It's Raining Men," first laid down by The Weather Girls.

No idea why they're all dressed like extras in the movie "Clue," but that's just part of their charm.

Monday, October 17, 2022

"Pump it Up" by Prozak for Lovers

 


Chicago, Illinois commercial audio mixer Bruce Lash and Los Angeles, California based film editor Maura Corey teamed up in the early 2000s to record tranquil cover songs under the moniker Prozak for Lovers, including this less raucous take on Elvis Costello's 1978 new wave composition "Pump it Up." 

Sunday, October 16, 2022

"Good as Hell" by Cold Years

 


Aberdeen, Scotland indie rockers Cold Years, with the help of a London based gospel choir, took on hip hop artist Lizzo's 2016 banger lifted from the soundtrack of Ice Cube film "Barbershop : The Next Cut."

No presidential flutes were played during the studio sessions for this track, but rumor has it that James Buchanan's electric guitar was utilized almost entirely throughout.

Saturday, October 15, 2022

"Head Over Heels" by Japanese Breakfast


 Seoul, South Korea born singer, songwriter, and New York Times best-selling author Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast provides a dreampop cover of the 1985 Tears for Fears song from the big chair "Head Over Heels."

In case you were wondering, a traditional Japanese breakfast consists of steamed rice, miso soup, fermented soybeans, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, dried seaweed, and a salad.

Friday, October 14, 2022

"Goodbye Earl" by Whiskey Shivers

 


An NBC News article published last night indicates that a woman in Hamilton, Indiana was just sentenced to 115 years in prison for lacing her husband's oatmeal with fentanyl and then strangling him with his own tie.

Austin, Texas frenetic punk bluegrass band Whiskey Shivers get in touch with their inner Appalachia on this rollicking cover of The Dixie Chicks' 1999 song "Goodbye Earl." 

Who knew that songs about mariticide could be so much fun?

For a cover song by Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks, check out this version of "God Only Knows."

Thursday, October 13, 2022

"Sweet but Psycho" by First to Eleven


 First to Eleven are an Erie, Pennsylvania based cover band who have amassed a humungoid following on social media with their equally extensive catalog of retooled pop songs across all genres, spanning from A to Z (or, at least from Aerosmith to Zedd.)

Here they add a rock edge to 2018 dance pop hit and Fox Teen Choice Award nominee "Sweet but Psycho," originally performed by Milwaukee, Wisconsin singer/songwriter Ava Max.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

"Unbelievable" by The BossHoss

 


Today marks the 112th anniversary of the marriage between King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

The festivities surrounding the royal wedding marked the first of what became a little annual shindig known as Oktoberfest.

I can think of no better cover song to commemorate both this matrimonial event and the subsequent brew-soaked yearly festivities that followed than Berlin, Germany based trash country punk rock band The BossHoss covering Gloucestershire, UK one-hit wonders EMF's infectiously catchy 1990 alternative dance single "Unbelievable."

No, not just because they're German.  Because these guys, in addition to putting a country western spin on popular hip hop and dance tunes, successfully launched their own beer brand.

That's unbelievable (OH!).


Tuesday, October 11, 2022

"Fade Into You" by J Mascis

 


Amherst, Massachusetts noise rock band Dinosaur Jr's founder and bandleader J Mascis recorded a version of 1993 indie folk song "Fade Into You" by Santa Monica, California duo Mazzy Star.

It's still an undeniably beautiful ballad, but Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star has an unmatched voice, in my opinion.

So, as I see it, this cover would be like if Kristen Bell wasn't available to take the role of Anna of Arendelle in "Frozen," so Disney turned to Fran Drescher to provide her voice instead.


Monday, October 10, 2022

"No Diggity" by Campsite Dream

 


Campsite Dream are a group of three -- maybe four -- friends from Texel, Netherlands.  

Beyond that, I don't know a whole lot.

Their official website seems to be a dead link, and their Instagram account has 46 posts over the 7 years that it's been open.  That's an average of a single update every two months.

Based on a family excursion that we took a few years back to Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania, the band members' dreams about campsites may very well be boring as shit.

Luckily, this cover of the 1996 hip hop single from Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre is much more entertaining than their unconscious visions of campsites. 

On second thought, though... those dreams may not be boring at all.  They might be pretty intense.

Get it?  Intense?  In tents?

This is why my friends don't talk to me.


Sunday, October 9, 2022

"Open Your Heart" by Atom and His Package


 "The perfect cover song doesn't exist." -- People who haven't heard Atom and His Package cover Madonna.

For a cover of Atom and His Package, here's one from MC Lars.

For more covers of Madonna songs, here's one from Sidonie, and here's another from Pomplamoose.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

"Wolves" by TeraBrite

 


TeraBrite are a duo from Melbourne, Florida who became famous by streaming themselves playing Roblox on Twitch.

They also gained some popularity by taking first and second place at the third annual Jolly Rancher look-alike contest, held in Davenport, Iowa back in 2017.  Their neon green and pink tresses certainly played a part in paving their way to victory there.

In addition to providing fodder to thousands of video game voyeurs, they also dabble in covering pop songs, like this revamping of the 2017 electronic dance song "Wolves," a collaboration between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania trap and dubstep DJ Marshmello and Grand Prairie, Texas actress/singer Selena Gomez.


Friday, October 7, 2022

"Ironic" by Pinky Dread


 Falmouth, Jamaica globetrotting reggae artist Pinky Dread teamed up with Vintage Reggae Soundsystem to produce this remake of "Stinky Britches..." oops... I mean "Ironic," the 1995 chart topping single from Ottawa, Canada singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

"Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Beautiful South

 


Hey, Ho!  Let's go!

Queens, New York punk rock pioneers The Ramones had the opening track from their 1976 debut album covered with a lap steel and vocal twang by UK pop rock band The Beautiful South.

Unsure if their band name is meant to be ironic, but they hail from Hull, UK... which, according to Google Maps, is nearly four hours North of London, which is, in turn, nearly an hour and a half North of Brighton.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

"Tubthumping" by They Might Be Giants


 There's a fine line between reverence and ridicule, and Brooklyn, New York goofballs They Might Be Giants (with the help of Chicago's AV Club) straddle it with their remake of the 1997 raucous drinking anthem "Tubthumping," originally by British dance punk band Chumbawamba.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

"I'm So Excited" by Citigrass


 Congratulations to the 2022 Philadelphia Phillies, who clinched a berth in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade!

That's a reason to get excited!

So, here are urban bluegrass band Citigrass with their take on the celebratory 1982 post-disco hit "I'm So Excited," first recorded by Oakland, California vocal group The Pointer Sisters.

Monday, October 3, 2022

"White Flag" by Murray Head


 

Hearing new wave artist Murray Head covering fellow Londoner Dido's 2003 song of misplaced hope about a long-dead relationship was similar to seeing the mirror fog up under the nostrils of an otherwise unresponsive patient.

Glad to see that your music career is still holding on there, Murray.  It's been a few years.

The cover version is really polished, so many people think it was recorded over multiple sessions.

If I'm not mistaken, it was produced in its entirety one night in Bangkok.

I'll be here all week.  Be sure to tip your bartenders.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

"Such Great Heights" by Joy Kills Sorrow

 


Taking their name from the call letters of AM radio station 1360 in Gary, Indiana that first broadcast bluegrass legends The Monroe Brothers were Boston, Massachusetts based Americana string band Joy Kills Sorrow.

They disbanded in 2014, but, before they did, they drew from their old-time musical influences on this stellar version of electro-pop gem "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service.



Saturday, October 1, 2022

"A Lonely Voice" by Gregory Douglass

 


Welcome to October!

It's the tenth month of the year, but named like it's the eighth month.  

Not sure why we stopped with the months.  We should have redubbed the octopus a hexapus, and an actual hexapus a quadrapus.

I digress.

A fitting start to the month of October would be a cover of New York ethereal adult alternative band October Project.

Here's one!  Los Angeles, California by way of Burlington, Vermont evocative pop artist Gregory Douglass performing "A Lonely Voice." 

Technically, this is only a quarter of a cover, as October Project OGs Emil AdlerMarina Belica, and Julie Flanders were all represented on the live recording.