Thursday, November 30, 2023

"Ready to Go" by Frantic Romantic

 


Los Angeles, California six piece Frantic Romantic rip through "Ready to Go," the 1996 dance pop song from Berkshire, UK alternative band Republica.

Presumably, shortly after filming the video, the lead singer was treated at Cedars-Sinai for swimming induced pulmonary edema, while the guitarist was examined for whiplash.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

"Sunglasses at Night" by the Megas


 

You can watch Los Angeles, California Nintendocore nerds The Megas weave and breathe Montreal, Canada synth pop singer Corey Hart's storylines on their remake of his 1982 single "Sunglasses at Night."

In addition to video game inspired synth riffs, The Megas are known for their silly red hats and outlandish stolen election conspiracy theories.  Wait, no.... I'm thinking of the Magas.

Monday, November 27, 2023

"Minnie the Moocher" by Glass Eye


 

Austin, Texas art rock band Glass Eye hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho their way through 1931 jazz standard "Minnie the Moocher," originally from Rochester, New York band leader Cab Calloway.

Though the only Delaware connection I can find to the scat singer is his death in a Hockessin assisted living facility, there's a school of the arts in Wilmington bearing his name, so....? 

Sunday, November 26, 2023

"Hey, Soul Sister" by Future Idiots

 


Swedish punk band Future Idiots plow through "Hey, Soul Sister," originally a 2009 single from Bay area rockers Train.

The original song was lambasted in this article from Mother Jones, and it is probably the best review of anything that I've ever read.  

For another Train cover, Go Go Gadjet's version of "Drops of Jupiter" can be found here.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Friday, November 24, 2023

"When I Need You" by Alpha Blondy

 


Alpha Blondy sounds like a band fronted by Elle Woods or Ken Carson, but he's really a reggae and African groove singer from Ivory Coast.  

Here, he covers "When I Need You," the 1976 soft rock ballad penned by Albert Hammond, made popular later the same year by Sussex, UK crooner Leo Sayer.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

"Thank You" by Jolin Tsai

 


Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day of thanks, here is Taipei, Taiwan singer and actress Jolin Tsai with her reboot of "Thank You," the 1998 gratitune from London, UK downtempo triphop singer Dido.

For another Dido cover, Murray Head's version of "White Flag" can be found here.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

"Pony" by Slothrust

 


Boston, Massachusetts alternative band Slothrust cover "Pony," the 1996 hip hop soul jam from Washington, DC R&B singer and songwriter Ginuwine.

With the song choice, you may think that the band name is a combination of "slo" and "thrust," but, no.  It's a compound made up of the seldom joined root words "sloth" and "rust."  

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

"Cracklin' Rosie" by Wychwood

 


Happy birthday to my younger sister!

She's always had an affinity for the dynamic 1970 soft rock song "Cracklin' Rosie" by Neil Diamond, which is also in my top twelve or so songs that's presumably about hookers.

Here's obscure as all hell London, UK folk band Wychwood with their countrified take on the classic.

For another cover of Diamond, UB40's version of "Holly Holy" can be found here.

For a cover by Neil Diamond, his version of "Monday. Monday" can be found here.

Monday, November 20, 2023

"St Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by Anahata

 


Romanian (more specifically, Transylvanian) goth metal duo Anahata break from their vampire schtick for a moment to give us a remake of British singer John Parr's 1985 chart topping single "St Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)," the theme from the like-titled blockbuster film.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

"Closing Time" by The Gospel Youth

 


All Brighton, UK band The Gospel Youth want for Christmas is a veritable crap ton of emo, which they end up gifting to themselves on this cover of "Closing Time," the 1998 post-grunge ballad from Minneapolis, Minnesota power pop band Semisonic.

Saturday, November 18, 2023

"Last Nite" by Vitamin C

 


"Last Nite," the 2001 garage rock single from New York City band The Strokes, was reimagined as an electropop number by Old Bridge, New Jersey singer Vitamin C.

Truth be told, I found it super catchy, and loved it until the "Heart of Glass" mash up.  

Then again, its inclusion is clever, on hindsight.

Vitamin C has 26 acting credits on IMDb, her debut being in the 1988 John Waters film "Hairspray," where she portrayed the daughter of Velma Von Tussle, a role assumed by none other than Blondie front woman Debbie Harry.

Totally unrelated, but Vitamin C is a much better moniker for a musician than the synonymous Ascorbic Acid. in my worthless opinion.


Friday, November 17, 2023

"Windy" by Life in General

 


The 1967 sunshine pop song "Windy" by California band The Association is redone by Winston Salem, North Carolina duo Life in General.

Of course it's a favorite, as I have a soft spot for toy instruments and those who rock them in a thrash folk style.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

"Cold Hearted" by Scrawl

 


Columbus, Ohio indie rock trio Scrawl take the fuzzily dissonant approach on their remake of San Fernando, California singer and choreographer Paula Abdul's 1988 dance pop single "Cold Hearted."

How cold hearted are snakes?

I aimed to find out by reading a report on reptile cardiology.  Unfortunately, I have no answer for you, because I found something better to do than read said article.... which was, quite literally, anything else.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

"One Headlight" by Shelly Sony

 


Multi-national MPB singer Shelly Sony incorporates elements of bossa, reggae, and jazz on her 2017 remake of "One Headlight," the 1997 mainstream rock chart topper from Los Angeles, California roots rock band The Wallflowers.

Padiddle!

Monday, November 13, 2023

"Holding Out for a Hero" by Aviators


 

Fort Myers, Florida orchestral fantasy rock artist Aviators puts a synth pop spin on "Holding Out for a Hero," the 1984 single from Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler that makes everybody want to cut footloose.

No matter how many times I hear this song while driving, I'm forever glancing over my shoulder looking for emergency vehicles.  Fool me once, shame on me.  Fool me 6,273 times, shame on me still.  

For another Bonnie Tyler cover, Hurra Torpedo's version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" can be found here.

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Saturday, November 11, 2023

"Kyoto" by Mile 57

 


Boston, Massachusetts hard rock band Mile 57 cover "Kyoto," an uncharacteristically bright and upbeat single from Pasadena, California indie folk artist Phoebe Bridgers.

The singer/guitarist rocks her skeleton outfit, so that she and Bridgers are totes twinsies.

Friday, November 10, 2023

"Rainbow in the Dark" by Liliac

 


If this is your first time hearing Atlanta, Georgia by way of Los Angeles, California family metal band Liliac's cover of Cortland, New York holy diving musician Dio's 1983 platinum selling single "Rainbow in the Dark," here's something fun that you can do!

1. Hit play on the video.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Listen until you hear vocals.

4. Imagine what the singer may look like.

5. Open your eyes to compare your mental image with reality.

6. Be utterly flabbergasted.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

"Blinding Lights" by Feuerschwanz


 

The video for tongue-in-cheek German medieval metal band Feuerschwanz's cover of Toronto, Canada artist The Weeknd's 2019 universally acclaimed synthwave single "Blinding Lights" seems to check almost every box.

Bagpipe intro? Check.

Fellow in chainmail armor rocking a two stringed bass made from a poleaxe?  Check.

Attractive violinist dancing seductively? Check.

Implication that this foray into a castle with full backline and a bird of prey is all a grog induced dream? Check, check, and check.

For another Weeknd cover, VONALTUM's cover of "Save Your Tears" can be found here.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

"Rebel Rebel" by Rickie Lee Jones

 


Genre hopping Chicago, Illinois singer songwriter Rickie Lee Jones gets a little bongo action in on her remake of 1974 glam rock staple "Rebel Rebel" from the legendary Ziggy Stardust....er....Aladdin Sane.....ehrm.... David Bowie.

For another Bowie cover, Warpaint's version of "Ashes to Ashes" can be found here.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

"Get Ready" by It Lives, It Breathes

 


It Lives, It Breathes, a rock collective from Providence, Rhode Island, perform a web cover of "Get Ready," a 1966 hit for Detroit, Michigan R&B Soul band The Temptations.

While your primary focus while watching the video will be on the lead singer's haircut, check out the secondary guitarist.  He very well may be the bastard offspring of Jack Black and the Berries and Cream dude from that Starburst commercial.

For another Temptations cover, The Jesus and Mary Chain's version of "My Girl" can be found here.

Monday, November 6, 2023

"What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" by Tre Lux

 


San Francisco, California darkwave performer Tre Lux covers "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)," the 1988 electro dance song from St Paul, Minnesota synth pop artists Information Society.

What's seriously impressive is that she never uses an autotune device!

Kidding....I'm kidding.  

Sunday, November 5, 2023

"Love is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet

 


Clydebank, Scotland soft rockers Wet Wet Wet deliver a completely waterlogged cover version of UK garage rock band The Troggs' 1967 evangelical inspired top ten hit "Love is All Around."

It's damp, it's drenched, it's sopping.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

"Last Night" by Carah

 


Happiest of birthdays to my big sister!

There's the age old nature vs. nurture debate, and Jamie is sometimes a case study for the nature side.

Case in point -- a couple of years ago, she posted pictures of an event that she attended, with a giant "MW" across the stage shown from an aerial camera.

I thought, initially and completely rationally, that maybe it was a convention of dictionary enthusiasts, partying when that new Merriam-Webster drops.

I looked up city events, and found that she had actually seen Morgan Wallen, a country singer from the raging metropolis of Sneedville, Tennessee.

I'm assuming that Jamie paid money in exchange for a ticket to this event, where, if I were offered thirty thousand dollars to attend, I'd have to weigh the pros and cons. Not having student loans would be nice and all, but.... sheesh.

She marches to her own drum, and, more oft than not, that drum is accompanying some C&W.

Here's a cover of one of Wallen's more radio-friendly hits, this year's release "Last Night," as covered by Nashville, Tennessee transplant Carah.

Friday, November 3, 2023

"Valerie" by Ra Ra Riot

 


Maybe you don't feel that the 1982 synth pop single "Valerie" from Birmingham, UK blue eyed soul artist Steve Winwood slaps so friggin' hard.

You're wrong.  It absolutely does.

Found a cover that does this one justice.  Syracuse, New York baroque pop band Ra Ra Riot keep the upbeat synths intact, and throw in a violin for good measure.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

"Mother" by November Coming Fire

 


Happy first day of November!

Here's a hardcore/sludge band from Kent, UK called November Coming Fire with their version of "Mother," a 1988 release from Lodi, New Jersey heavy metal band Danzig.

In the video, you can clearly see the guitarist's breath as he sings.  According to this article, breath usually isn't visible until the air temperature hits 45 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 7 degrees Celsius).

While his mother was telling him not to hear Danzig's words, what they mean, what they say, she should have also persuaded him to wear a duffle coat.