"I Hope" by Hello Sunday

 

Happy Easter!

Atlanta, Georgia teenage vocal duo Hello Sunday add a pop element to "I Hope," the 2019 independently released number from Pennsylvania born country artist Gabby Barrett.

"Kryptonite" by Kill the Director

 

Perth, Australia band Kill the Director perform their version of "Kryptonite," a 2000 single from Jackson County, Mississippi post-grunge group 3 Doors Down.

Not sure about the director, but as comments on this video point out, it sounds like they may have already killed their sound mixer.

"End of the Line" by Gutter Rose

 

Baltimore, Maryland band Gutter Rose seamlessly tag team lead vocalists on their quarantine cover of "End of the Line," a 1988 single for Los Angeles, California based country rock supergroup Traveling Wilburys.

And, it's all right.

"Ants Marching" by A Bit on the Side

 

Perth chill groove musicians A Bit on the Side have left their Facebook page dormant since 2017, so it's safe to assume that they are no longer on the Western Australia circuit.

Back in 2014, they performed this version of "Ants Marching," a 1995 single from Charlottesville, Virginia jam/roots rockers Dave Matthews Band.

I can imagine the conversation regarding this gig:

Promoter: Hey, do you want to play Paterson Stadium?

ABOTS : Oh, my God!  Yes!  Absolutely!

Promoter: Great!  We'll set you up right by the bouncy houses!

ABOTS: By the what, now?

For another Dave Matthews cover, Marta Hugon's version of "Crash Into Me" can be found here.

"What's Love Got to Do with It" by Black Stone Cherry

 

Edmonton, Kentucky heavy rock band Black Stone Cherry tear through "What's Love Got to Do with It," a 1984 single from Brownsville, Tennessee private dancer Tina Turner.

If you need a reason to like Black Stone Cherry, I understand that their cover version was released as a stand-alone in 2023 shortly after Turner's death, and all proceeds from the sale of the records were donated to organizations that prevent domestic violence.

"Love Again" by Lezz Go

 

Belgrade, Serbia cover band Lezz Go doles out shots of pop disco with their cover of London, UK artist Dua Lipa's 2021 release "Love Again."

The song was recorded live at The Bitef Art Cafe, which should seriously consider switching up its domain name, because nobody....absolutely no one..... reads that as "Bitef Art."

For another Dua Lipa cover, Matthew Johnson's version of "Levitating" can be found here.

"The Funeral" by Stroke 9

 

San Francisco, California area post-grunge band Stroke 9 carry a few cover songs in their little black backpack, including this remake of Seattle, Washington indie group Band Of Horses' 2006 single "The Funeral."

"Heart of Gold" by Tanya Donelly

 

Newport, Rhode Island singer/songwriter/guitarist/long time celebrity crush of mine Tanya Donelly covers Toronto, Canada musician Neil Young's 1972 soft rock ballad "Heart of Gold."

If Tanya desires to be a literal miner for a heart of gold, she may want to check out the Durfee Hill Mine in North Foster.  There's gold in them thar hills.

"The Bad Touch" by Farsh

 

Moscow, Russia wedding band Farsh incorporates DUELING VIOLINS and brass on their cover of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania crude comedy rappers The Bloodhound Gang's 1999 single "The Bad Touch."

Russia is freakin' wild.

"Livin' on a Prayer" by Rolling Box Band

 

Druskininkai, Lithuania area rockabilly outfit Rolling Box Band cover "Livin' on a Prayer," the 1986 chart topping signature song from Jersey boys Bon Jovi.

At least I think that the band resides close to Druskininkai, as they played their last show of their 2023 concert season at a water park there, sort of a Baltic Great Wolf Lodge.  

With the nation of Lithuania being slightly larger than the state of West Virginia, even if they don't live close to that resort city, they still live kind of close to that resort city, in the grand scheme of things.

A word of caution: they need to be careful playing those water parks.  They're "Slippery When Wet."

I'll see myself out.

"Mambo No. 5" by Black Ingvars

 

You probably went to sleep last night incredibly disappointed, as you wanted to wake up listening to Swedish dancemetal, but didn't think that such a thing existed.

You need a little bit of Black Ingvars in your life, a little bit of Black Ingvars by your side.

Here's the Nordic humorists' version of "Mambo No. 5," a 1999 smash hit for Munich, Germany born pop artist Lou Bega.

"Sucker" by Hello Sister

 

Close-knit Orlando, Florida sibling band Hello Sister celebrate having middle school gullibility on their version of "Sucker," a 2019 dance rock hit from another (presumably) close-knit sibling group, Wyckoff, New Jersey's pop stars Jonas Brothers.

For a cover from one of the Jonas Brothers gone rogue, Courage My Love's version of "Close" can be found here.

"Sail" by The Pork Tornadoes

 

Bearded Cedar Rapids, Iowa party band The Pork Tornadoes lift up the crowd at The Paramount Theater like a grain elevator on their electric performance of "Sail," a 2010 hit for Los Angeles, California alt rockers Awolnation.

"Tell Me Something Good" by Handmade Moments

 

New Orleans, Louisiana by way of Fayetteville, Arkansas soulful roots duo Handmade Moments Chaka your Khan on this remake of "Tell Me Something Good," a 1974 hit for Chicago, Illinois funk band Rufus.

"Thirteen" by Snakes in Exile

 Erin Go Bragh!

It is St Patrick's Day!

According to legend, St Patrick banished all of the snakes from Ireland.

So, here is Kermt, Belgium folk quartet Snakes in Exile, with their cover of 1971 jangle pop single "Thirteen," originally by Memphis, Tennessee rock band Big Star.

"When Doves Cry" by The Be Good Tanyas

 

Vancouver, Canada alt country gals The Be Good Tanyas incorporate some steamy mandolin and banjo action on their cover of His Royal Badness Prince's 1984 synth pop song "When Doves Cry."

Prince says that animals strike "curious" poses, while the Tanyas say "serious" poses.  No, no... the animals only strike serious poses when they're updating the picture on their LinkedIn profile.

The Wikepedia article on the band indicates that one of the founding members formed the group after living on the road, planting trees and making music.

So, she's basically Johnny Appleseed without the Adam's apple.

For another Prince cover, Sons of Serendip's version of "Purple Rain" can be found here.

"Jerk it Out" by Psyence

 

Beware the Ides of March!

Here's Stoke-on-Trent, UK alternative band Psyence with their quarantine cover of 2002 garage rock single "Jerk it Out" from Swedish band Caesars. 

"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" by Dolly Parton

 

Happy Pi Day!

Here's a cover of 1965 soul single "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" from Hitsville, USA artists The Four Tops by looooooooooooooooooooooong time country music artist Dolly Parton.

For another cover of The Four Tops, Third World's version of "It's the Same Old Song" can be found here.

For a cover by The Four Tops, their version of "Daydream Believer" can be found here.

"You're So Vain" by Faster Pussycat

 

Los Angeles, California glam metal band Faster Pussycat cover "You're So Vain," a 1972 hit for New York City singer/songwriter Carly Simon.

Who is the self-absorbed protagonist of the song?

David Bowie?  Mick Jagger?  Warren Beatty?  Cat Stevens?

Personally, I think it's about Rip Taylor.  Dada dee da doo.

But, you probably think the song is about you.  Don't you?  Don't you?

"Bad Romance" by Drive Action

 

Roma, ro mah mah!

Kiev, Ukraine high schoolers Drive Action cover New York City weirdo Lady Gaga's 2009 electropop single "Bad Romance."

When you're sixteen, practically EVERY romance is a bad one.

For more Lady Gaga covers, Leftover Cuties' version of "Poker Face" can be found here, and Quor's version of "Shallow" can be found here.

"Amber" by Kuerdas

 

It's March 11th, also known as 3/11.

So, here's Santos City, Philippines band Kuerdas with their toy melodica fueled cover of 2002 reggae rock song "Amber" by Omaha, Nebraska funk rockers 311.

The website linked on their Facebook profile is no longer in use, and can be YOURS for the low, low price of $3,495!

For a cover by 311, their version of "Self Esteem" can be found here.

"The Killing Moon" by The Joy Formidable

 

Welsh shoegaze trio The Joy Formidable perform an acoustic rendition of Liverpool, UK new wave band Echo and the Bunnymen's 1984 post-punk single "The Killing Moon."

The Joy Formidable were formed in their childhood hometown of Mold, Flintshire. It looks like a pleasant enough mountain village, but it has the most unfortunate name.

Perhaps there's a borough called Toe Fungus, Missouri.  Doubtful, but maybe.  

For now, Mold gets the blue ribbon on crap municipality names.

Sorry, Mold.

For another Echo and the Bunnymen cover, Error 404's version of "Lips Like Sugar" can be found here. 

"Back to Life" by Dodgy

 

Goofball indie Britpop band Dodgy cover "Back to Life," the 1989 proto jungle single from London music collective Soul II Soul.

Based on their moniker, though, the cover is a bit sus, and they may be up to something.

"First" by The Wayfarers

 

Los Angeles, California duo The Wayfarers (not to be confused with Ohio Appalachian band The Wayfarers, or folk trio The Wayfarers, or Australian band The Wayfarers, or Swedish band The Wayfarers, or....) fly like a cannonball falling to the Earth on their stripped down remake of "First," a 2015 single from Long Beach, California indie rock group Cold War Kids.

"Making Plans for Nigel" by Chil

 

Edinburgh, Scotland pop and classic cover band Chil perform their version of "Making Plans for Nigel," a 1979 single for Swindon, UK art punk band XTC.

Unless he retired (which is possible, seeing as it's been a good 45 years since the song's release), a quick perusal of the British Steel staff page shows that, despite attempts to map out his career trajectory, there are no Nigels currently employed there.

There is an opening for a Plant Operative in Scunthorpe, though.... so you never know.  

"18 and Life" by Hydrogyn

 

On today's date in 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev presented the first periodic table of the elements.

So, here's Ashland, Kentucky female fronted metal band Hydrogyn with their version of "18 and Life," the 1989 breakout hit for Toms River, New Jersey glam band Skid Row.

For another Skid Row cover, The Ataris' version of "I Remember You" can be found here.

"Turn! Turn! Turn!" by Red Tracy

 

Red Tracy is a solo performer from.... dunno.

There's an art exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark called Red Tracy, so we'll just roll with him being a Danish guy until someone corrects me.

His official Twitter account no longer exists, and there's no bio information available across the multiple websites that host his album "Unplugged Visions" 

He covers 18 songs, at least half of which have incorrect titles.  

But maybe that's part of the charm... like when a movie gets a much different title to appeal to another nation's market.  Check out these movie titles from releases in Chinese theaters, particularly the new name of "Pretty Woman."

Here's his version of "Turn! Turn! Turn!" originally released in 1962 by Los Angeles, California folk revivalists The Limeliters, the definitive version released several years later by psychedelic rock band The Byrds.

"Hold On" by Band Geek

 

Band Geek are an ubertalented circle of friends from Staten Island, New York who started a podcast together discussing music, which eventually morphed into a space for them to perform web covers.  Here's their rendition of "Hold On," 1990's most popular single from Los Angeles, California soft vocal pop group Wilson Phillips.

Just when you think it's a video filmed entirely in the studio......oh, my.   Hilarity ensues.

For a cover by Wilson Phillips, their version of "A Reason to Believe" can be found here.

"Love My Way" by Rogue Wave

 

Oakland, California indie band Rogue Wave dust off the old Jaymar for their toy piano driven cover of "Love My Way," the 1982 new wave single from London, UK college radio staples The Psychedelic Furs.

For more covers of the Furs, Feathermerchants' version of "Heartbreak Beat" can be found here, and The Dresden Dolls' version of "Pretty in Pink" can be found here.

"Supernova" by The Hey Honeys

 

Montclair, New Jersey band The Hey Honeys drizzle some high energy coverdom on the upstairs crowd at Tierney's with their remake of "Supernova," the whip smart 1994 single from Chicago, Illinois by way of New Haven, Connecticut lo-fi modern rocker Liz Phair.

"I Can't Make You Love Me" by The March Ahead

 

Happy first day of March!

There's still plenty of March ahead, so here's Columbus, Ohio producer and composer The March Ahead with a cover of Burbank, California country roots artist Bonnie Raitt's 1991 heartachy ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me."

For a cover by Bonnie Raitt, her version of "Runaway" can be found here.