Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, eg as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are – in random order – ten of our favorite covers from last month – links to the pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.
She Lied || Cover: Acumen || Original: The Rockin’ Ramrods
With their Mark VII LP on Rad Girlfriend Records, Carbondale, Illinois-based garage punk outfit Acumen finally make their debut on vinyl. Besides two originals. we get eight raw garage rock covers of nuggets from the psychedelic 60s, including this 1964 classic.
What A Way To Die || Cover: Middle’s || Original: The Pleasure Seekers
Middle’s are a garage punk four-piece from Sendai-city, Japan, possibly known from Chaputa!’s second Kaminari compilation. L.O.D Records has brought together sixteen of the tunes they perform regularly, including raucous covers of Have Love Will Travel, C’mon And Swim and 1966 single What A Way To Die, which introduced the world to Suzi Quatro.
Ciudadano Ejemplar || Cover: Animal Farm || Original: Subterranean Kids
Subterranean Kids were a hardcore punk band from Barcelona, now honored with a charity compilation album featuring fast and furious cover versions by 22 bands (Animal Farm, Chimpance, Anti Idols, Build Me A Bomb, Alerta, E-150, En La Stackada, Mixomatosis, Tangana, Vitus Dance, Escuela De Oido, Garapal, Nara, Mall, Deedöh, Ultimo Gobierno, Nightshot, 2084, Nitropollo, Bad Therapy, Boom Boom Kid, Nocivo), released by a lot of different labels. A part of the proceeds of Un Tributo a Subterranean Kids goes directly to the Hardcore Hits Cancer association.
Don’t Burst My Bubble || Cover: The Prisoners || Original: Small Faces
Countdown Records was founded in the 80s by Eddie Piller, Maxine Conroy and Terry Rawlings, with the aim to document an upcoming generation of Mod and 60s revival artists. One of those bands were The Prisoners, who now return with a new 7” single on the label, featuring covers of lesser-known tracks by Small Faces and Jimi Hendrix that were integral to the live sets of the British band.
I Hear You Knocking || Cover: The Krayolas || Original: Smiley Lewis
At about the same time that The Prisoners were making waves, so did The Krayolas from Texas – “the Tex-Mex Beatles” – with music that you can easily play back to back at a dance party. They’ve also returned with a fresh cover (on Box Records), an R&B hit written by Dave Bartholomew and first recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1955, but popularized by Dave Edmunds in 1970.
Steppin’ Stone || Cover: Geneva Powerhouse || Original: Paul Revere & the Raiders
3 O’Clock Rock is an after school and summer music program for kids and adults in the US. It’s worth following their output, especially the music performed by children is often very entertaining (e.g. the That’s Kinda Kita tune, which I wrote about a few years ago, still stands). Regardless of their age, the Pennies and Dimes EP from Geneva Powerhouse – San Francisco teens Mei (guitar, vocals), Clara (guitar), Hazel (keys) and Violet (drums) – is quite convincing. The B-side is a cover of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, an indestructible song written by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart and first recorded by the English band Liverpool Five, but first released by Paul Revere & the Raiders, in May 1966.
The Diamond Sea || Cover: Wilderhoney || Original: Sonic Youth
Wilderhoney, aka Tommy Plural-McCord (vocals, guitars, mandolin, bass, harmonica) and Adam Aymor (pedal steel, dobro, keyboards) of the Wild Honey Collective, released a self-titled six-track EP via GTG Records, created in a handful of quick jam sessions (with Joel Kuiper on drums). It contains an uplifting cover of The Byrds’ Wasn’t Born To Follow and a beautiful, subdued indie folk version of The Diamond Sea, originally recorded by Sonic Youth for their 1995 Washing Machine LP.
Walking the Cow || Cover: Skribe || Original: Daniel Johnston
On January 22, the so-called Hi, How Are You Day was celebrated again, in honor of Daniel Johnston’s birthday, but also to pay attention to the importance of mental health and well-being (the mission of the Hi, How Are You Project). Annapolis, Maryland-based garage folk musician Skribe helped organize the event, but also recorded this impressive cover (proceeds benefit the project), which once again shows how much beauty the late great American artist left behind.
So Far Away || Cover: Town Mountain || Original: Dire Straits
Asheville, North Carolina-based bluegrass band Town Mountain has been delivering beautiful original roots music for over fifteen years, but when they recently were given the opportunity to record at Levon Helm Studios, they opted for six covers, now collected on the Dance Me Down Easy: The Woodstock Sessions EP, out through New West Records. A Levon Helm song (the title track) is a given, but the choices for The Kinks, Rolling Stones and especially Dire Straits are more remarkable.
Smells Like Teen Spirit || Cover: Blue Mode || Original: Nirvana
And finally something completely different. Nirvana fans will probably consider it sacrilege that this grunge anthem has been converted into a funky Hammond groove with a prominent role for a pan flute, but the swinging Chip Wickham-produced version by Blue Mode works surprisingly well. Out on a split 7″ vinyl through Jazz Room Records, with a boogaloo take on Lonnie Smith’s Hola Muneca by El Chavo on the flipside.
Also worth mentioning:
Green Day’s Do Da Da by Kryye
Pinhead Gunpowder’s New Blood by Pep Talk
Porno For Pyros’ Pets by Ruah
Olivia Rodrigo’s Bad Idea Right? by Courting
The Queers’ Debra Jean by Vista Blue
The Sonics’ Strychnine by The Smoggers
Stromae’s Alors On Danse by Revolverheld (in German)
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John’s You’re The One That I Want by UV & The Rays
And for your consideration: Hutch Harris (The Thermals) and Kevin Seconds (7 Seconds) offer to cover any song of your choice, as long as the lyrics and chords are online.
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more cool cover songs.