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.
The big cover news in July was that Disney announced that Mickey & Friends will release A Whole New Sound, an album featuring Disney hits covered by alternative rock and pop-punk bands, with Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight (from The Lion King) by Simple Plan as a first taste. Being stubborn as we are, we offer you some other choice cuts here.
How Does It Feel To Feel || Cover: Jody and the Jerms || Original: The Creation
Jody and the Jerms mix indie rock, garage pop and punk with a good dose of energy, charm, and hooks, so you’ll understand that we’re fans of the British band. Their new Different Skies EP (self-released) contains five tracks that are quite different from each other but are all equally attractive, including a wonderful cover of The Creation’s 1967 single, a personal mod favorite.
I Can Only Give You Everything || Cover: The Fadeaways || Original: Them
As part of their 2024 Australian debut tour, Japanese garage rock sensation The Fadeaways have released the appropriately titled Pretty Wild LP (out on Cheersquad Records & Tapes), featuring four originals and four covers, a raw and raucous mix of 60s-inspired garage, punk and psych. You can’t really go wrong with any of the songs from Toyozo (vocals, bass), Assman (guitar) and Ozzy (drums), fate decided this one.
Prove My Love || Cover: Monty Vega & The Sittin’ Shivas || Original: Violent Femmes
Monty Vega & The Sittin’ Shivas are an old school punk rock outfit from Portland, Oregon. We previously wrote about their albums Affordable Excellence and Closed (No Fun), and we would also like to share their new Little Dilemma EP (self-released) with you. In addition to two nice originals, there are catchy covers of The Moody Blues’ Ride My See-Saw and this track from Violent Femmes’ 1983 debut studio LP.
Teenage Kicks || Cover: Lone Justice || Original: The Undertones
London-based alt-country punk outfit Lone Justice – Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock and Marvin Etzoni – had their heyday in the 80s, but still sound vibrant and urgent as ever on a brand new 7” (out on Afar). Taken from their upcoming album, the A-side here is a passionate rendition of the indestructible Undertones classic. The flip has a live version of Nothing Can Stop My Loving You, written by George Jones and Roger Miller.
Time (BBC session version) || Cover: The Loft || Original: Richard Hell
Nearly forty years ago, Peter Astor, Andy Strickland, Bill Prince and Dave Morgan wrote indie pop history on Creation Records as The Loft. Last October they went back into the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios to record a four-track Riley & Coe session, now released on 10″ vinyl (through Precious Recordings of London). They close with this wonderful jangling cover. Timeless.
Do It Twice || Cover: Joey Quiñones || Original: Bob Marley & The Wailers
Los Angeles-based record label My Grito have released the very entertaining charity compilation Mas Alto! Volume 6, featuring 26 Latin-flavored tracks by cool bands/artists such as Harlis Sweetwater, 3LH, The Fazes and Go Betty Go. Largely in the corner of garage rock and skate punk, but actually broader than that, like this sunny Chicano soul cover of Thee Sinseers’ Joey Quiñones.
A Thing About You || The Dahlmanns || Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Norwegian power pop outfit The Dahlmanns are back with the very nice Lucky EP (out on Snap!! Records Spain), which, in addition to the vibrant title track, contains infectious covers of Tom Petty’s A Thing About You (from his 1981 Hard Promises LP with The Heartbreakers ) and Fleetwood Mac’s Blue Letter (from their 1975 self-titled album).
Sha La La La Lee || Cover: Howlin’ Ric & The Rocketeers || Small Faces
British rock ‘n’ rollers Howlin’ Ric (Richard Colley) and his Rocketeers (Adam Richards, Ben Powling, Joshua Smout and Will Lakin) are back with another six exciting rhythm & blues tunes, brought together on their digital Covers 3 EP (self-released), which naturally follows Covers 1 and Covers 2 (2020). Especially their live take on this quirky 1966 Small Faces hit is fun.
Wave of Mutilation (Live at Edone, Bergamo, Italy) || Cover: Geoff Palmer || Original: Pixies
The 2022 performance of Geoff Palmer (vocals, guitar) with Zack Sprague (drums, vocals) and Kurt Baker (bass, vocals) at Italian summer festival Punk Rock Raduno is now also available on vinyl LP. The live registration of the thirteen tracks has captured the power and fun of these three heroes quite well, with this surprising Pixies cover towards the end of the show.
Shakin’ All Over || Cover: The Raveonettes || Original: Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
More than twenty years after their debut, Danish rock duo The Raveonettes provide a nice insight into the bands that inspired them to start making music. On The Raveonettes Sing… (Cleopatra Records) they cover ten of them, including The Velvet Underground (Venus In Furs), The Shirelles (Will You Love Me Tomorrow), The Cramps (Goo Goo Muck), and this one, in which their sound comes out best.
Bonus track:
Walking On Sunshine || Cover: Ice Nine Kills & Reel Big Fish || Original: Katrina and the Waves
Sumerian Comics is in full swing with the American Psycho comic series, and if that’s not enough, Sumerian Records is adding a soundtrack. The latest addition is a remarkable cover by metalcore band Ice Nine Kills together with ska punk band Reel Big Fish, both doing their own thing, making this version as overcrowded as it is disturbing. Don’t it feel good? I guess it’s just as ambiguous as the previous book and movie.
Also worth mentioning:
Adieu Monde Cruel (Pink Floyd’s Goodbye Cruel World) by Le Volume Était Au Maximum (LVEAM)
The American Ruse (MC5) by Carson McHone
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli) by Buckets
Escape from the City (Ted Poley & Tony Harnell) by Devon Kay & the Solutions
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky (Stan Jones) by Charley Crockett
Never Meant (American Football) by Iron & Wine
Rock & Roll (The Velvet Underground) by The Ratchets
Telepathic Love (Wipers) by Lifeguard
Venus In Furs (The Velvet Underground & Nico) by Seablite
What Was I Made For? (Billie Eilish) by Ben Klahr
Why Worry (Dire Straits) by Isobel Campbell
Wurlitzer Jukebox (Young Marble Giants) by Swirls
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more cool cover songs.