It’s been three years since Drunk Dial released the second installment in its Fakes series, a concept that tends to confuse people until they discover that Sugar, Sugar was indeed performed by a fictional band. Long story short: the Fakes compilations invite artists from the EDDU (Expanded Drunk Dial Universe) to cover songs originally performed by fictional bands.
Volume Three features a stacked lineup that includes Night Court, Spells, TV Cop, Keddies Resort, Sex Mex, The Shitfits, and Classic Pat, all familiar names around these parts. Judging by the results, everyone involved had a blast. SPELLS may have had the most fun of all, transforming The Thermos Song from Steve Martin’s The Jerk into 50 seconds of gleeful pirate-punk chaos.
Part of the appeal is that many of these songs are obscure enough that you may not even realize they exist. Others ring a distant bell from movies you watched once years ago, such as Teacher’s Pet from School of Rock or Garbage Truck from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. A few are more recognizable, including Sugar and Spice from The Archie Show, Listen to the Flower People from Spinal Tap, and Somebody Kill Me Please from The Wedding Singer.
The niche premise is exactly what makes this compilation so enjoyable. The songs themselves are short, but chances are you’ll spend three times the running time looking up the originals, comparing versions, and falling down increasingly ridiculous YouTube rabbit holes. Case in point: I Love Beans by Regdar and the Fighters. Listen to the cover, watch the original, then return to the cover. Smiling is pretty much unavoidable. Just know, I saw a clip from a 1964 episode of Stingray, and it’s amazing.
More than anything, Fakes – Volume Three captures the sense that everyone involved is having an absurd amount of fun. It even reveals new sides of bands you thought you already knew (e.g., listen to the Sex Mex cover). The only concern is whether there are enough fictional bands left to sustain future installments. I sure hope so.
As always, all proceeds from the digital and cassette release go to charity. This time, funds will benefit KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), an international nonprofit that provides legal and psychosocial support to unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children. Purchasing this one comes with guaranteed zero regret.
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