The opening line of the new Retail Simps LP hits you straight away: “We’re a garage band, we’re from Garageland.” But make no mistake, this isn’t your typical garage band. Beyond the shifting names — from Tha Retail Simpson on their 2022 debut, to Theee Retail Simps on their 2023 follow-up, and now Thine Retail Simps, the group from Montreal stands out for its creativity and ability to concoct exhilarating blends from whatever they’ve got lying around in their sonic garage. I’m going for garage-punk-R&B-psych-and-soul, just to be done of with, because really, this is one of those records you need to experience and just make your own mind up on what to call it.
Strike Gold, Strike Back, Strike Out is a wild, chaotic trip through Garageland, where anything goes, and the biggest sin is being boring. Thine Retail Simps push the edges of familiar soundscapes, smashing them together into a potent cocktail that might be too intense for some but downright thrilling for others. Count me in the latter group for sure!
The band loops back to their opening line on the album’s closer, Duckland $imps (Out) — a loose and playful track on an album full of them. They thank the listener, saying, “We put a lot of hard work into this record and we hope you like it.” Honestly, it feels unnecessary after the impressive collection of songs that came before. Still, it adds to the charm of a band that not only put in the effort but clearly had a blast doing so.
Over the past few years, we’ve come to know Danish-Brazilian rock ‘n’ roll duo The Courettes through their fuzzy garage rock songs and provocative live shows, but now they’re taking a slightly different path. Not really a surprise after hearing last May’s Hold On, We’re Comin’ LP, on which singer/guitarist Flavia Couri and drummer Martin Couri covered classics, partly in collaboration with the original artists. While they can’t completely let go of their dirty and dangerous side, they determinedly bring a poppy girl group sound much more to the fore on their new full-length, aptly titled The Soul Of…The Fabulous Courettes. They didn’t want to do the same album again, but chose to show their love for Motown and Phil Spector’s Wall Of Sound, and they succeed brilliantly. The thirteen songs are a bit more personal – the souls of both musicians can be found not only in the music but also in the lyrics – but still meant to dance to.
The Soul Of…The Fabulous Courettes, produced by C. T. Levine & Søren Christensen, is out now on vinyl LP through Damaged Goods Records.
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.
I Trusted You || Cover: Gustaf || Original: Andy Kaufman
Now this is a good idea. The song in which performance artist Andy Kaufman repeats the three words from the title more and more manically (we are talking about the late 70s), gets an awesome post-punk treatment from Brooklyn art rock outfit Gustaf. Lydia Gammill (lead vocals), Tine Hill (bass), Vram Kherlopian (guitar, keyboards), Melissa Lucciola (drums) and Tarra Thiessen (vocals, percussion) played the tune live in their early days as a band, and finally felt the time was right to release it — produced, mixed, and engineered by Jim Eno (Spoon). This could easily become a big dance floor hit. Out digitally via Royal Mountain Records.
The Dedication Song || Cover: The Fleshtones || Original: Freddy Cannon
And we have more cool music from New York, quite different though. Legendary garage rockers The Fleshtones return with a fresh 45 on which Peter Zaremba (vocals, piano), Keith Streng (guitar, backing vocals), Ken Fox (bass, backing vocals) and Bill Milhizer (percussion, backing vocals) rebuild two forgotten tunes. A-side Festa di Frankenstein is an alternate version of The Swinging Phillies’ 1967 Halloween track Frankenstein’s Party, here sung in Italian and featuring a saxophone solo. The Dedication Song on the flipside is even more fun, as catchy as it gets, thanks in part to new lyrics to Freddy Cannon’s 1966 hit — it serves as a sequel to their successful 1984 single American Beat. Out on limited edition 7″ vinyl through Yep Roc Records.
I Can See You || Cover: Cherie Currie & The Dead Boys || Original: Taylor Swift
Rock acts such as The Courettes and The Dollyrots and pop singers like Tiffany and Samantha Cole are brought together on the 12-track compilation A Strange Tribute To Taylor Swift, a title that says it all. The punk rock rendition of I Can See You by Cherie Currie (The Runaways) with The Dead Boys gets priority on our stage. Out digitally and on CD through Cleopatra Records.
You Don’t Own Me || Cover: Bad Buddy || Original: Lesley Gore
Edmonton, Alberta-based rock band Bad Buddy are back with their sophomore album Bad Buddy II. Emily Bachynski (vocals, guitar), Andi Vissia (vocals, guitar), Shari Rae (bass, backing vocals) and Geoffrey Hamdon-O’Brien (drums) deliver ten powerful originals with distinctive vocals taking center stage, and while the one cover is more understated, it still holds up in terms of intensity. Out digitally via Meatflower Music.
Newtown || Cover: Dealing With Damage & Yootha Today || The Slits
On the split 7″ Dealing With Dinosaurs, two British punk bands each share two notable covers. Dinosaur Skull chose songs by Big Drill Car (In Green Fields) and Dogpiss (She Said), Dealing With Damage pays tribute to The Cure (M) and The Slits (Newtown). Extra credits for the collaboration with Yootha Today (Edna Flange, Mimsy Scratcher and Ethel Quim) on the energetic closing track. Out digitally and on limited dino green vinyl 7″ through Brassneck Records.
Searching For The Truth || Cover: The Harlem Gospel Travelers || Cover: Dwain Vinyard
On their new album Rhapsody, gospel singers Ifedayo Gatling, Dennis Bailey, and George Marage delve into Numero Group’s gospel funk catalog, a suggestion from their mentor Eli “Paperboy” Reed that pays off. The original versions, found on the compilation Good God! Apocryphal Hymns, are definitely worth checking out, but the new versions are also top-notch — this track in particular is heavenly. Out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Colemine Records.
You Dont Believe Me || Popincourt || Original: The Pretty Things
On the House of Four EP, four psych pop and mod-adjacent artists celebrate English R&B band The Pretty Things. Andy Lewis (Walking Down The Street), Popincourt (You Don’t Believe Me), Papernut Cambridge (Defecting Grey) and Robert Rotifer (House of Ten) pass this challenge with ease. The ragged edge of Olivier Popincourt’s vocals stand out to me. Out digitally and on 10″ vinyl through Gare du Nord Records.
Brown Eyed Girl || Cover: Nuisance || Original: Van Morrison
Californian punk band Nuisance, who made some waves in the 90s, have collected sixteen singles, compilation tracks and songs found in a garbage can on new compilation Terminal Fuckups, including the ska-tinged, gritty and infectious take on Van Morrison’s classic Brown Eyed Girl. Out digitally via Lavasocks Records.
Fade Into You || Cover: The Rubens || Original: Mazzy Star
Then it’s a small step to Hope Sandoval, the lead singer of Mazzy Star, who won many hearts with her dreamy performances of the wonderful 1994 single Fade Into You. Australian alt-rock band The Rubens may not be able to top that in their contribution to triple j’s Like A Version – no one can, right? – but they certainly know how to captivate, not least because of that slide guitar. Their new (original) single Sunday Night is out now via Ivy League Records.
Last Leaf || Cover: Willie Nelson || Original: Tom Waits
It’s almost unimaginable, but country icon Willie Nelson is coming with his 76th solo studio album (and 153rd album overall). Under the title Last Leaf On The Tree he covers tracks such as Lost Cause (Beck), Come Ye (Nina Simone), Keep Me In Your Heart (Warren Zevon), Robbed Blind (Keith Richards) and Are You Ready For The Country? (Neil Young). The record will also feature two songs by Tom Waits, of which Bad As Me‘s Last Leaf has already been shared. I played the old and new version at the same time: the two unique voices fit surprisingly well together, but on their own they also are both beautiful. Out on November 1 through Legacy Recordings.
Be My Baby || Cover: UFO Club || Original: The Ronettes
The UFO Club was a garage psych project by Night Beats’ Danny Lee Blackwell and Black Angels’ Christian Bland, who released a self-titled album through Reverberation Appreciation Society in 2012. Its eleven tracks include reverberating covers of The Ronettes’ Be My Baby and The Seeds’ Up in Her Room. The LP is available again on vinyl via Bandcamp, so what better reason to share it here?
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more cool cover songs.
Over thirty years into their career, we’ve come to appreciate and experience the soulful sound of Californian punk rock quartet The BellRays as a reliable beacon—their proven formula: emotion + energy = excitement—but another release is always good news, especially since we’re dealing with one of the most amazing female vocalists around. On the new Heavy Steady Go! LP, Lisa “big voice, big hair” Kekaula and Robert Vennum live up to their reputation with their unique synergy: he builds a concrete wall of solid but raw guitar riffs, which she paints in bright colors with her soul-powered vocals. Together with an experienced rhythm section* they play at maximum volume in ten original songs, inspired by icons such as Tom Petty, Bon Scott, Fleetwood Mac, Howlin’ Wolf, Cheap Trick and Betty Davis. It’s all rock-hard, but those who listen closely will discover deeper layers.
Heavy Steady Go! is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Sweet Gee Records. *Its recording was split by two cities, two years and two rhythm sections, featuring Mark Cisneros (bass) and Ron Miller (drums) in a Tucson, AZ session, and Nico Miles (bass) and Craig Waters (drums) in a Riverside, CA session. Band founders Robert and Lisa seamlessly produced both sessions into the final record. The digital version includes covers of The Temptations’ Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) and Duane Dee’s True Love Travels on a Gravel Road (popularized by Elvis Presley) as bonus tracks.
Looking at the artist’s history and this album credits raises the level of expectation considerably. New York singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Benny Trokan played with bands such as Spoon, Lee Fields’ Expressions, Reigning Sound, Charles Bradley’s Extraordinaires and The Jay Vons. On his first solo record Do You Still Think Of Me you hear Morgan King (bass) and Mikey Post (drums), but also contributions from countless other big names. Trokan reportedly wrote the twelve songs here with other singers in mind, but it was a good decision that he kept them for himself—I am pleasantly surprised, in many ways. Musically it is a unique mix of 60s-inspired soul, garage rock and freakbeat, partly sweet and partly raw, partly subdued and partly energetic, but always appealing and well-executed. An unsuspecting listener might think this LP is a various artists compilation, if it weren’t for the gritty vocals and wonderful production that provide a common thread. This one is a keeper.
Do You Still Think Of Me is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Wick Records.
The Charades are a Los Angeles-based soul duo featuring Joshua Strauther and Curtis Pettygrove. Their debut EP C is for Charades enchants with meandering melodies, groovy hooks and attractive vocals. The vintage sound in the five tunes here, with warm tones of organ and vibraphone, has something cinematic and mysterious. Reportedly, Screaming Jay Hawkins’ I Put a Spell On You served as inspiration to create a somewhat spooky atmosphere, and although it is not as frantic as that 1956 classic, its mood is captured quite well. The Q for Quality applies.
C is for Charades, engineered, mixed and mastered by Aaron Stern / Dan Young, is out now digitally and on 7″ vinyl through Earth Libraries.
For this one, we’re taking a turn off the bumpy rock ‘n’ roll road we usually cruise around, ending up in a smooth and sultry space, but I like it, so here we go. Reno, Nevada-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Saoul Bumbu has just released his new full-length ElectricPeachyCocoFuzz, featuring eleven soulful funk tracks that exude a Prince-related vibe but are still completely original. The artist has coined the term ‘The Fuzz’ for his colorful and hypnotic sound with psych, rock and jazz influences, in which synths predominate but guitars are also present. Check. Expect explicit songs that will work well both on the dance floor and in the bedroom.
ElectricPeachyCocoFuzz, written, composed, produced and performed by Saoul (Phreakyamind Inc.), is out now digitally (self-released). Also featuring Joey Satellite, Marlene LoRayne, Gabe Gonzalez aka The Undi$co Kidd and Corey Dee Williams on select tracks.
Jimmy James (Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, True Loves), Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3), and Tim Carman (GA-20, Tim Carman Trio)—Parlor Greens is a supergroup for sure. Their joint debut LP In Green We Dream was written, performed, and recorded straight to an old Tascam 388 tape machine, within three days after the three maestros came together, where the magic of instant chemistry took effect. These are eleven organ-heavy instrumentals – soulful funk and psychedelic jazz – with a raw and loose live feel. After ten original cuts, including a beautiful tribute to the late Sharon Jones (Flowers For Sharon), the trio closes with a grooving George Harrison cover (My Sweet Lord).
In Green We Dream is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Colemine Records. RIYL: The Meters, Guy Hamper Trio feat. James Taylor, Booker T & The MG’s, Medeski Martin & Wood.
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 SkiesEP (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.
Chicago-based songwriters Woody Goss and Jeremy Daly are back with their 70s-inspired new album Hold Up, Look Back. We get nine sun-kissed and soulful songs in which yacht rock meets dance funk. Witty lyrics are delivered, without irony, by heavenly harmony vocals (one striking example: “I was writing you a love letter // It turned into pornography // Figuring my shit out // Getting into therapy” – from Love Letter), and magical musicians guarantee groovy melodies. Quirky fun and funky quality are a golden combination, just like Woody & Jeremy are.
Hold Up, Look Back is out now digitally and on vinyl LP. Featuring Woody Goss (keys, piano, guitar, Jeremy Daly (vocals), Packy Lundholm (guitar, percussion), Reuben Garza (drums), Joe Dart (bass), Andrew Vogt (bass), Jess Best (background vocals), Taylor Harvey (background vocals) and Ted Taforo (saxophone).
