Last February a tribute album, titled Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute
To Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense was announced featuring BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, the Cavemen, Chicano Batman feat. Money Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, girl in red, Jean Dawson, Kevin Abstract, the Linda Lindas, Lorde, Miley Cyrus,
the National, Teezo Touchdown, and Toro y Moi.
And now TH’s mastermind David Byrne returned the favor with his cover of Paramore‘s 2017 monster hit Hard Times (more than 400 million streams on Spotify).
San Diego‘s post-hardcore turbine PIERCE THE VEIL, featuring the Fuentes brothers, play/played Radiohead classic Karma Police live for a while now, so they decided to
record it in the studio and share it with their massive following.
“We are products of the ’80s and ’90s MTV era, so songs like Karma Police live deep within our childhood minds. We dug this one up as an opportunity to indulge in something comforting and familiar. Taking inspiration from the memories and emotions the song evokes in us, we created a version that reflects where we come from as a band.“We were happy to discover that the song remained haunting and beautiful even when fed through distortion pedals and loud guitars.”
DROWN is one of the best songs Billy Corgan ever wrote for/with THE SMASHING PUMPKINS. It happened after their 1991 Gish LP
came out, and featured on the soundtrack of 1992 romantic comedy
film Singles by Cameron Crowe.
It should have been a huge hit.
Billy Corgan:“We wanted it to be a single, we were pushing for it. I was even willing
to make it a video. Radio stations were playing it. And when it came time for the third
single (off the soundtrack) , they said, ‘Screaming Trees.’ And I was like, ‘Screaming Trees??’
But what label is Alice in Chains on and what label are the Screaming Trees on? ‘Epic‘,
which is the label that put out the soundtrack. And that’s what killed the song.”
Afterward, in 2001, SP included the song on their Greatests Hits compilation Rotten Apples, although they cut it, incredibly, in half, killing the flabbergasting
guitar solo in the process.
Here’s the full movie soundtrack version.
I almost forgot why I started this post in the first place. So here we go. Canadian artist ALICE GLASS, former vocalist of EBM trash duo Chrystal Castles just shared her version of the song.
Glass: “I believe in the power of art to transcend betrayal and disappointment. “Drown” is not just a cover; it’s a testament to resilience and artistic integrity. This track was created after we were asked to be a part of an exciting compilation that ultimately didn’t end up happening. But I didn’t want that to stop us from sharing our interpretation of this iconic Smashing Pumpkins track. This release is a declaration of autonomy and a reminder that true artistry cannot be stifled by broken promises.”
Glass really turned it upside down. Check it out.
(Image Alice Glass: cover of her solo debut LP ‘PREY//IV)
While surfing on the Internet the other day I stumbled into this glorious performance.
The British DUMFRIES COMMUNITY CHOIR is renowned for covering big pop anthems.
Last year, film company A24 launched a restored version
of Talking Heads’ 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense.
And A24 will now also release a tribute album, titled Everyone’s Getting Involved:
A Tribute To Talking Heads. It will feature BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, the Cavemen, Chicano Batman feat. Money Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, girl in red, Jean Dawson, Kevin Abstract, the Linda Lindas, Miley Cyrus, the National, Teezo Touchdown, and Toro y Moi.
Illustrious songstress LORDE (born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor 27 years ago in New Zealand) is also part of the cast of invitees. She coversTAKE ME TO THE RIVER, one of the most famous Talking Heads song. Actually their take of, now 77-year-old, soul singer Al Green‘s 1974 hit (more than 86 million streams on Spotify.
It’ll be a special edition pressed on Silver Nugget wax and housed in a silver laminated jacket. The booklet features liner notes by compilation producer & former Lou Reed publicist Bill Bentley, featuring photos by Mick Rock and Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Angel Olsen and Maxim Ludwig are also part of the tribute. They cover Can’t Stand It, written by Reed for The Velvet Underground. I never heard Olsen performing on such a loud track.
Last October New Jersey‘s lauded indie rockers THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM released
their 1st album in nearly 10 years with the excellent HISTORY BOOKS.
Two weeks ago they started their UK/Europe tour. For the occasion they shared a new
4-track EP with some acoustic versions of album tracks (stream below). It also includes a cover of OCEAN EYES, the 2017 massive Billie Eilish hit (more than 1,325 billion streams on Spotify).
Brian Fallon (frontman): “I was driving my daughter to school and she played it for me
on the way and I really took to the song. Then one day we were talking ideas for a cover with our friends and I said, wouldn’t it be cool to do a heavier version of ‘Ocean Eyes’? I tried it out and everybody loved the idea.”
TGA turned the tender musing upside down into a whipped-up
belter with the chorus going sky-high. Bingo!
The cover is part of the soundtrack of movie Kung Fu Panda 4.
I hoped they would trash the song in a sort of funny punk way, but
they actually kept it pretty clean, yet pretty catchy and thumbs up
for Black‘s powerhouse voice.
The accompanying video was filmed at the premiere of the film last Sunday in L.A.
Black: “Britney, if you’re watching, I love you. I love the song. I’m here! I’m ready when
you are. I’m waiting by the phone,” he said. “I got kicks! I don’t quite have Britney kicks,
but you know, I got some moves.”
Last year Louisville‘s scathing garage noiseniks WHITE REAPER released their
4th LP Asking For A Ride and promote on the road as support act to Weezer.
They now join the long queue of artists doing covers.
They picked I CAN’T HELP MYSELF. The opener of the1980 debut longplayer Jeopardy by British post-punk indies THE SOUND fronted by the unfortunate Adrian Boland who took his own life in 1999, aged 41.
Esposito (guitarist) : ““We wanted to put something out and we didn’t have an album
yet so we covered a song that we love. We’ve done this before and we’ll probably do it
again. The Sound is a really great band and you should check them out if you’re unfamiliar.”
The White Reaper‘s version is a respectful tribute
to one of the most underrated indie bands ever.
