Take Cover

So, I've noticed as of late an onslaught of bands covering one another's songs and I thought I'd throw up a post about it.

First and definitely most noteworthy is that Art Brut and We Are Scientists have covered "The Great Escape" and "Bang Band Rock & Roll" from each other's albums (TGE is a WAS song and BBR&R is Art Brut). This is just excellent for a host of reasons, the first being that WAS and Art Brut sound nothing alike so I'm sure they will bring unique viewpoints to each of the songs. According to NME.com, Art Brut has recorded the fast paced and exciting "Escape" as an homage to Lynard Skynard's "Free Bird" (Lynne, holla!). Meanwhile WAS aimed to sound like the Velvet Underground when recording "Bang Bang" in response to an Art Brut lyric declaring their dislike for the Velvet.
Look! WAS with no beards!

But this sh*t is about to really get interesting as the two bands embark on a tour together next month. Sadly, for whatever ridiculous reason NYC has not been made a part of that tour (Art Brut will perform at Warsaw in Oct but with The Spinto Band as opener). Regardless though these two covers are destined to get the crowds roaring for what are already sick live scenes.

I'd also like to take this moment to say how much I love that WAS is friends with like every band out there. Chris Cain of WAS (bassist) appeared in a video for still relatively unknown Scottish band the Cinematics (cross btw Mogwai and Interpol - not bad, download "Break"). And they are just blowing up in Europe - all their UK shows in Oct are sold out. Yay WAS!

Second random cover to note - the Polyphonic Spree is covering Nirvana's "Lithium" on their new EP (also courtesy NME.com). I've not really too much to say about this because, well, I have no idea how it's going to sound.

And finally, this doesn't have anything to do about covering one another's songs but I heard on an NME podcast that Alex and Nick from Franz Ferdinand were most excited to see Belle and Sebastian at the Carding festival in the UK last week.

So bands like each other, listen to each other, and cover each other. What's not to love about that? All artists must be best friends and hang out all the time! I can dream, right?