Best bands at doing covers

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Those artists who make a consistent habit of covering other people's songs and doing it so, so well. In no particular order:

Red House Painters - For turning Phil Collins into Gold. I think that's all that needs to be said. (sorry for repeating myself re: RHP C or D?)

Pansy Division - See 'Smells Like Queer Spirit', amongst others. For twisting other people's songs to their own unique perspective and with a wicked sense of humour, without coming across as a dodgy cut-and-shut job. They rock.

Low - I could mention half of their 'Christmas' album or their heart-stoppingly melancholic collaboration with Dirty Three on Neil Young's 'Down By The River'.

Walkabouts - Their wildly beautiful 'Satisfied Mind' covers collection has been stuck in my walkman for three months. Carla Torgerson sings the Carter Family's 'The Storms Are On The Ocean' as if the words belong to her, and her only. Spine-tingling.

― Ben Squircle, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

have you heard Mr Bungle do Billy Squire's "The Stroke"??... i mean.. GOOD GOD!

― chaki, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Elf Power - all decent covers of Eno, Jesus and Mary Chain, Robyn Hitchcock, Flaming Lips, T. Rex, and Thinking Fellers Union Local 282.

The Flamings Lip, for that matter - Echo and the Bunnymen, Suicide, Sonic Youth, Smog, Led Zeppelin, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Costello, Chainsaw Kittens, Bee Gees, Neil Young, etc.

The Residents - heh heh

Built To Spill live - Vince Guaraldi, Macy Gray (I'm holding my opinions of "Cortez The Killer" and "Free Bird" until I hear them)

― Brian MacDonald, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Moog Cookbook

― static, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Galaxie 500 (for all of them).

Saint Etienne (for 'Only Love...', 'Kiss and Make Up' and 'Are We Gonna Be Alright').

The Wedding Present (although they lose major major points for attempting 'Cattle & Cane').

― electric sound of jim, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Everyone knocks that version of "Cattle and Cane," but hell, at least they did it.

Marc Almond has done some freakin' amazing cover versions over the moons, in Soft Cell and beyond it. Sure, there are the obvious hits and all, but I'm also thinking of Scott Walker's "Big Louise," the tribute album to Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour's "What Makes a Man a Man," "Muleskinner Blues," "A Salty Dog," "The Heel," many many others...

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ida know a LOT of songs by other people that they've made more or less their own. And one of the best shows I've seen them do was the one where they covered Prince's _Dirty Mind_ in its entirety.

Don't forget the Bangles. Seriously. Think "Hazy Shade of Winter," "How Is The Air Up There," "If She Knew What She Wants"...

Franklin Bruno has, more than a few times, memorably covered songs I wouldn't even have noticed were good by listening to the originals (Good Horsey's "Eleventy," for instance).

The New Pornographers have not yet recorded any of their covers, but I really hope they do, esp. since they have an ear for super-duper obscurities ("Throw Her Away and Get a New One," "Send Me a Postcard," "When I Was a Baby"...).

Peter Stampfel/the Holy Modal Rounders/the Du-Tels.

And I have to point out that the Beatles were a killer cover band in their early days--hooray for _Live at the BBC_.

― Douglas, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Cattle & Cane" is an unmuffable song. I think I might be partial to the Weddoes' version, actually.

My Holy Triumverate of musical performers (Ida, Jenny Toomey, Franklin Bruno) have been known to knock a few songs out of the park from time to time. Ida w/ Neil Young ("Everybody Knows"), the Secret Stars & Prince ("Uptown", especially live); Ms. Toomey & friends w/ My Dad Is Dead ("River's Edge"), the Roches ("Jill of all Trades" - oh, my), & the Mommyheads ("Needmore, PA"); Mr. Bruno & friends w/ the Mountain Goats ("Lab Rat Blues"), Good Horsey / Paul Szabo ("I Should Be With You"?), & the Go-Betweens (a SUPERB version of "Rock & Roll Friend" that is miles beyond the original, if you ask me).

Of course, there are more out there I can't think of right now.

― David Raposa, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You guys will probably disagree but I love the all covers record that the Wondermints did. Classick pop.

― helenfordsdale, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Rolling Stones, you know. The Cramps, who've always managed to perfectly crampify their covers. Mr Cave, though some might disagree. Joan fucking Jett! I'm in a kicking rockunroll mood, it would seem.

― Simon, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

the aislers set did super covers of "not too young to get married", joy division "walked in line", and 14 iced bears "balloon song". though the latest cover ive been obsessed with is bis "love will tear us apart".

― phil, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Major nod to Blancmange for being the only act ever to cover an ABBA song and improve on the original (The Day Before You Came).

I quite like some of Gene's covers too (Don't Let Me Down, Wasteland, The Ship Song etc.)

― Zanny Gognet, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh yeah - how about The Sisters of Mercy?

Jolene? Emma? Gimme Gimme Gimme? Knocking on Heaven's Door?

All very amusing.

― Zanny G, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

senor coconut.

― Daniel, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Top 10 covers artists: Enoch Light, Silicon Teens, Robert Wyatt, The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, BB King, Low, Bryan Ferry and - what the hell - Duran Duran.

― Jeff W, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I absolutely love the W.Present's version of Cattle & Cane, despite being a mad Go Betweens fan.

― N., Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Devo! "Satisfaction", "Secret Agent Man", "Are You Experienced", "Working in a Coal Mine", "It Takes A Worried Man". Missing link between Lee Dorsey and Slint?

― dave q, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i'll save pete the ridicule by suggesting Carter USM and then running away v fast. (Rent, Panic, This is How it Feels, Everybody's Happy Nowadays). i'd also go with Weddoes and Senor Coconut, though they are just a novelty band -- don't know about Senor Coconut tho >cymbal crash<

― Alan Trewartha, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

NRBQ.

― Colin Meeder, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Surely Snuff deserve a mention - they've done everything from The Bangles 'Hazy shade of winter' to the Shake'n'Vac and Bran Flakes ads (Tasty, tasty, very tasty!), and done them well. Other excellent punk covers: Leatherface doing 'Candle in the wind', China Drum doing 'Wuthering Heights' and Down by Law's version of The Proclaimers '500 miles'.

― Chris (Offbeat Sheffield), Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ah those hazy, innocent days when I thought the Bangles' version was the original too!

Speaking of 'Bran Flakes', anyone else remember that 80s group - Dolly Mixture was it? - that did that song and other covers of songs on ads? Yorkie, Smarties, etc.

― Jeff W, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

God novelty punk cover versions are a played out game.

― N., Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

has anyone said the wedding present yet? they ought've.

― , Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I quite like some of Gene's covers too (Don't Let Me Down, Wasteland, The Ship Song etc.)

I'm very happy for you.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Bangles also did 'September Gurls' when NOBODY was name-dropping Big Star. On a more current note, it seems like Detroit Cobras only do cover songs.

― Andy, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think the Replacements may have done September Gurls first. Come to think of it, the Mats did some pretty great covers. (Refer to The Shit Hits the Fans and The Only Ones' Another Girl, Another Planet.

Jimi Hendrix should also be mentioned for Hey Joe and ..Watchtower(and The Star Spangled Banner, I guess.

― Dave225, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

FIRST THE OBVIOUS: Devo, The Residents THEN, THE WORST: St. Etienne

― Gage-o, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You haven't lived unless you've heard Splodenessabounds cover version of Hawaii 5-0 (retitled Yarmouth 5-0)... I laughed solid for about 2 hours after hearing that.....

They were better known for the classic punk anthems 2 Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please and 2 Little Boys (another cover!)

― Baxter Wingnut, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Cat's Miaow. For not-so-subtly changing parts of every cover they do so they all sound like Cat's Miaow songs.

― electric sound of jim, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Cat Power!

― JM, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Bettie Serveert's VU cover album!

― nickn, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Cramps, who've always managed to perfectly crampify their covers.

damn right

― di, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Will I be smacked for adding Mary's Danish? I dig their version of Foxey Lady.

― rane, Wednesday, 16 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

snuff

oh, and wilson picket

― dbini, Thursday, 17 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Mary Lou Lord. No, really. She makes really unpalatable songs (Pete Droge, Elliott Smith, Daniel Johnston) sound quite nice.

― adam, Sunday, 20 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Before Murmur and Chronic Town REM did a slew of covers. Some known, some very obscure. They continued to throw covers in their live shows until mid 80's. A lot is available on the zillion REM bootlegs.

― Pump Wellington, Sunday, 20 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't remember liking any of Husker Du's original songs. In fact, I don't remember any of Husker Du's original songs, but I like their versions of: Eight Miles High, Ticket to Ride, and the Mary Tyler Moore theme. (Eight Miles High, I guess, is a bit obvious.)

― DeRayMi, Sunday, 20 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

ten months pass...

van halen!!!! duh.

― ray, Friday, 22 November 2002 20:28 (twenty-three years ago)

the (motherfucking) ventures!

helllloooo?

― gygax!, Friday, 22 November 2002 20:30 (twenty-three years ago)

"best bands at doing covers" = misplaced modifier

― Curtis Stephens, Friday, 22 November 2002 20:50 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm suprised The Fall hasn't been mentioned, but perhaps that because it doesn't matter if it is George Jones, The Kinks, Frank Zappa or Chic being covered, in the end it sounds like The Fall.

Mike Watt's bands have always kicked out some cool covers, especially live. The B.O.C. version of "Red and the Black" sounds so tame after seeing fIREHOSE do it a couple of times. The Minutemen's version of "Ain't Talkin About Love" is a classic.

― earlnash, Saturday, 23 November 2002 01:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Yo La Tengo do good covers.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Saturday, 23 November 2002 07:36 (twenty-three years ago)

dEUS, or rather tom barman chooses GREAT covers.

― nathalie (nathalie), Saturday, 23 November 2002 08:27 (twenty-three years ago)

oh i´m really upset but wheres FLYING LIZARDS!!!
money, sex machine well the entire top ten, summertime blues!!!

cat´s miaow did a wonderful version of CCRs Lodi

maybe my favorite cover of all Grace Jones doing She´s lost control.
she also covered Warm leatherette.

― Jens (brighter), Saturday, 23 November 2002 09:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I second earlnash's nomination of the Fall, not just for taking ownership of great songs, but also of making really shite things sound good - best example: I'm Going To Spain.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 23 November 2002 15:49 (twenty-three years ago)

as much as their originals leave me totally unimpressed, the Get Up Kids are a fine cover band. They seem to know which elements must be left in and what can be slightly changed so that the song remains pleasurable without being a total carbon copy. Their rarities album Eudora has some very nice Pixies, Bowie and Replacement covers. Bands that I wouldn't think could be pulled off very well.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 23 November 2002 18:23 (twenty-three years ago)

The Afghan Whigs for their covers of classic soul songs and Patty Smith's "Revenge".

Am interested in hearing Bettie Serveert's VU album...

― bert, Sunday, 24 November 2002 00:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Doh...~~Patty~~ -> Patti

― bert, Sunday, 24 November 2002 00:20 (twenty-three years ago)

don't forget Afghan Whigs also to great Clash, Skip Spence, Hole, and Ass Ponys covers too. They even did a bit of Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" when I saw them.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 24 November 2002 01:41 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

Revive!

I was thinking about this as I listened to John Cale's Paris 1919 which I first encountered because of Yo La Tengo's Fakebook. That album exposed me to so much when it first was out, cuz I'd never heard most of the groups covered back then.

― frankE (frankE), Monday, 26 July 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Spacemen 3!!!

― sexyDancer, Monday, 26 July 2004 20:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Melvins.

― sexyDancer, Monday, 26 July 2004 21:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Radiohead have done some interesting covers: "Nobody Does it Better", Can's 'The Thief', Blondie's 'Union City Blue', Tim Buckley's 'Sing a Song for You', 'Rhinestone Cowboy', etc. The Thief is probably the best of those

― Kevin H (Kevin H), Monday, 26 July 2004 21:18 (twenty-one years ago)

How can we stop Ben Gibbard from covering the songs we love?

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 26 July 2004 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

NEW WAVER!

Specialise in doing cheesy covers of songs, changing the lyrics to make them depressingly Australian, and using heaps of samples.

go here: http://www.spill-label.org/nw/ download everything you can, thank me later.

― Sasha (sgh), Monday, 26 July 2004 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

bad pop punk bands to thread

― Whiskeytown Littlecock (ex machina), Monday, 26 July 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

THIS MORTAL COIL

― The Dreaded Rear Admiral (Leee), Monday, 26 July 2004 23:34 (twenty-one years ago)

The White Stripes, especially when they cover Dylan
Neko Case, her covers are better than most of her songs
Mary Lou Lord, her version of Vincent Black Lightning 1952 is awesomeness

― Symplistic (shmuel), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 00:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I was thinking about starting a thread like this

― Symplistic (shmuel), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 00:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Jellyfish, as long as they were covering things written by Paul McCartney

oh, and Quiet Riot

― Joseph McCombs, Tuesday, 27 July 2004 01:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh,

Laibach!

― Sasha (sgh), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Galaxie 500 was already mentioned, but Dean Wareham released some great covers on Luna's albums and EPs, as well as on last year's L'Avventura, his project with Britta Phillips. "Moonshot" was one of my favorite songs this time last year.

― turkey (turkey), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 05:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Probly they were mentioned already, but it's near bedtime and I'm too lazy to check. Let's see now...covering Van Halen, Steely Dan, Steppenwolf, Richard Hell, CCR, Meat Puppets, Blue Oyster Cult, T.Rex, Roky Erickson and anybody I missed...Minutemen!

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 08:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Thin White Rope, covering some of my favourite artists like Lee Hazlewood, Gene Pitney, Dimitri Tiomkin, the Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Hawkwind, Johnny Cash, Can, The Stooges, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Suicide, the Velvet Underground and even Duke Ellington...

― Marco Damiani (Marco D.), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 08:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Metallica are now slouches when it comes to covers.

― M Carty (mj_c), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 08:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Nouvelle Vague
Xper.xr

― ___ (___), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 09:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Another vote for The Fall here.

Having said that, my two favourite covers are probably Schneider TM's The Light 3000 and Scanner's version of Eardrum Buzz.

― coco, Tuesday, 27 July 2004 09:23 (twenty-one years ago)

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