Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 25: Cover Me

Scarface, 1983’s Al Pacino cult classic, is really just a remake of the 1932 film of the same name. Think about that for a minute. When’s the last time you saw Paul Muni’s mug on a t-shirt?

I reckon what I’m getting at here is that sometimes a remake can be more influential (or at least as influential) as the original. Certainly, this isn’t always the case. Some remakes pale in comparison. While other beg the question why the hell do that again anyway?

But, within the realm of music, the remake, the cover, has always held a special place in my heart. This episode explores that love with the help of some nerdy artists and their reinterpretation of others’ material.

Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? You decide.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 25: Cover Me [hosting provided by Antisocial] Size: 37.2 MB Running Time: 40:41


Show Notes:


Intro: Baddd Spellah (feat. Beefy) – “Radio Free Hipster Theme”
Someone needs to cover this track. It’s my favorite.

Track 1: Able-X – “OutFox’d
There seems to have been some debate of late concerning Jesse Dangerously, his skills, and his attitude. Personally, I’ve got tons of respect for Jesse both as an artist and as a person.

Z’s 1st interlude: “ I’m a big fan of covers songs, parodies, reinterpretations of all sorts.”
Which should go without saying, but, y’know, I said it.

Track 2: Beefy – “Roommate From Hell”
In this track, Beefy plays the parts of both narrator (MC Lars) and roommate (mc chris). Please save your weight jokes for a later date.

Track 3: Ultraklystron – “Nerdcore For Life (feat. Beefy)
Covers are a big part of 2nd gen nerdcore hip-hop, and to hear Karl cover Beefy’s track is pretty entertaining in and of itself, but the quality of the cover and the participation of Beefy himself make it even more so.

Track 4: Shael Riley – “Bizarre Love Triangle (Peculiar Affection Isosceles)”
Shael has a ridiculous number of cover available, and I have yet to find one I don’t like.

Track 5: The Lonely Island – “Bing Bong Brothers
“And then I’ll show you my penis.”

Track 6: Switchblade Kittens – “I Fought My Mum”
Hearing the Kittens cover The Clash covering The Crickets may be too much for some people. I am not among those people.

Z’s 2nd interlude: “He thought I’d dig it, and I definitely, definitely do.”
I think the biggest perk surrounding doing this podcast is that folks often direct me toward tons of cool-ass music that I might otherwise miss. Thanks, and keep it up!

Track 7: Dread Zeppelin – “Whole Lotta Love”
Un-Led-Ed < 5,000,000 Tortelvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong. I’m just sayin’.

Track 8: The BossHoss – “Hey Ya!
Just so you know, “Country Trash Punk Rock” is their designation, not mine.

Track 9: Jesus H. Presley – “Doctor Rocks
Jesus H. Presley is surely in the running for best artist/group name ever!

Track 10: The NESkimos – “Double Dragon 2: Cutscene
I don’t recall ever playing Double Dragon 2. I can’t imagine it broke any new ground.

Track 11: Glenn Case – “Let’s Stay Together”
This classic track was going to be Glenn’s submission to my forthcoming compilation, but Glenn was nice enough to record an exclusive track just for me, and by request, no less!

Z’s final interlude: “The reasoning behind this particular ep. is the following announcement.”
Could y’all tell I was reading that announcement? My wife says everything I say on this podcast sounds scripted. It’s because I’m using my try not to sound like such of a goddamn hick voice. It's quite ineffective.

Track 12: Totally Radd! – “Runaway Train”
Totally Radd! have a new EP. They also have the greatest MySpace profile pic in the history of the world.

And there you have it, folks. Thanks for listening. I hope your appetite was properly whetted for the covers comp, and I hope you hit me up again this weekend to check it out. I honestly can’t thank the artists involved enough for contributing.

Nerdy musicians are good people. They’ll talk with you at shows and IM with you on MySpace and sometimes they’ll even let you use their songs for a poorly planned compilation album for your sub-standard blog. I am embiggened by the simple fact that they lower themselves to associate with me.

5 comments:

Church said...

Nice cast. How did I miss that Whomix? And I loved the bonus track.

Z. said...

I think JHP is new, Church. And I thought y'all might like to hear me and Li'l X. do some Ying Yang Twins. :)

funky49 said...

I can't describe the shear brilliance of The Lonely Island – “Bing Bong Brothers”

funky49 said...

Shael Riley makes an 1980's song bearable... that is also brilliant. mondo props, i need to listen to more of his stuff.

Dread Zep was mentioned to me in Oregon... and now here they appear like it was meant to be.

the NESkimos riffs sounded like they were out of one of the songs from the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack.

Z. said...

Ying Yang Twins are ripe for ridicule, and I think Lonely Island did a great job at it in that track. ;)

You'll get the chance to hear another Shael cover soon, Steve. Trust me.

I've been meaning to work more reggae and ska into the show, and I think DZ fits in nicely. As soon as I can find there second album I'll be sure to include some more.

And concerning NESkimos and JCS... your knowledge of musicals astounds and frightens me. :P