Covering: War Pigs

Black Sabbath's War Pigs isn't a sprint--it's a marathon. The sucker goes on for about 8 minutes, the equivalent of four Ramones songs. Still, it rocks so hard, you don't mind hanging on for the duration--unlike other long tunes that make you want to claw your eyes out to end the suffering (Hotel California, we're looking right at you). War Pigs kicks holy ass, which is why bands all over the genre map have taken it on.

First off, the Dresden Dolls, notorious for peppering shows with awesome, inspired covers.

Brian Viglione is one of the best drummers working today, and Amanda Palmer beats the living shiitake out of the piano, so while there's no guitars, bass, or Ozzy, it's still a pretty faithful (and awesome) version.

Next up, Cake's rendition:

This band's also known for fun covers, but I don't think this one's their best. If you want a tastier piece of Cake, look for their sendup of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive; it's flat-out awesome.

Finally, Hayseed Dixie gives it the bluegrass treatment:

Yee-haw! It don't get more rollickin' than that. If you like Hayseed, check out their AC/DC and other metal tunes.

Covering: I Heard it Through the Grapevine

Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, this Motown gem is among one of the most beloved (and most covered) songs in the past half century. Interestingly, Marvin Gaye's version (the one we probably know best) is itself a cover--Smokey Robinson's Miracles did it first. Since then, though, it's been performed by scores of other acts, including Gladys Knight and the Pips. Here's a few more people that tried their hand:

First off, here's Sarah Bettens (formerly lead of K's Choice, now a rockin' solo artist) with her rendition:
You have to get through a slightly hoky Gaye clip (and an editorial comment from an audience member) before the music starts, but her smooth, rich voice does the song justice.

Next, the Doug Anthony All-Stars, on the Australian show Big Gig:

No, I don't know what's up with the jackets, but don't these young gentleman just ooze enthusiasm and charisma?

Finally, Britain's very own train wreck, Amy Winehouse:

Entertainment Weekly's latest issue ran a pic of Ms. Winehouse leaving court for those pesky assault charges (she smacked a fan), and the soon-to-be-divorced gal looked clean, healthy and happy. I'm hopeful that she gets her shiitake together and makes more music than headlines from now on.

Covering: ABBA

For all their cheesiness, ABBA's really gone the distance. They've sold more records than the Beatles in many countries, including their home country of Sweden, inspired a movie, and had their music turned into a hugely successful musicial (which was then turned into a movie, featuring wince-inducing warbling by Pierce Brosnan). Their influence in current music is astonishingly broad--witness these covers of ABBA tunes.

First up: Beseech, a metal band that also hails from the Sveden, with their rendition of Gimme Gimme Gimme:



Slowed down and piled up with low-slung metal guitar stylings, the goth treatment almost conceals the disco silliness of the booty-call lyrics, but doesn't quite get there. Growling vocals aside, it's still undeniably ABBAesque.

Now we're gonna get Gother and goofier with ABBACadaver's Fernando:



It's awful, but that's not the point--the pitch-perfect sendup of a Goth video (uber-low production values, paler-than-death makeup) is seriously chuckle inducing, especially if you're familiar with artists from MTV's 120 Minutes days (or current artists like My Chemical Romance).

The Red Hot Chili Pepper's John Frusciante gives a sweet, funny S.O.S.:


Why don't the Chilis let this poor bastard sing more often? Seriously.

Let's wrap it up with Nina Hagen's tribute to the lesser-known Like an Angel Passing Through My Room. I think it speaks for itself, so I'll decline to comment...



...except to say I really want that f*ckin' wig.