'Punk Goes Classic Rock' -- Album Review

Here’s an unintentional album review.

Yesterday I was listening to I See Stars Phases. I always listen to music via Amazon Music Unlimited as I have a paid account, meaning I essentially have access to just about every song ever commercially released.

So on the right side of Amazon Music is a “suggestion” bar. When I was listening to I See Stars, another I See Stars album came up. I didn’t pay much attention as I own them all… except I didn’t recognize the cover. I looked closer and clicked and discovered Punk Goes Classic Rock by various artists.

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Some of the stuff was hilarious. There’s The Maine doing “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and Hit The Lights doing “More Than A Feeling.” Then there are some really good versions like blessthefall doing “Dream On” and Never Shout Never doing “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

I laughed all the way through “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Pierce The Veil. That song is nuts anyway and the PTV version is all sped up and screamy and just a hoot.

“Crazy Train” is just weird. The beginning of that song is perhaps one of the most iconic openings in all of metal and this version misses the mark. That said Forever The Sickest Kids singer Jonathan Cook has a good voice.  I will say I enjoy the outro and extra little metalcore touches to this version.

Mayday Parade do a great job with “We Are The Champions” – they stay pretty much true to the original. No one is ever going to come close to the original, so props to those who try.

And I bet you’re wondering what I See Stars contributed to this, aren’t you? They did a cover of “Your Love” which is also on Phases. There’s actually legitimate metalcore breakdowns in this version, meaning I See Stars tried to make the song their own at least.

Punk Goes Classic Rock was released in 2011 via Fearless Records.

Comments

[Metalboy!]

These Punk covers of Classic Rock tunes ARE indeed totally hilarious.

Punk bands have been covering iconic Classic Rock since the 70’s with The Dickies (The World’s Fastest Band) easily the kings of linking up some of the most sacred of songs simultaneously hilarious and kicka*s results.

I’ve mentioned many times over the years, their cover of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and perhaps the most stunning Punk transformation of a Classic song, “Nights In White Satin”, clocking in at a mere 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

As far as compilations go, check out “Punk Goes Metal” containing many horrible yet occasionally funny butcherizations of many of our favorites such as Poison’s “Talk Dirty To Me”, Crüe’s “Looks That Kill”, Priest’s “Breakin’ The Law” and so on.

Enjoy!

[Bryon]

I've always been a fan of punk covers as well. I love the humor of them, and the tongue-in-cheek approach. If a song can be satire, a lot of these covers definitely are.

The 'Punk Goes...' compilations are always good and one of my all time favorite's is Bigwig's cover of War Ensemble (Slayer), which is on Punk Goes Metal. The choruses and verses are pretty true to the original, but they then kick into swing/jazz mode for the solo which is just ridiculous, but somehow works - makes me laugh every time I hear it.

[Metalboy!]

Hear, hear, Bryon.

On a side flip, as I’m sure you’re familiar, given your comments, there’s also Paul Anka’s big band versions of classics such as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, Van Halen’s “Jump”, Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” and to even more hilarious effect, Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” off his 2005 Verve release of “Rock Swings”, giving the songs the full-on Swing Jazz Standards treatment.

Another corker presaging Anka by several years, is Pat Boone’s herendous yet hilarious 1997 album, “In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy”. Look, Pat Boone could never carry a tune to save his life and never does it become more apparent than on “In A Metal Mood”, where he performs total injustices to such ditties as Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and Van Halen’s “Panama”.

Trust me, he is such a horrible singer if it weren’t for the Big Band arrangements you might actually become nauseous listening to the stuff. We are talking wretched! Still, in the end, you can’t help but laugh your a*s off at how horrid his singing is!

\m/ ENJOY! \m/

[Bob]

One of my fave compillations like this came out in the early 90s. It's called something like "20 Explosive Super Dynamic Hit Explosions." the album title parodies all of those K-Tel hit collections from the 70s. The bands are mostly indie, and they cover pop hits from the 70s. that album features an, at the time, largely unknown Smashing Pumpkins doing "Jackie blue" by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. An interesting and fun collection if you can find it.

[Shawn]

@Bob I had not heard the name Ozark Mountain Daredevils in a long time.. I can't remember if it is Rudy Szarzo or Tommy Aldridge that had a hell of a time getting out of the dardevils compound over here in the hills..

[Metalboy!]

Got that one, Bob! It IS killer!

Also, man, just had to say, I finally had the chance to check out your “Best of 2018” list and your selections are absolutely KILLER! I added ‘em all to my various playlists, especially DOLL HAZARD and THE AMORETTES. In fact, I cannot stop playing those two, in particular! Consider them on my virtual mix tape permanently glued in my Metal spaceship forever!

p.s. Haha!! I would love to know THAT story, Shawn!

[Bob]

MB!, my friend, that is so cool that you know and have that explosions compilation. I remember buying that back around '93. My best buds and I used to play that thing to death. also, glad you dug my 2018 picks, but I can't take credit for the Amorettes. Looking back, it looks like our friend The Cheap seats recommended that one. I may be a booze hound and a world class stoner, but I am also a man of integrity damn it! :) Much love and good music to all of us here at BBG who turn each other on to great sounds.

[Metalboy!]

Doh! Haha!!, Bob!

You would think I’m “a booze hound and world class stoner” for getting confused on that but let’s just write it off to sheer lazy-a*s misconfabulatiion!

So, let me set the record straight (no pun intended) ...

Bob, thank YOU for DOLL HAZARD. I’ve been beating the h*ll out of that album since reading your list! Kinda reminds me of the Dead Boys and Thunders.

AND, thank YOU, Cheap Seats, for the Amorettes! Those chicks kick some serious a*s!!!

p.s. I am ALSO a man of integrity, Bob, fighting for Metal justice everywhere!