The A.V. Club - A.V. Undercover 2012

A.V. Undercover 2012: Watch the recap and vote

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Sure, there's an election coming up, and what better way to get some practice in than by voting for your favorite Undercover performances of 2012? It's not just A or B around here, though—you get to rank your top five, with your favorite getting five points, second place four points, etc. You get it. Voting will only be open for a week—closing Oct. 16, 2012. We'll post the results next week! Check out the recap, it's like the whole season in one digestible bite.

GWAR covers Kansas

Josh Modell — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It's the final Undercover session ever in the little round room—we're moving down the street soon—and what better way to send us off than with a bone-shaking performance by those beloved scumdogs of the universe in GWAR. The final song is "Carry On Wayward Son," the big ol' 1976 smash hit by Kansas that still lives a healthy life on classic-rock radio today. It was one of the first songs to make this year's list, and we couldn't have dreamed that it would be performed by huge, angry aliens. (And you wouldn't believe the bands that were attached to cover it at one point or another throughout the year...) We were of course delighted that GWAR would not only grace us with their presence, but also choose the little round room as the public debut of new lead guitarist Pustulus Maximus. We are ...

Field Report covers Sufjan Stevens

Josh Modell — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Field Report frontman Chris Porterfield cut his teeth in the band DeYarmond Edison, whose members have gone on to form Bon Iver (yup, Justin Vernon) and the slightly less massive Megafaun. Porterfield wasn't a songwriter in his old band, but he mustered up some tunes over the last few years and just released his new band's self-titled album. It's a fantastic, downbeat collection that Bon Iver fans should find something to love in. Though the record just came out, Field Report has already toured with Counting Crows and Aimee Mann, among others. The song they're covering is "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens, another lone troubadour who likes to bolster his live sound with lots of able musicians. Field Report added some aggression (just a little) and wiggly synth sounds for this rendition. Though it's airing second-to-last, the band didn't actually have a choice. (Long story ...

The Promise Ring covers Adele

Josh Modell — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Promise Ring formed in Milwaukee in the mid-'90s and quickly found itself at the center of a scene—emo—that it didn't really belong in. For a hot minute, the band was on fire, and 1997's Nothing Feels Good is widely (and rightfully) considered a classic. But as the genre moved toward teenage screamers, The Promise Ring leaned toward more contemplative pop, culminating with 2002's Wood/Water, a pretty and quiet record that didn't quite fit the fashion. After the band split in 2002, drummer Dan Didier and singer Davey von Bohlen went on to form Maritime, whose songs you've heard time and again as the intro/outro music for A.V. Undercover and Pop Pilgrims. (You've also seen Maritime on A.V. Undercover, performing Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence.") The Promise Ring reunited earlier this year and played some fiery ...

Calexico covers Kenny Loggins

Josh Modell — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Calexico is the only band that can claim its song was played on the last Space Shuttle mission: Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords dedicated the band's "Slowness" to her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly. It was just the latest in a long line of quiet accomplishments by the Arizona band, which stirs traditional Southwestern sounds with the mild side of indie-rock. Here, Calexico grabs hold of Kenny Loggins' classic of cheesy wonder, "Danger Zone." The track was actually written by disco kingpin Giorgio Moroder (with lyrics by Tom Whitlock), though Loggins made it his own via the soundtrack to Top Gun. Calexico adds some layers and removes some excess, pulling something pretty out of a very '80s pop song. Calexico's latest is the fantastic, solemn Algiers.

Jukebox The Ghost covers Lana Del Rey

Josh Modell — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500

There was some concern when making the 2012 Undercover list that Lana Del Rey would have slipped entirely from the public consciousness by the time someone performed her song "Blue Jeans." The world was all a-titter about her lifeless Saturday Night Live performance way back in January, with defenders and haters bravely stepping forward on the Internet to talk about it. But here we are, with her record having topped the charts in a bunch of countries and a supercharged re-release due later this year. Then there was the business of actually covering "Blue Jeans," a song that in its original form actually buries its own hook in atmosphere and attitude. But two-thirds of Brooklyn trio Jukebox The Ghost stripped Lana down even further, tackling most of the song with just voice and piano. It's plenty faithful, though, and might even give the Del Rey haters something to consider ...

Liturgy covers Shellac

The A.V. Staff — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500

We shouldn't have been surprised to be surprised by Liturgy. The "transcendental black-metal" duo creates massive, hypnotic sheets of sound informed by classical music as well as early black metal. We assumed that would mean the loudest Undercover yet, but Hunter Hunt-Hendrix informed us upon arrival that he wanted to perform Shellac's unstoppable "Prayer To God" a cappella. As you'll see, he builds the song up from scratch with vocal loops, creating something absolutely hypnotic. (And Shellac fans who were worried that a band would come in without an appreciation for the original shouldn't have been: Hunt-Hendrix says it's one of his favorite songs.) For some insight into Hunt-Hendrix's philosophy of metal, click to read his manifesto (of sorts). Or just check out Liturgy's Aesthetica, which came out last year on Thrill Jockey, or see the band live at the following shows, many ...

The Wood Brothers cover Michael Jackson

Josh Modell — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500

We've had such fine performances from other acoustic acts this year that it seemed like a safe bet to invite The Wood Brothers into the round room. The band--which features Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin & Wood--chose one of the toughest songs on the list, too: Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)." (Fun fact: "P.Y.T." was the sixth single from Thriller, an album that only has nine songs.) Instead of the full dance treatment, The Wood Brothers broke it down to guitar, bass, and "shit-tar," which is a guitar modified for use as a percussion instrument. There may also be cameos, so stick around. The Wood Brothers' latest album is Live Volume One: Sky High. Enjoy.

Ceremony covers Violent Femmes

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

When's the last time you gave the Violent Femmes self-titled 1983 album a listen? Its jittery, unstable songs hold up remarkably well--and not just the oft-covered soundtrack staple "Blister In The Sun." Here, the California-based punk band Ceremony offers up a faithful rendition of "Kiss Off," a.k.a. that one Femmes' song with the counting. Ceremony's latest album is Zoo; it's their first for Matador, and a continuation of the band's shift from punk-indebted to post-punk-indebted. Enjoy.

Deer Tick covers Harvey Danger

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Deer Tick has offered up raucous cover songs in the past, even transforming from time to time into Deervana, a rip-roaring Nirvana cover band. For his trip to the little round room, though, Deer Tick mainman John McCauley chose Harvey Danger's out-of-nowhere 1998 hit "Flagpole Sitta." That song's origin is pretty interesting: Released independently on Harvey Danger's debut album, the song exploded into the mainstream, appearing on dozens of TV shows and movies and even Now That's What I Call... compilations. Deer Tick adds a little dirt to the proceedings. Enjoy.

Mariachi El Bronx cover The Decemberists

Josh Modell — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

When the guys in the rollicking punk outfit The Bronx decided to stretch out musically, they didn't just add some new instruments or gradually shift styles: They created an alternate band and embraced Mariachi El Bronx, and immersed themselves in the traditional Mexican music. (Yes, they even wear charros.) Because they're so associated with their hometown of L.A., the band leaped at The Decemberists' "Los Angeles, I'm Yours," a funny little love letter to the city. Enjoy, and buenos dias.

Father John Misty covers The Flaming Lips

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

J. Tillman recorded a string of solid solo albums over the last half-decade, but he gained a measure of fame by drumming with Fleet Foxes for four years. Tillman played his last Fleet Foxes show earlier this year, though, stepping away in order to pursue a new songwriting path as Father John Misty. FJM's debut album, the grand Fear Fun, came out on Sub Pop in May--perhaps you saw the video starring Parks & Recreation's Aubrey Plaza? (If not, it's embedded below.) Considering the album's vibe, it made perfect sense that Tillman chose The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" for this installment of A.V. Undercover. Careful, you might get a little misty watching it.

Grouplove covers Andrew W.K.

Josh Modell — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Grouplove's fabulous summer jam "Tongue Tied" has been all over the place in the last few months, from an iPod Touch commercial to late-night TV to cars with windows rolled down. (If you haven't heard it and your musical tastes fall anywhere near the intersection of Arcade Fire and Mumford And Sons, it's well worth a listen.) We were delighted both that the sunny band chose Andrew W.K.'s party anthem "Party Hard" and that they brought some props. You'll see what I mean. Revel in the mellowness.

The Polyphonic Spree covers Neil Young

Josh Modell — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It had been quite a while since we'd heard anything from the Texas-based, Texas-sized group The Polyphonic Spree, but when a Chicago show was announced, we couldn't help but wonder how many of them would fit in the little round room. (Their ranks have swelled at times to 24 people.) When they chose Neil Young's 1972 "Heart Of Gold," we figured something special would happen, and that the robes would flow. We think you'll find this delightful performance enough to tide you over until the group releases a holiday album later this year. Meanwhile, cult--uh, band--leader Tim DeLaughter recently released a collaboration with Secret Machines' Philip Karnats under the name Preteen Zenith, which is well worth checking out. Enjoy this mega-cover of "Heart Of Gold."

The Hood Internet covers The Pretenders

Josh Modell — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The guys in The Hood Internet made their names mashing up indie-rock and hip-hop into brilliant, often hilarious combinations. (Check out the classic R. Kelly versus Broken Social Scene mix!) They've released six free mixtapes now, all available at their website. The latest includes such clever combos as Tyga Vs. Neon Indian and Whitney Houston Vs. Chromeo. The duo will release their first album of original productions this fall on Decon, and it includes contributions from Carl Newman, The Rosebuds, Psalm One, and lots more. So it made sense that they fleshed things out for Undercover: Stv Slv and ABX are joined by the ladies of Chicago band Coins as well as Dan Didier (of The Promise Ring and Maritime, both Undercover alums) on drums. We didn't expect a straight-up cover of The Pretenders classic "Back On The Chain Gang," and indeed we didn't get one. Instead ...

Reggie Watts covers Van Halen

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

If Reggie Watts can be counted on for anything, it’s taking a different approach. The comedian/musician or musician/comedian—let’s just say “ performer”—doesn’t do traditional stand-up comedy, so we knew that, when he came in to perform Van Halen’s “Panama,” we wouldn’t get an especially faithful version of it. The question was just how far afield he’d travel in our little round room. He didn’t disappoint: In Watts’ hands, “Panama” is actually an ode to the Central American country, helpfully dispelling some myths and explaining how its namesake canal works. He tells us his version comes from early demos of the song Van Halen recorded, and who can argue? The chorus is basically the same.

Check out Reggie Watts on the new Comedy Bang! Bang! series, debuting Friday, June 8 at 10 p.m. EDT on IFC. Watts' CD/DVD, A ...

Portland Cello Project and Alan Sparhawk of Low cover Suicidal Tendencies

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Portland Cello Project made its name mostly by covering reimagining hip-hop tracks for strings; the group even caught Jay-Z's attention with its cover of "H.A.M." (They're interviewed on Jigga's blog about it, even!) We thought it would be cheating for an instrumental group to participate in Undercover, though, so we helped PCP connect with Alan Sparhawk of Low, who's visited the round room twice before. The song they chose, "Institutionalized" by Suicidal Tendencies, is the song I was most excited about at the beginning of this year's Undercover. It's such a strange beast: a hardcore/thrash track whose verses are mostly spoken-word, and a painful personal story that's simultaneously pretty hilarious. It sounds incredibly dated, but in 1983, it sparked a lot of other bands (and got an incredible amount of MTV airplay, believe it or not). Sparhawk took the challenge ...

Hospitality covers Steely Dan

Josh Modell — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The latest in a long parade of Merge Records-affiliated bands to grace our round room, Hospitality comes to us (and you!) from Brooklyn, hot on the heels of their self-titled debut album. (We gave it an A-, and recommend it to you highly.) We caught them on their second of three Chicago stops in the space of just a couple of months; they've been winning hearts and minds while on tour with Wild Flag and Here We Go Magic, among others. I was a bit surprised to learn that this version of Steely Dan's 1974 classic "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was the first cover that Hospitality had ever attempted (of any song, not just a Steely Dan song!). I think they nailed it, adding a bit of Can/Neu/Stereolab-style chug and rubbing a bit of rock dirt on such a pristine original. Enjoy!

Screaming Females cover Sheryl Crow

Josh Modell — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Before you get upset, like you did at And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, you should know this: Screaming Females understood the rules of A.V. Undercover. We asked the New Jersey band if they wanted to participate and showed them the list of remaining songs. They politely declined, for the very good reason that they didn't think they could tackle any of them properly, having just started a tour. They did, however, offer up "If It Makes You Happy," which they'd already been playing live. Since we damn near included a Sheryl Crow song on the list this year, we figured it was fate, so here's this year's second bonus track. Enjoy it very much, please and thank you.

Nada Surf covers New Order

Josh Modell — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Nada Surf has had a spectacularly strange career. The band was launched into mainstream popularity in 1996 with a goofy radio hit, "Popular," that wasn't particularly representative of its sound. It took years for the group to earn its way into people's hearts, doing so with a series of fantastic, heartfelt pop records. The latest is The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, though if you're interested in hearing Nada Surf play covers (beyond the one you just watched), there's also the 12-song If I Had A Hi-Fi, which features the band's takes on songs by The Go-Betweens, Depeche Mode, and others. Here, they add a bit of human beatboxing to New Order's gentle classic "Bizarre Love Triangle." Oh, and Nada Surf launches another U.S. tour in June; dates are below. (Oh, and yes, that's Doug Gillard of Guided By Voices, a touring ...

Trampled By Turtles covers Arcade Fire

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Trampled By Turtles came to bluegrass music (and largely acoustic instruments) via rock bands, discovering along the way a love of more traditional music. The Duluth, Minnesota band just released its sixth album, Stars And Satellites, and it's clear--both musically and commercially--that things are really starting to cook. The band was on The Late Show With David Letterman recently, and of course now they've made their way to our little round room. (Which is more prestigious? You decide!) They graced us with this lovely version of Arcade Fire's "Rebellion (Lies)," complete with mandolin and violin bits. This ain't your daddy's Arcade Fire (or something). Enjoy.

Lucero covers David Bowie

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Rootsy rock band Lucero hails from Memphis, the capital of the Southern soul music that defined record labels like Stax and Hi Records. It's a sound that can't help but seep into the band's solid new album Women & Work, and it makes Lucero perhaps best suited to take on one of David Bowie's most soulful hits. With the song's energy, horns, and piano, "Modern Love" could almost pass for a cover of an old soul song, but no, it's a David Bowie original from 1983's Let's Dance. Lucero makes the song its own, especially when Rick Steff gets going on the keys.

Cursive and Cymbals Eat Guitars cover Gin Blossoms

Josh Modell — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

When Cursive stopped by the round room, very early in season one of A.V. Undercover, to destroy and reclaim Starship's cheese-rock anthem "We Built This City," you commenters reacted poorly. ("Why?" we all wondered aloud. "Do they think that song deserves some kid-gloves treatment?") Cymbals Eat Guitars came in later that year to sanctify and glorify Superchunk's "Detroit Has A Skyline." Since we're big fans of both bands but also big fans of not having the same bands in here over and over (Wye Oak excepted), we asked Cursive and Cymbals Eat Guitars to form a one-off supergroup, and they accepted the challenge. The newly monikered Cursive Eats Guitars tackled the early-'90s smash hit "Hey Jealousy," by Gin Blossoms. We're still not sure if this is a good song or just a catchy song, but either way we think you'll enjoy this very ...

The Head & The Heart cover Fleetwood Mac

Josh Modell — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Seattle band The Head & The Heart blew up in a hurry; one minute they're playing our favorite cozy Chicago venue, Schubas, the next they're headlining two nights at The Vic. (And we're told they're playing Lollapalooza this year as well, but that won't be announced until tomorrow, along with the rest of the lineup, so keep it under your hat.) Anyway, we convinced them to drop by the round room while they were in Chicago recently, and they told us they wanted to cover the Arcade Fire song that's on the list. And then they changed their minds--their prerogative--and delivered us this smashing version of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," from that band's classic Rumours. We think it's safe to assume that the members of The Head & The Heart are not going through any Buckingham-Nicks style drama at the moment ...

Punch Brothers cover The Cars

Josh Modell — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Punch Brothers were kind of a natural choice for A.V. Undercover, since the modern bluegrass-influenced band has made cover songs a part of its repertoire for years. (You might recognize chief Brother Chris Thile from his time in Nickel Creek, another band known for innovative cover versions.) For their jaunt in the little round room, Punch Brothers decided to tackle The Cars' 1978 hit "Just What I Needed." We think you'll find it delightful, and perhaps it will lead you to the Punch Brothers' equally delightful new album, Who's Feeling Young Now?

Memoryhouse covers The Police

The A.V. Club Staff — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Young Canadian duo Memoryhouse--a three-piece for touring purposes--stopped by the round room to play us a song that's actually considerably older than they are: The Police's 1981 hit "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," one of a trio of big singles from the band's Ghost In The Machine album. There's a bit of gender swapping here, and Memoryhouse's Evan Abeele points out that it's kind of a "manic pixie dream girl" thing to do. (We're pretty sure he meant that in a very positive way.) Memoryhouse's excellent debut album, The Slideshow Effect, was released by Sub Pop earlier this year. Check it out!

Young The Giant covers “Ignition (Remix)”

Josh Modell — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It’s always a pleasant surprise when bands bring something extra to the little round room. California band Young The Giant, inspired by the video for R. Kelly’s modern classic “Ignition (Remix),” showed up to our office with a pile of rented fur coats—all the better to funnel Kells’ spirit. We think you’ll find this rendition fun and sweaty.

Fun fact: “Ignition (Remix)” really isn’t a remix of “Ignition” at all. “Ignition” is a completely separate song, with its own melody and lyrics. It does share some thematic elements and a fondness for a particular sexual metaphor. Enjoy!

Sharon Van Etten and Shearwater cover “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”

Josh Modell — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

You might notice, astute readers, that Stevie Nicks’ duet with Tom Petty, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” was not actually on this year’s list. The song was on an early version of the list, which went out to tourmates Sharon Van Etten and Shearwater. I suggested they do this song, and they agreed—and then scheduling proved too difficult. Since our dream team couldn’t do it, I pulled it from the list. And then, by magic or fate, they were able to squeeze us in. So, as with last year’s Undercover debut (Iron & Wine’s version of George Michael’s “One More Try”), we’re kicking things off with a bonus track. You got lucky, babes.

This song, written by Tom Petty but supposedly shitcanned for several years for having too feminine a lyric, was a massive hit for Stevie Nicks in 1981. It caught Petty and ...