Tune du Jour: “Smash it Up” – The Damned
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Balzac vs. Die Toten Hosen vs. The Offspring
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!
“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.”
Emma Goldman
The Original
The Damned:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Balzac vs. Die Toten Hosen vs. The Offspring
Balzac:
Die Toten Hosen:
The Offspring:
S
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On?!!?
cover me impressed 
Three good version of a cool song. Balzac’s version is a bit too long and vocals are lacking a little. I’ve always really enjoyed the Offspring, and their version is excellent. But I’m going with Die Toten Hosen because I think there is a certain amount of joy that should be reflected in this song, which they capture perfectly. Maybe it’s the keyboard. I also like their vocals the best. I just wish the first, quieter part of the song had been included. It sounds to me like it really was there, but got edited out this presentation.
By the way, for those English speakers who want to pronounce the name of this band correctly, it would be phonetically “Dee Toe-ten Hoe-zen”.
I share the same sentiments, pretty much, as Cuspid. Balzac deliver a brutal, crunchy version, but the song has a cool melody and Balzac’s vocals are awful. Die Toten Hosen, with their carnival-like keyboards, give a great version. However, I’ve been very familiar with the Offspring’s version of the song. I really like the Offspring and I’ve loved this version for years. Die Toten Hosen did not eclipse it, unfortunately. The Damned are a strange band. They’re still making music. The song Neat Neat Neat is credited as being the first “punk” song, for whatever that’s worth.
I think Balzac had the best opening. The instrumentation and production were right. The second part of the song was a big disappointment. Agreed with Arn and Zane that it was too long and poor vocally. The Offspring played the whole song more than capably but it sounded safe. Muted production lessened the excitement necessary to drive this car into the wall. Die Toten Hosen understood some degree of recklessness was key. I did miss the first half. The segue helps make the song.
Balzac had it … until they opened their mouths. Die Toten Hosen takes it. Their vocals and overall production were a bit better than The Offspring.