Tune du Jour: “Blister in the Sun” – Violent Femmes
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Crummy Stuff vs. Amanda Palmer & Friends vs. Stiff Standing
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!
Read it in the Sunday Papers …
A Norwegian heavy metal singer best known for grunting lyrics about murder and mayhem has been elected town councillor of an Oslo suburb – against his will. Gylve Nagell of the group Darkthrone, agreed to run for election in Kolbotn as a favor to officials who needed to bulk up the list of candidates. To deter any would-be supporters, the heavily tattooed Nagell put out a campaign poster that featured him saying, “Don’t vote for me.” But voters did just that, and now Nagell must serve four years as a councillor. “I’m a pillar of my community,” Nagell sighs. “I’m not too pleased about. It’s boring.”
The Original
Violent Femmes:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Crummy Stuff vs. Amanda Palmer & Guests vs. Stiff Standing
Crummy Stuff:
Amanda Palmer & Guests:
Stiff Standing:
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 
My all-time favorite Blister in the Sun memory is playing the song on a kazoo in the back of the Winston & Sons van while rolling down the Florida Turnpike on the way to Disneyworld from Gainesville, with Dubbsy in the driver seat trying with all his might to steady the vehicle and keep it upright and on the road. That January 1982 trip was legendary. I first met Frankie and Rosey that day. Still one of the most enjoyable road trips of my life. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Disney folks still had pictures of us posted at all park entries, with explicit “Keep Out” instructions. Fortunately, I have a bit more grey hair than I did then. So they may not recognize me.
All three versions are great in their own way. I voted Amanda Palmer simply because of all the fun everyone there seemed to be having. I wish I lived next door to Amanda Palmer.
I voted Amanda Palmer for the loose assembly and the spontaneous joy. Then I watched her do Smells Like Teen Spirit and she’s so enthused because she is going to meet Dave Growl in five days and show him their “spirited” cover. Also liked Crummy Stuff but I thought Stiff Standing fell flat.
I kinda liked all three versions, but in the end, I gave it to Stiff Standing. It was interestingly different, although the vocals were very cliche collegiate. Still.
The Amanda Palmer version was a lot of fun to watch. Fun times.
I have a similar memory of that song, like Dougie. We were all on the highway heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and I was in the back of the RV with Kathy Messer. The song was playing, and we were singing along. Eugene Way was enjoying it. Then the quiet part came, and she and I ducked our heads and stayed out of sight while Gordon Gano was singing very quietly. Then, as the chorus rolled around, she and I popped our heads up simultaneously and sang “Let me go onnnn”, perfectly timed. Eugene laughed hysterically. Ah, those were the days.
I was driving that RV!