"Kansas was a big part of a big part of music where bands were often named after geographical locations."
October 2, 2012 12:26 PM Subscribe
GWAR covers KANSAS. Yes, you read that right.
The Onion A.V. Club's "Undercover" project (previously) brings us the greatest last-musical-performance-in-that-particular-space ever.
The Onion A.V. Club's "Undercover" project (previously) brings us the greatest last-musical-performance-in-that-particular-space ever.
This is great. Dirtying up the guitar parts does the song a lot of good.
posted by Space Coyote at 12:33 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Space Coyote at 12:33 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
Not fooled by the pre-song patter. They totally watch Supernatural on the tour bus.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 12:34 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 12:34 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
Bonus Link: GWAR on JOAN.
GWAR is more than a way of life, it's a way of life, too.
posted by Eideteker at 12:37 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
GWAR is more than a way of life, it's a way of life, too.
posted by Eideteker at 12:37 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
To steal a line from Voltaire: if GWAR did not exist, it would be necessary to invent them.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:38 PM on October 2, 2012 [15 favorites]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:38 PM on October 2, 2012 [15 favorites]
I love that band so much.
posted by starvingartist at 12:41 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by starvingartist at 12:41 PM on October 2, 2012
"My life is now complete."
When I saw this on facebook, I said that the Universe was now complete. This is clearly its ultimate and utmost reason for being. Having accomplished this, we can turn off the lights and all go home. To Oblivion.
posted by Eideteker at 12:42 PM on October 2, 2012
When I saw this on facebook, I said that the Universe was now complete. This is clearly its ultimate and utmost reason for being. Having accomplished this, we can turn off the lights and all go home. To Oblivion.
posted by Eideteker at 12:42 PM on October 2, 2012
A friend of mine was smashed over the head with a bottle by a member of GWAR.
posted by stbalbach at 12:43 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by stbalbach at 12:43 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wow some of these covers are crazy awesome: Fruit Bats cover Hall & Oates; Jukebox the Ghost covers Lana Del Ray; Trampled By Turtles covers Arcade Fire.
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:46 PM on October 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:46 PM on October 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
October 2, 2012
Tormented Soul of G. G. Allin
8th Circle
Hell, Hell
Dear Mr. Allin's Tormented Soul,
This is how one does "satirical art rock."
Yours,
Todd Lokken
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:48 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
Tormented Soul of G. G. Allin
8th Circle
Hell, Hell
Dear Mr. Allin's Tormented Soul,
This is how one does "satirical art rock."
Yours,
Todd Lokken
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:48 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
You know, I really thought that by adding "see GWAR cover Kansas" to my bucket list that it meant I could be sure I was gonna live forever damn it.
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:48 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:48 PM on October 2, 2012 [5 favorites]
I'm disappointed it wasn't a cover of Dust in the Wind.
posted by dortmunder at 12:56 PM on October 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by dortmunder at 12:56 PM on October 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
A friend of mine was very connected in the punk scene in Cleveland during the 80s and 90s. One year he was having a Halloween party at his house, and one of his friends mentioned that GWAR was playing in town that night, and could they maybe come by after the show? Of course my friend said HELL YES!, so the GWAR crew showed up (sans makeup) and got wasted. He said he remembers Slymenstra Hymen (a former female member of the band) kneeling over his toilet, obviously miserable, and when he went to check on her, the exchange went something like this:
"Sean?"
"Yes?"
"Would you do be a really big favor?"
"Sure, anything." (thinking she would want some water or something)
"Can I have another bottle of whiskey?"
...
"Yes you can, Slymenstra!"
posted by starvingartist at 12:57 PM on October 2, 2012 [9 favorites]
"Sean?"
"Yes?"
"Would you do be a really big favor?"
"Sure, anything." (thinking she would want some water or something)
"Can I have another bottle of whiskey?"
...
"Yes you can, Slymenstra!"
posted by starvingartist at 12:57 PM on October 2, 2012 [9 favorites]
Lots of songs on the AV Club Undercover have been pretty great, it's worth poking around in for an afternoon.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:00 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by Chrysostom at 1:00 PM on October 2, 2012
GWAR covers KANSAS.
In gory monster-effluvia?
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:00 PM on October 2, 2012 [10 favorites]
In gory monster-effluvia?
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:00 PM on October 2, 2012 [10 favorites]
I honestly have not stopped listening to this since I first played it.
"I'm disappointed it wasn't a cover of Dust in the Wind."
You have to go to the live show for that.
"In gory monster-effluvia?"
Kerry Livgren could not be reached for comment.
posted by Eideteker at 1:05 PM on October 2, 2012
"I'm disappointed it wasn't a cover of Dust in the Wind."
You have to go to the live show for that.
"In gory monster-effluvia?"
Kerry Livgren could not be reached for comment.
posted by Eideteker at 1:05 PM on October 2, 2012
"Kansas was a big part of a big part of music where bands were often named after geographical locations."
Chicago is considered the originator of the trend, but it must be noted the band's original name was "Chicago Transit Authority", which they had to change for whatever reason (people were confusing the venues of their concerts for subway stations?), but if allowed to stand, might have begun a trend of bands named after public agencies. (Please note that Pacific Gas & Electric would NOT qualify since it is a privately-owned utility company).
Still, the decline of that trend into absurdity should be the responsibility of America (still not clear whether it was named after the country or the pair of continents), and the continent-named bands Asia and Europe unceremoniously ended that trend. (Although you know a band that tried to name itself Australia would be killed by an angry mob in any Aussie community)
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:19 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Chicago is considered the originator of the trend, but it must be noted the band's original name was "Chicago Transit Authority", which they had to change for whatever reason (people were confusing the venues of their concerts for subway stations?), but if allowed to stand, might have begun a trend of bands named after public agencies. (Please note that Pacific Gas & Electric would NOT qualify since it is a privately-owned utility company).
Still, the decline of that trend into absurdity should be the responsibility of America (still not clear whether it was named after the country or the pair of continents), and the continent-named bands Asia and Europe unceremoniously ended that trend. (Although you know a band that tried to name itself Australia would be killed by an angry mob in any Aussie community)
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:19 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
A lot of Undercover acts come in and sort of half-ass it with a song they don't particularly care about (or, worse, drag the shit out of it), and I was nervous that GWAR was going to just fuck around right up until the guitar started and they just nailed it.
My recommendations from the 3rd season, which was very strong compared to the first two:
The Promise Ring - Rumour Has It
Grouplove - Party Hard (who did slow it way down but still kept the energy fairly high)
Chris Otepka - In the Summertime (the Roger Miller song, not Mungo Jerry)
Young the Giant - Igntion (Remix) (already posted by Kattullus, but it hasn't gotten any less fun since March, so whatever.
Plus the two excellent bluegrass covers: Punch Brothers - Just What I Needed and The Wood Brothers - PYT
posted by Copronymus at 1:28 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
My recommendations from the 3rd season, which was very strong compared to the first two:
The Promise Ring - Rumour Has It
Grouplove - Party Hard (who did slow it way down but still kept the energy fairly high)
Chris Otepka - In the Summertime (the Roger Miller song, not Mungo Jerry)
Young the Giant - Igntion (Remix) (already posted by Kattullus, but it hasn't gotten any less fun since March, so whatever.
Plus the two excellent bluegrass covers: Punch Brothers - Just What I Needed and The Wood Brothers - PYT
posted by Copronymus at 1:28 PM on October 2, 2012 [4 favorites]
Nobody's picked Shellac's "Prayer to God" yet? Kids these days have no taste.
posted by koeselitz at 1:29 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by koeselitz at 1:29 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
(Also, it is exceedingly difficult to get this video to play.)
posted by koeselitz at 1:32 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by koeselitz at 1:32 PM on October 2, 2012
Yeah, this is awesome and that Promise Ring version of Adele is pretty amazing too. I remember liking the Hall and Oates cover and The Cars cover earlier in the season, too.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:50 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:50 PM on October 2, 2012
I can't favorite this hard enough. Thank you Eideteker it made my day.
posted by Argyle at 1:51 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by Argyle at 1:51 PM on October 2, 2012
Sheer brilliance
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:07 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:07 PM on October 2, 2012
This (conceptually) reminds me of Camper Van Beethoven's 2002 covering Fleetwood Mac's TUSK in its entirety.
posted by aught at 2:13 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by aught at 2:13 PM on October 2, 2012
Excelsior!
posted by From Bklyn at 2:15 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by From Bklyn at 2:15 PM on October 2, 2012
Sweet. Hey, I was going to mention their cover of School's Out!
posted by zzazazz at 2:17 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by zzazazz at 2:17 PM on October 2, 2012
I favorited this before I even listened to it. The concept alone is awesome, and the execution did not disappoint.
posted by mysterpigg at 2:18 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by mysterpigg at 2:18 PM on October 2, 2012
I love what I've heard from the Fruit Bats (here and elsewhere) but DAMN do I want to tackle the singer and force him to wash his greasy glasses. Maybe it's just the way the light hit them but I can't stand it when mine are slimy, how does he even deal with that.
posted by caution live frogs at 2:24 PM on October 2, 2012
posted by caution live frogs at 2:24 PM on October 2, 2012
Still, the decline of that trend into absurdity should be the responsibility of America (still not clear whether it was named after the country or the pair of continents), and the continent-named bands Asia and Europe unceremoniously ended that trend.
Pantera, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, Portishead, and Sleater-Kinney are keeping the dream alive.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:39 PM on October 2, 2012
Pantera, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, Portishead, and Sleater-Kinney are keeping the dream alive.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:39 PM on October 2, 2012
This is certainly a fun version for the lulz. But for my money, hearing the original lineup of Hammers Of Misfortune (unrelated Freebird cover) do the song during soundcheck during their first run of shows outside of the Bay Area wins the best COMWS cover award. No known audio that I am aware of exists, I get the feeling it was just a goof-off tune they jumped into to get the levels right. But for the 7 of us there who were utterly in love with their first album, we were freaking out.
Somewhat amusingly, guitarist John Cobett of Hammers Of Misfortune was an early.. EARLY member of GWAR for a very brief period.
posted by mediocre at 3:04 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Somewhat amusingly, guitarist John Cobett of Hammers Of Misfortune was an early.. EARLY member of GWAR for a very brief period.
posted by mediocre at 3:04 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Eideteker: When I saw this on facebook, I said that the Universe was now complete. This is clearly its ultimate and utmost reason for being. Having accomplished this, we can turn off the lights and all go home. To Oblivion.
But Skyrim has better graphics!
posted by Malor at 3:22 PM on October 2, 2012
But Skyrim has better graphics!
posted by Malor at 3:22 PM on October 2, 2012
an ironic cover in this day and/or age.
I think ironic might be the wrong word. This lives closer to an insulting (to the original song) cover.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:35 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think ironic might be the wrong word. This lives closer to an insulting (to the original song) cover.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:35 PM on October 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Despite the stated disavowal of geographic rock, the actual guitar riffs are loving tributes.
posted by ovvl at 5:43 PM on October 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by ovvl at 5:43 PM on October 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
GWAR covers Kansas. Clean-up efforts are expected to take several months...
posted by ShutterBun at 6:46 PM on October 2, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by ShutterBun at 6:46 PM on October 2, 2012 [7 favorites]
So - in my high school days I had friends that were into GWAR or at least in my circle of friends, but I never really got into them (surprisingly considering I was totally into that whole skulls and shit thing)...
So this is really the first time I think I've heard them, and they were much better than I expected.
Heh - my friend's band opened for them during the Chicago Riot fest this year (yes, I didn't go - I'm a bad friend)
Anyways, besides their clear talent (well, not too sure about that singer), my first thought was "Man, the devs at Blizzard need to totally make a custom armor set based upon the GWAR costumes. Those would be sweet." I'm surprised that the Elite Tauren Chieftain didn't have some insane wicked awesome costumes/gear like that and that it would be something you could get as some reward...
posted by symbioid at 9:15 PM on October 2, 2012
So this is really the first time I think I've heard them, and they were much better than I expected.
Heh - my friend's band opened for them during the Chicago Riot fest this year (yes, I didn't go - I'm a bad friend)
Anyways, besides their clear talent (well, not too sure about that singer), my first thought was "Man, the devs at Blizzard need to totally make a custom armor set based upon the GWAR costumes. Those would be sweet." I'm surprised that the Elite Tauren Chieftain didn't have some insane wicked awesome costumes/gear like that and that it would be something you could get as some reward...
posted by symbioid at 9:15 PM on October 2, 2012
I'm not sure anyone really likes Gwar,
But this was amusing.
posted by Mezentian at 3:02 AM on October 3, 2012
But this was amusing.
posted by Mezentian at 3:02 AM on October 3, 2012
I love this, and I love that thanks to this series I now also know that The Promise Ring has reunited, which makes me all-day happy. I wore the bits out of my Wood/Water CD.
posted by 1adam12 at 5:13 AM on October 3, 2012
posted by 1adam12 at 5:13 AM on October 3, 2012
koeselitz: "Nobody's picked Shellac's "Prayer to God" yet? Kids these days have no taste."
Liturgy covers it acapella, with vocal loops, vaguely chantlike. It's an interesting interpretation, but doesn't convey the requisite rage of the original.
posted by namewithoutwords at 5:30 AM on October 3, 2012
Liturgy covers it acapella, with vocal loops, vaguely chantlike. It's an interesting interpretation, but doesn't convey the requisite rage of the original.
posted by namewithoutwords at 5:30 AM on October 3, 2012
Lots of songs on the AV Club Undercover have been pretty great, it's worth poking around in for an afternoon.
I still love the They Might Be Giants cover of "Tubthumping." I think it was a FPP when it happened in here but I skipped straight to the song; I just played it again and heard them say that they picked it "because it actually seems like a They MIght Be Giants song already". And you know, they're right.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:37 AM on October 3, 2012
I still love the They Might Be Giants cover of "Tubthumping." I think it was a FPP when it happened in here but I skipped straight to the song; I just played it again and heard them say that they picked it "because it actually seems like a They MIght Be Giants song already". And you know, they're right.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:37 AM on October 3, 2012
Jim Lehrer should show this at the debate tonight and ask each candidate for a response.
posted by homunculus at 1:19 PM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 1:19 PM on October 3, 2012 [1 favorite]
I quite liked the Sharon Van Etten / Shearwater duet. It's nicely loose and jangly, and I like Sharon Van Etten. Gwar was neat too though.
posted by Diablevert at 7:43 PM on October 4, 2012
posted by Diablevert at 7:43 PM on October 4, 2012
Still the best way to start off the work day.
SHEER BRILLIANCE!
posted by Eideteker at 5:55 AM on October 9, 2012
SHEER BRILLIANCE!
posted by Eideteker at 5:55 AM on October 9, 2012
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