As most of you already know, I like to put up a new one of these compilations once every month, so the fact that we are now on Synic Selects Vol. XII means that this edition officially marks the one year anniversary of these compilation posts, and, more or less, the entire Synic Spins blog. What a fun year it's been. Since I just did a massive 2020 year-end reflection, I'll spare you the emotion-filled gooey crap. But I do just want to say another quick thank you to all of you readers, and all of the talented artists who have trusted me with reviewing their work for the public to see. It's truly humbling, and an incredible honor to be so warmly welcomed into the indie music community. Again, thank you.
A fun concept I had (not an ORIGINAL concept, but a fun one nonetheless) for this month's compilation is to just post a handful of my favorite covers by some of my personal favorite bands. But for the compilation marking my first anniversary, I had to give it a little something extra; something to set it apart from the rest. So to spare you from any further extra reading, after all everyone always skips the personal anecdotes at the beginning of online recipes, you probably skip these intros too, I give you Synic Selects Vol. XII - Working UnderCovers.
1. Soul Man - The Blues Brothers (Sam & Dave)
I have loved this song for a long time. I first fell in love with this song at a young age, and I was so naive back then I thought that The Blues Brothers were a real band, and not just a cover band from SNL skits. I discovered it on an old kids' show called Drake & Josh, where the title duo actually performs the song in a school talent show. When I first heard the same Sam & Dave, I thought it was in reference to the Van Halen frontmen, and certainly not a legendary blues duo.
2. Land Of Confusion - Disturbed (Genesis)
One of the many bands on here that most of you are expecting to see. Maybe you were expecting to see their more recent "Sound of Silence" cover? Nah. This one is it for me. "Land of Confusion" is in my personal list as one of the world's greatest songs of all time. A highlight from the Phil Collins era of Genesis, this track's legacy in my world of music was permanently slated when David Draiman and the guys put their spin on it. Imagine my jubilance upon seeing this performed live. A few times, actually; not that I'm bragging or anything.
3. Bad Company - Five Finger Death Punch (Bad Company)
This is one of the handful of songs that my sister showed me when I first got into 5FDP. It's one of their earlier covers, and remains to this day one of their best. It remains in my regular shuffle whenever I play my favorite Death Punch songs, and most definitely deserves a spot on this list.
4. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) - Judas Priest (Fleetwood Mac)
Probably my favorite Fleetwood Mac song, as long as it's not Fleetwood Mac performing it. I don't have much for emotional connection to this one, but I did see the metal gods play it live in concert, which was every bit as badass as you'd expect.
5. Pump It Up - Hurtsmile (Elvis Costello)
This song is one of many that I will point people to whenever I make the argument that Gary Cherone is one of the most underrated frontmen of the last 40 years. He did tremendous work with Extreme, successfully nailed Roth, Hagar, and his own material singing for Van Halen, and formed a handful of other groups in his days since. Here he covers Elvis Costello, and to say he nails it would be a criminal understatement.
6. Bad Romance - Halestorm (Lady GaGa)
Since their conception, Halestorm has been known to release a Covers EP in between every studio album release. With their wide array of covers, it was hard to pick just one. But since the guest post we did some weeks back about the new GaGa record, I've gained a newfound appreciation for the artist. To celebrate that, I went with Halestorm's cover of one of the Lady's best songs.
7. School Days - AC/DC (Chuck Berry)
AC/DC are definitely not known for their covers, since their first record in the early 70s they have stopped recording covers, so I had to really dig deep for this one. Obviously I picked the Chuck Berry one.
8. I Fought The Law - The Clash (The Crickets)
Again, no deep personal connection with this one. But it's always fun to drop the bomb on someone that a band's best song is actually a cover of someone else. Granted this may or may not be The Clash's best song, it's still one of them. And undeniably belongs on this list.
9. You Really Got Me - Van Halen (The Kinks)
Duh.
10. Mama Weer All Crazee Now - The Runaways (Slade)
There are so many versions of this song. More famously, it's one of the handful of songs that Quiet Riot ripped off of the better band Slade from the 70s. After about 600 line up changes, Quiet Riot is now a Quiet Riot cover band, who was basically a Slade cover band. Beside the point; I fucking love The Runaways.
11. Anarchy In The UK - Motley Crue - White Punks On Dope (The Sex Pistols The Tubes)
When people think of a cover by Motley Crue, 99/100 fans would come up with "Smokin' In The Boys Room" before they thought of this one. But there's no way in hell I was gonna put that on this list. I actually turmoiled with this one though, but it was actually between this one and the Crue's version of The Tubes' "White Punks On Dope." Actually, you know what? Fuck it I'm going with my gut here.
12. Dirty Laundry - Nickelback (Don Henley)
I'm gonna drop a hot take here, and it's not the obvious hot take that Nickelback is actually better than people are willing to admit, because everyone knows that already. The hot take is actually that Dirty Laundry is the best song that any of The Eagles ever came out with, either during their time in the band or solo. Only because Funk #49 by The James Gang doesn't count. Anyway, this cover is killer. I only wish they'd play it live more often.
13. Folsom Prison Blues - Budderside (Johnny Cash)
This one is brand new, actually. Released just this past Friday. Budderside recently revamped their identity with a fresh new line up and a serious overhaul to their sound. What put the band on my radar is their tremendous, powerful and infection energy when they're on stage. I saw them open for LA Guns a few years ago, and believe it or not I would argue that these guys could have stolen the show if they had more of the songs from the new album as part of their setlist back then. They did play "Folsom Prison Blues," however, and upon meeting the band they assured me that it would appear on their sophomore album. They did not disappoint.
Synic Selects Vol. XII - Working UnderCovers Disc 2: Joan Jett Edition
1. A.C.D.C. - The Sweet
2. Tulane - Chuck Berry
3. Androgynous - The Replacements
4. I Love Rock n Roll - The Arrows
5. Crimson And Clover - Tommy James And The Shondells
6. Everyday People - Sly and The Family Stone
7. Star Star - The Rolling Stones
8. You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore
9. Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
10. Roadrunner - The Modern Lovers
11. Light Of Day - Bruce Springsteen
12. Nag - The Halos
13. Bird Dog - The Everly Brothers
Synic Selects Vol. XII - Working UnderCovers
Disc 1
1. Soul Man - The Blues Brothers
2. Land Of Confusion - Disturbed
3. Bad Company - Five Finger Death Punch
4. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) - Judas Priest
5. Pump It Up - Hurtsmile
6. Bad Romance - Halestorm
7. School Days - AC/DC
8. I Fought The Law - The Clash
9. You Really Got Me - Van Halen
10. Mama Weer All Crazee Now - The Runaways
11. White Punks On Dope - Motley Crue
12. Dirty Laundry - Nickelback
13. Folsom Prison Blues - Budderside
Disc 2
1. A.C.D.C. - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
2. Tulane - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
3. Androgynous - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
4. I Love Rock n Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
5. Crimson And Clover - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
6. Everyday People - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
7. Star Star - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
8. You Don't Own Me - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
9. Rebel Rebel - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
10. Roadrunner - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
11. Light Of Day - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
12. Nag - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
13. Bird Dog - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
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