In The Trashcan
Records GEM026
"An international song contest for the perfect cover song
and the winner is: everyone who has bought these 45s..."
From a split-single with The Human Flies on Zombie Dance Records, released in 1994. This version is the trashiest I know. Inept girl garage outfit that is perfect for a song like this. Best cover version will always be the Cramps' 1986 release.
The trashiest, hardest, fiercest version ever of any Cramps song was recorded by Halo Of Flies, formed by Tom Hazelmyer, who also founded Amphetamine Reptile Records, home for noise rock bands such as Helmet, Boss Hog, Tar, Helios Creed, Melvins and even Cosmic Psychos. There are two releases, one on Forced Exposure and this yellow vinyl one on Powerfist from 1989.
The Lunachicks win this contest of best girl band version of "Get off the road". It's high octane garage punk from 1989, on a double-7" released by Blast First. These swinging chicks on motorbikes are the real Maneaters from the 80s. It was also released as a free flexidisc with The Catalogue.
An unexpected electronic version was recorded by Sonovac, a sister and a brother, Suzy Silver and Mike "Sonovac" Silver, in 1999 and released, like all their records, on the now defunct record label Output. Who wins? Halo Of Flies or Sonovac? Let's call it a draw.
A blistering instrumental version of Frankie Laine's classic. Their version was released on a splitsingle with The Vice Barons in 1994 on the Belgian record label Demolition Derby.
I love The Lust-O-Rama and they loved Back From The Grave. They were one of the finest 90s garage rock combos from Norway. Here they are with a splendid version of the Larry & The Blue Notes garage classic, which was originally entitled "Night of the sadist". A 1992 release on Twist Records.
In the 50s Charles Aznavour translated "Jezebel" into French. Canadian snotty garage punk quartet Les Incapables (what's in a name) add some Mummies trash sound and this is the result: a blistering version Frankie Laine would never approve. A 1997 release on Teen Sound Records from Italy.
The Miners Of Muzo from Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands changed "Night of the phantom" into "Night of the miner". Their version is faster and harder than the previous song. Also thanks to Crypt's compilation series "Back from the grave". A 1988 release by Eksakt Records from Tilburg.
I think you all agree that the best version is the original one by the Shadows Of Knight in 1966. Not to be confused with Sam Cooke's "Shake". This all-girl quartet from Philadelphia moved to New York a year after this 45 for Sympathy For The Record Industry. They did a nice effort with their garage pop. A 1993 release.
And yes, another change of song title: Night of the Square. They sound like a French version of Thee Mighty Caesars. Get Hip Recordings issued this EP in 1993. So we have Norway, Holland and France: the winner is Norway.
The Strange had no problem whatsoever to beat the Friggs' version from a year earlier. They walk the thin line between garage rock and mod beat. Was this the last release by this short-lived outfit that founded their own record label Grow Your Own Records? A third release followed on Detour Records.
Yes, even The Kids, Belgium's most wanted punk band, recorded Louie Louie in 1979. It's a split release with Jo Lemaire + Flouze, her debut (see vol 51).
I collect "Fever". That's why I needed this EP by Fuzzbox, formerly known as We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It. My copy came on red vinyl. A 1987 WEA release. See vol 40 fo their best track.
Who hasn't recorded Louie Louie? Every garage band has! Even Billy Childish managed to rape this calypso sea shanty. A Sympathy For The Record Industry release from 1995.
A strange 1976 glam rock version of "Fever" by an outfit that I think came from Holland. No winner here as it would probably end on spot 80 in my Fever Top 100 of all time.
This is the second Louie Louie version with Dutch lyrics. The first one was done by Joske Harry's in the early 60s. Walter Grootaers was the singer of De Kreuners, one of Belgium's best known bands singing in their own tongue. It's a 1993 B-side on Alora Music. There's no Louie Louie contest winner here as there are 1000s of versions existing and these aren't in the Top100.
