Five Punk Rock Covers to Rock Out To | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Five Punk Rock Covers to Rock Out To

Five of the best punk rock covers for your listening pleasure.

138
Five Punk Rock Covers to Rock Out To
Pixabay

Good punk rock cover songs are few and far between. The varied sounds of genres such as country, R&B, and synthpop do not frequently translate to the abrasive, speedy sounds of punk. However, there are some artists who manage to find songs that fit within their wheelhouse and produce something catchy and listenable. Here are five punk rock cover songs that actually rock.

1. "Take Me to the River" - The Gizmos

Punk rock and Al Green seems like an almost sacrilegious combination, but Indiana-based outfit The Gizmos somehow pull it off. Their riff on this R&B classic is as much indebted to the Talking Heads' cover as it is to the original. There are traces of the funky beat of Green's original and the wailing David Byrne vocals of the Talking Heads version. The Gizmos add in their own flair, too, stripping down the instrumental to its barest essentials, which produces a hard-rocking song that stands on its own against two excellent predecessors.

2. "99 Red Balloons" - 7 Seconds

Nevada-based group 7 Seconds leans into more melodic territory on most of their songs, and so it comes as little surprise that they can pull off a successful cover of the 1980's synthpop classic. The clapping percussion track in the latter half of the song adds a strange poppy twist to the proceedings. Nena would surely be proud.

3. "Scumf*c Tradition" - GG Allin

Infamous shock rocker GG Allin is best known for his tasteless, offensive songs and his chaotic, disgusting concert performances. However, Allin was also a noted country enthusiast. It is fitting then, that he would adapt the Hank Williams Jr. classic "Family Tradition" into the profane cover "Scumf*c Tradition". This version of the song reworks the lyrics of the original into an expletive-laden celebration of hard living. This song almost makes more sense coming from someone like Allin than it does from Williams, as Allin was a notorious drug addict who reveled in all manner of debauchery. Another Allin staple, poor recording quality, adds an extra layer of grainy, low-fi rawness that effectively sells the lyrics.

4. "California Sun" - The Ramones

The Ramones were no strangers to performing covers, as most of their albums feature at least one cover song. Their best cover by far is "California Sun", a summery ditty from the 1960s. The Ramones's sound was inspired by pop-rock and girl groups of the 1960s, so this song is right up their alley. This version swaps out the original's endearingly dinky keyboard riff with a bold sunbeam of guitar. The Ramones somehow manage to make a great beach song even greater, one that never fails to get me pumped for the summer.

5. "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" - Fear

Fear's cover of the 1965 Animals hit is arguably the strangest cover on the list. It sounds almost nothing like the original, swapping a smooth bass line and haunting vocals for frenetically springy guitars and Lee Ving's aggressive sneer. Gone is the rollicking chorus of the original, in favor of a panicked shout. The Animals may have been encouraging the listener to get out of this place, but Fear is urging, almost commanding us to get out. The mellow 1960s had given way to the uptight, paranoid 1980s and Fear wants us to know it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180410
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7426
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452600
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23344
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments