Vinyl is for lovers
The Weakerthans doing something they don’t often seem to do: a cover song!
This song is taken from a short compilation 7″ put out by No Idea Records and AK Press, a collective that publishes “radical” books. The Read Army Faction was a fundraiser for the publisher and features songs from a CD fundraiser called Return of the Read Menace. However, I’ve never seen that compilation and I’m not convinced it actually exists, so I’m qualifying this as a vinyl-only release.
Anyhow, the 7″ features some really great cuts from some extremely great bands. All four turn in cover songs, and perrenial favourites of mine Hot Water Music and Discount prove very satisfying. Avail’s take on a classic Elvis/Waylon Jennings/Gary Glitter/Dionne Warwick’s sister/Fine Young Cannibals/Dwight Yoakam/Pete Yorn track is also a treat.
But cover songs aren’t something the Weakerthans are known for. I’ve seen them six or eight times and as far as I know, they’ve played maybe one cover and I can’t even think of what that song would’ve been. Maybe they never have (if you don’t count that Propagandhi song that isn’t really but kind of is a cover from the first LP). So as far as I know this is the only cover of theirs that’s ever been officially released (aside from a Rheostatics song contained in a digital live set, but digital doesn’t count). The original is by Vietnam War-era protest singer Phil Ochs. It is pretty okay. The cover is as well and it definitely sound like early Weakerthans.
Enjoy!
The single can be purchased from No Idea’s site and it’s worthwhile. Plus, it’s green!
Other Weakerthans material is available through Maple Music but that site is kind of shitty. Cinder Block is better and has more.
