Rock Lobster
When I was much younger, I absolutely bugged out to the B-52's "Rock Lobster." I'm talking about full-on losing it, complete with bodily mimicking of the "down, down, down" part. After seeing a gazillion YouTube videos of the song, including a pretty good Family Guy rendition, I'm convinced this is one of the best songs ever written. The female vocals are perfect, Fred Schneider is Fred Schneider, and...dude, that cowbell.Why metal bands are the only ones to record covers of this song is beyond me. And, really, the covers aren't that great. I first heard Dead Horse's version circa 1991 via the wonderful WUNH 91.3 FM. It's not bad, gruffly faithful to the original. Botch's version, on the other hand, is one of the low points of the band's catalogue. The Internet seems to disagree, though; perhaps the most popular Google search leading to this site is people seeking that cover. Happy now?
Much more interesting is this live video, apparently recorded in 1979. It's one of the hottest things I've ever seen. We always knew Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson were hot, but gawdamn! And Fred Schneider's porn-stache! With the cameraman roving around, you'd think this were the set of Boogie Nights. Dark, sweaty, and slightly jaded, this version shits all over anything "post-punk" today.
6 Comments:
I'm with you(although i remember going more ape over 'Quiche Lorraine'). I saw clips of this video on some history of rock tv show and even a few quick clips captivated me. even watching it now it looks like this was just one HELL of a good time. This performance had to be either in Athens, Georgia or New York City after they drove up crammed in a station wagon.
-to me, Fred Schneider's most successful revisiting of the hilarious idiocy of Rock Lobster is his single "Monster". I just wish Kate and Cindy were more scantily clad, but we can blame attrocious 80s fashion for that...
here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/36zrcw
Damn! Kate and Cindy are smokin' in that live vid!
I agree; that Botch cover isn't exactly one of the hallmarks of their legacy.
dano - HOLY CRAP. that was surreal. i remember seeing fred schneider's solo stuff back in the day, and being scared of it. now i know my instincts were right.
floodwatch - yes, that was one lucky microphone. i never ascribed sexual energy to the b-52's, but now i'm going to have to rethink that re: their catalogue.
great find... this video is badASS....
love the guttural vocals at the end.
the link appears to be gone. too bad, sounded fun.
I just tested the YouTube and MP3 links, and all seem to work. The WUNH site seems to be down at the moment (is that what you're referring to?).
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