Dead 60s dead.

I read a couple of days ago that the Dead 60s had decided to call it a day. No massive falling out over royalties, musical differences, girlfriends in the studio, any of that stuff. As their website says, “We just felt like the band had run its course, time for us all to branch out & try other things.” No big deal. The world hasn’t stopped. No one’s life is over, but the Dead 60s brand of Liverpudlian indie ska is no more.

Most folks preferred The Ordinary Boys anyway (!) But I had a bit of a soft spot for the Dead 60s. I thought they were a Scouse Specials. In hindsight they’re not really, but so what? A few years ago my pal Quinny & I hosted a radio show for student radio. It was called ‘Under The Influence’ and it was fantastically brilliant. You may have heard it now and again?

In reality, just as very few people heard the Dead 60s, very few people heard our show. But if you had, you’d have heard us play ‘Riot Radio’ the band’s first single. I went on a download frenzy after hearing this track and discovered the Dead 60s dubtastic version of The White Stripes ‘7 Nation Army’. I think it may have been recorded for an XFM session, I’m not too sure. It’s spacey, echoey and features great spaghetti western guitars. It’s nothing like the garage rock of the original. Lee Perry Mavers!  I like it. You will too! Here it is.

Another couple of Seven Nation Army covers for you:

1. The Dynamics (Lovers rock/dub version, nice melodica solo. Fans of the Dead 60s?)

2. The Flaming Lips (Surely you’ve heard this by now? Fuzz bass, car sirens, vocals through a food blender, it’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine. Yes, the Flaming Lips can do no wrong.)

3. Bonus track. Here’s one of those mash-ups that I keep saying I don’t like. Public Enemy Vs The White Stripes, ‘Bring The 7 Nation Army’. Bass! How low can you go?