UNDER THE COVERS: Nada Surf Takes On Bill Fox's "Electrocution"

As previously reported, Nada Surf is heading out on tour next month with a new album in tow entitled if i had a hi-fi. No, it’s not full of new material, but rather, covers of some of the band’s favorite songs/artists. The album features guest spots from Martin Wenk (Calexico), Phil Peterson (Kay Kay and the Weathered Underground), Joe McGinty (Losers Lounge, Psychedelic Furs) and Holly Miranda. While it will be initially available at upcoming shows, the band plans to release the album on CD/LP as well as digitally on June 8th via the bands own label, Mardev Records, with distribution through ADA.

Hear the band’s take on Bill Fox’s “Electrocution” below.

LISTEN: Bill Fox – “Electrocution”(original)
MP3: Nada Surf – “Electrocution” (Bill Fox cover)

Here, Nada Surf certainly amps up their take, performing with their trademark pop rock sound – and oh how infectious it is. The original is a bit more subtle and vulnerable sounding. Nada Surf’s take sounds a lot more defiant but still carries the spirit of the original. It also expands upon the original's bass and guitar instrumentation with the addition of organ and the hopping kick and snare drums.

On the original, Bill Fox sounds like a some kind of weathered troubadour over ‘60s-inspired acoustic guitar fare. It’s not a far cry from his past. Fox was a member of The Mice, a garage pop band (how fitting) out of Clevand, during the late ‘80s. He ended up abandoning the music business for nearly a decade in the ‘90s, but has recently been performing around the Cleveland area following reissues of his early work.

if i had a hi-fi Tracklist:

1) Electrocution (Bill Fox)
2) Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode)
3) Love Goes On (The Go-Betweens)
4) Janine (Arthur Russell)
5) You Were So Warm (Dwight Twilley)
6) Love and Anger (Kate Bush)
7) The Agony of Laffitte (Spoon)
8) Bye Bye Beaute (Coralie Clement)
9) Question (Moody Blues)
10) Bright Side (The Soft Pack)
11) Evolution (Mercromina)
12) I Remembered What I Was Going to Say (The Silly Pillows)

Nada Surf Tour Dates:

MARCH
25 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom ("Let Go") - SOLD OUT
26 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House ("The Weight is a Gift") - SOLD OUT
27 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg ("Lucky") - SOLD OUT
29 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace*
30 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour*
31 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street*

APRIL
01 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church*
02 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club*
03 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club*
13 - London, UK - ICA - SOLD OUT
14 - London, UK - ICA - SOLD OUT
15 - France - Printemps de Bourges Festival
17 - France - Strasbourg Artefact Festival
18 - Utrecht, Holland - Tivoli De Helling - SOLD OUT
19 - Brussels, Belgium - Botanique
20 - Koln, Germany - Gloria
21 - Lausanne, Switzerland - D! Club
23 - Zurich, Switzerland - Abart
24 - Vienna, Austria - WUK
25 - Prague, Czech Republic - Lucerna Music Bar
26 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
27 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
28 - Paris, France - Trabendo
30 - Villagarcia de Arosa, Spain - Festival do Norte

MAY
01 - Murcia, Spain - SOS Festival
15 - Longirod, Switzerland - Long'l'rock Festival
24 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern #
25 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour #
27 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall #
29 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom #
30 - George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival

* = w/ Dawn Landes and the Hounds
# = w/ Telekinesis

Nada Surf Official Site
Nada Surf @ MySpace