Every one of the acts listed here writes fine, original music. They're too busy creating Houston's sound to be bothered with cover songs. That's a good thing.
Still, a man can dream, right? In fact, this whole exercise began when I fell asleep listening to a song and dreamed a local band performing it. In the light of day, I wondered which songs might fit other area bands.
Here are my choices. If even one of these happens, prepare to read about it here again later.
THE FREAKOUTS/THE DIVINYLS "I'll Make You Happy" Before the late Chrissy Amphlett and her band got MTV-friendly with that song about touching stuff, they were unglamorous, snarling punks. So, it only seems fitting that some glamorous snarling punks take a stab at their grungiest work. I'd love to hear Freakouts front woman Ash Kay deliver this one with all the verve she and her band bring to their live performances.
NICK GREER & THE G's/BILLY PRESTON "Will It Go Round In Circles?" They have the chops to deliver this classic with the fun -- clown nose, anyone? -- and energy it deserves. You got a dance that ain't got no steps? No problem. These guys are funkier than a grease trap at the KFC. You'll be dancing like no one's watching once they're done with you.
SAY GIRL SAY/ZERO 7 "Destiny" I was in the throes of insomnia one night when I dialed this one up to see if it would help me sleep. I drifted off to Sia's soothing voice and the supervisor of the dream factory gave the go-ahead to go with the rhythm. There were the women of Say Girl Say, perfectly harmonizing as always, to this Zero 7 cut, faces painted, joined by their percussionist, all beneath the giant backyard tree at The Doctor's Office.
THE SUFFERS/IKE & TINA TURNER "Nutbush City Limits" What's love got to do with it? Well, everything. I wouldn't trust any karaoke warblers to The Queen of Rock and Roll's homage to her birthplace, my favorite of all her songs. I know the band can rock steady, but I'd want to hear them play it as it was recorded, so their animated, soulful front woman Kam Franklin could do her best Acid Queen.
TALK SICK BRATS/RAMONES "Wart Hog" "It's a sick world,...sick, sick, sick!"... and so would this cover be. The Brats have such an awareness of '70s \ punk you might need a Ramones-like leather jacket to warm that chill up your spine just listening. But the band's own snide, sarcastic track "Coverband" suggests you won't be hearing this soon, or ever.
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