Cover versions. The musical equivalent of marmite, you either hate ‘em or love ‘em. I have to admit I have a soft spot for a good cover version. To me that would be one that retains some of the character of the original but allowing the covering artist to stamp their own authority on it. Do it right and a whole new audience can be found for the original act.
To me J*DaVeY manage just that with a song that some people would rail against straight away, the classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (did I really need to add the name?)
J*DaVeY are a bold, modelesque, mohawked chick with a boys name, Jack Davey, from St. Louis, MO, and an electro-funk-soul, uber-hip robotica boy with a name fit for a girl, Brook D’Leau originally from Los Angeles.
Jack grew up listening to Classic Jazz, Jazz Fusion, eighties R&B and Hip-Hop. Brook was surrounded by the New Wave & Pop-Rock sound by way of Prince, Talking Heads, and The Police. They met in high school and the rest, as all the best cliches say, is history.
When asked why they chose this track, J*DaVeY expressed admiration towards the original, stating, “We’re all insignificant in the grand scheme and feeling low becomes the high. Not sure if I’ve heard any other song that tongues the cheek of that concept so brilliantly”.
The pounding bass that opens the track is soon enhanced by Jack’s breathy vocals, singing lines that have been engraved on a generation. It sounds exactly the same as the original but so different. Drum beats, synths, sensuous backing vocals, hand claps all combine to produce a track that, to be honest, sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it. As the track closes with Jack moaning “..a denial” and the electro beat fades I can’t help but get ready to hit replay.
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J*DaVeY – Smells Like Teen Spirit
