Chris suggested  that we institute some theme days during the week to get the juices flowing.   I opened the e-mail a bit late in the week so I’m skipping ahead to Friday’s  theme, #CoverFriday.  So consider this, “challenge accepted” old boy… BAM:

“Kick Out The Jams”
by Bad Brains w/Henry Rollins (originally by The MC5)
from the soundtrack Pump Up The Volume
1990 MCA
Buy the album on Amazon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcCC97arVMI

There’s no doubt in my mind that I heard the Bad Brains cover of  “Kick Out The Jams” years before I actually heard the source version.  And while the MC5 original is raw and powerful and awesome, this version is absolutely ferocious and can only be played at a volume I like to call LOUD AS FUCK (h/t to Soundgarden).  Any time it comes up on shuffle, I’ll sit jump around and listen all the way through without fail (big deal when you have musical ADD and an easily accessible skip button).  I’ll probably repeat it once or twice for good measure.

As soon as that first guitar strum/feedback combo starts, my adrenaline starts pumping and I’m just waiting for Henry Rollins to start screaming.  Even if you’re not a Hank fan, you gotta admit that this song suits him perfectly.

Oh, and it was also in one of the best movies ever.

The Pump Up The Volume soundtrack contains this gem and a ton of other great songs.  You can find it on Amazon.  And while you’re there you should pick up a copy of the movie as well… which I’m sure we’ll discuss again again on MNP.