The first two nights of the Great Cover Up didn’t disappoint. The standard had been set by excellent covers of Andrew W.K., Peter Tosh, and Sly and the Family Stone, among many others. With such an eclectic assortment of acts during the first two nights, there were only excited guesses as to which bands would make an appearance at the Highdive on Thursday night.
Silver Moon: From behind cloud upon cloud of ominous fog, Silver Moon swirled onto the stage as Fleetwood Mac. The lace-up leather vest, gauzy, draped gypsy outfit complete with tambourine, and practically patented Stevie Nicks dance moves were all there. “Edge Of Seventeen” and an intense “The Chain” got many people singing along with the impressive vocals that demonstrated that Silver Moon wasn’t just playing dress up.
Golden Quality: German accents, ample attitude and a luscious fake beard was all it took for Golden Quality to become the Scorpions. Under a glittering disco ball, they played a passionate “Still Loving You” with the honest emotion only an ’80s metal band could. I know I wasn’t the only one hoping, praying, and waiting to hear “Rock You Like A Hurricane.” The Scorpions teased; waiting until the very end of their set to unleash that song, launching many into epic fist pumps. Epic.
Scurvine: They took the stage in plaid shirts and knit caps casually hinting at Seattle in the ’90s. Scurvine transformed into grunge metal band Soundgarden under blue low lights. Soundgarden then began an impressive and unrelenting set. They spat out “Mood For Trouble” lyrics, knee dipped into guitar solos, and hunched over drums. Before we knew what hit us, Soundgarden was over leaving the men next to me to fondly reminisce over angst-y teenage days.
Hot Cops: Four male members of Hot Cops, two skirt and tight t-shirt ensembles, one wig, one red-hair dye job, one set of missing sleeves and all of the sudden Rainer Maria was playing a reunion show and sounding better than ever. There was definitely gender confusion, but no confusion when it came to the very musically impressive and high energy versions of “Tin Foil” and “Already Lost”.
Chemicals: Even though the Chemicals didn’t do much of a visual cover of the Stooges, they really had the music down. The Stooges got most everyone head-banging, or at the very least head nodding, right away with “Down The Street,” and by the end of “Dirt” I was revved up. The Stooges switched things up by bringing a saxophonist onstage during “1970” to finish it off.
Roberta Sparrow: Alkaline Trio carefully climbed down from the ladder used to hang their usual large black banner featuring a white skull behind the drum kit and began a whiplash sampling of their songs. I wasn’t the only one in the audience who felt like an unbreakable kid in high school, convinced I was above the law, again, as that was apparent by the singing, dancing, and excitement from the people around me. After “Stupid Kid” I felt like running out of Highdive and pegging a car driving by with a snowball for the thrill of it, maybe.
Terminus Victor: I could not imagine what was lurking behind the fog as the guitar and drums sounded. Then, from the depths of darkness P.J. Harvey emerged. Her (his) hair; a long black wig, her (his) make-up was smeared across her (his) exaggeratedly pale face, and a she (he) donned a black skirt. P.J. crawled on the stage. The guitarist jumped and kicked. Many in the crowd were doing the same. Most everyone who was smart enough to stick around to the very last second of the three day Great Cover Up event seemed like they were loving it almost as much as P.J. Harvey.
