Stop the Planet of the Apes, I want to get off
Once upon a time, way back in January of 1998, I went to what stands in my mind as one of the best ska shows I’ve ever seen, at the Granada in Lawrence.
It was MU330, Ruskabank, the late and lamented Norman 360, and the Decepticonz. An awesome show. An amazing show that was right during that year or two when third-wave ska was at its peak, and you could see a ska show every other week… more, if you weren’t looking for touring bands. Danced my ass off… wore a suit for God’s sake… seriously, I can’t remember knowing more people at a show, or having such a good time while sober (keep in mind, I was a month into being 18).
My buddy Matt, several years later, is cleaning out his music collection and hooks me up with a patch and seven-inch he’d gotten from the Decepticonz. It sits another year in my vinyl collection until a buddy loans me a turntable and I rip it to mp3. When I finally listen to it, I am particularly struck by a cover on the disc, that being the Mummies‘ “You Must Fight to Live On the Planet of the Apes.” As good as the Decpticonz originals were, this cover was killer.
Fast forward to early 2004. I now have in my possession the original seven-inch version of the Mummies’ version, courtesy of a trip to Love Garden. Not to mention the good folks at Sympathy for the Record Industry for keeping it in print. Also, much love to Nobulog for having the original version available for download a year ago. Now, in one handy dandy blog post, you can hear the original and the cover without having to search, rip, and encoding. It’s all right here for your enjoyment. The lo-lo-lo-fi original and the horn-laden cover, back to back, in glorious digital sound.
the Mummies - “You Must Fight to Live On the Planet of the Apes”
Decepticonz - “You Must Fight to Live On the Planet of the Apes”
BONUS TRACK: Troy McClure - “Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off“