My gem this week goes to punk icons Bad Religion and the acoustic version of “Infected” their 1994 hit from the album Stranger Than Fiction.
I have been in an acoustic mood lately. I was listening to cover versions of hardcore classics when I came across this version of “Infected” that the band had done in a studio session for Kroq. I liked it so much that I could not resist sharing it.
I have blogged in the past about how much I love Bad Religion and how they are one of the most influential hardcore punk bands out there. I love this song it’s a gem from 1994.
Lead singer Greg Graffin has always inspired me. He is not your average punk front man as he holds a Ph.D and he crosses over performing solo acoustic/folk music too.
Below is the link for “Infected” shared from Elpunko’s You Tube channel.
Punk icons Bad Religion released a Christmas album simply titled Christmas Songs.
The last thing I expected to hear this holiday season is that this band would put out a Christmas album.
I only say that because as far as I know lead singer Greg Graffin is an atheist and in general the band disagrees with organized religion.
According to their official site under the legacy tab it stated that:
“Bad Religion have threatened to record an album of seasonal classics for years, and now they’ve gone and done it, tackling eight chestnuts in their classic punk rock style.”
I would have thought this sort of project would come from the punk rock cover band Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies, who are known to cover classic songs from any genre and give it a punk spin.
However weird it seems I listened through it and I’m hooked. The album is awesome with loud and fast rendition’s of the traditional Christmas classics. The album also includes a different recording of their well-known hit American Jesus too.
After listening to each song from the album on You Tube, I love Little Drummer Boy which isn’t even one of my favorites traditionally because the word rum-pah-pum-pum is ridiculous but Graffin gets away with saying it! I also loved God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman and this version now trumps any other one I thought I liked before it because it’s such a fierce and fueled rendition.
As if this new album wasn’t enough of a surprise treat, the band has also created a advent calendar on their official site that fans can click on each day and win a present. My click got one free download of What Child is This? from iTunes.
I got into Bad Religion when I was a teen and first heard 21st century Digital Boy over the radio. I started buying their albums with their 1996 release The Gray Race and the rest is history.
Their songs have a signature classic punk style with catchy guitar riffs and it’s infectious with one listen.
My favorite album is (1992) Generator. I love every song on that album especially Fertile Crescent and Atomic Garden.
I assure any hardcore punk fans this Christmas album will not disappoint and it’s consistent in the bands trademark speed and unique riffs. The album is also a nice break away from the traditional versions of Christmas music that play on the radio!
Bad Religion is set to appear on Conan O’Brien tonight.
I have a link below from the EpitaphRecords You Tube channel.
Music Reportage 