Oct 292010
 

At Cover Me, we like to give stuff away. Read on to learn how that stuff can be yours.

When Queens of the Stone Age took a break in 2009, bass player Michael Shuman wasted no time finding a new musical endeavor. Shuman called up a few Los Angeles buddies and psychedelic pop trio Mini Mansions was born.

Mini Mansions released a nine-song EP in 2009 and are now gearing up for the release of their self-titled debut on November 2. The vinyl version of the album’s lead single “Monk” features a B-side cover of Blondie‘s 1979 new-wave smash “Heart of Glass.” Shuman told us about why he chose the tune:

I wanted to do a song that a girl sang, cause we sing like girls. And “Heart of Glass” is such a classic song that it would be interesting to hear a completely different twist on something so recognizable. It is such a great pop song, but also was a transition track for Blondie, heading into the dancy/disco world. Rather than aping the glitzy, strobed, cocaine persona, I wanted to take it to more of a Nico level. So we put our finger on the turntable and slowed it down to a nice 20 mph speed. Lyrically, it’s kind of a downer, and I think our take on it fits perfectly. Although we take no credit for the composition, it now feels like just another Mini Mansions song. Sometimes I forget we didn’t write it.

Check out their cover and see what you think!

MP3: Mini Mansions – Heart of Glass (Blondie cover)
[audio: Giveaways/HeartofGlass.mp3|artists=Mini Mansions|titles=Heart of Glass]


To celebrate the group’s album debut – and also Cover Me’s third birthday – we’re giving away two copies of the 7″ single bundled with the full Mini Mansions CD. This 7″ is the only place to hear the cover (other than above, that is, but it sounds even better on purple wax). How do you win? It’s simple! Just comment on this post below telling us your name, e-mail address, and favorite new wave song. The deadline for entry is Friday, November 5. Contest closed.

While you wait to see if you’ve won, check out more from Mini Mansions on MySpace!

Cover Me is now on Patreon! If you love cover songs, we hope you will consider supporting us there with a small monthly subscription. There are a bunch of exclusive perks only for patrons: playlists, newsletters, downloads, discussions, polls - hell, tell us what song you would like to hear covered and we will make it happen. Learn more at Patreon.

  48 Responses to “Giveaway: Win a Purple 7″ of Mini Mansions Singing Blondie’s “Heart of Glass””

Comments (47) Pingbacks (1)
  1. Everything by U2 during their New Wave phase.

  2. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls

  3. though it might border more on postpunk Modern English I’ll Melt With You will forever be my favorite song period.

  4. Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)

  5. This is an awsome cover!
    My favourite New Wave song is: It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back), from Eurythmics

    Cheers,
    Daniel

  6. Talking Heads – Psycho Killer

  7. Jo Boxers – Just Got Lucky

  8. Passion of Lovers- Bauhaus

  9. Bowie – Fashion

  10. The Clash – Should I stay or should I go :)

  11. My favorite song would to be Mini Mansion’s entire CD.

  12. i love this song by blondie and also love what you guys have created on it!
    White Wedding by Billy Idol

    I hope we will see you as soon as possible here in Paris!

  13. Joy Division – She’s Lost Contol

  14. Split Enz – I See Red

  15. A Flock of Seagulls – “I Ran”

  16. I’d have to go with “Once In A Lifetime” by the Talking Heads.

  17. New York City Boy- Pet Shop Boys
    =)

  18. B-52´s – Private Idaho

  19. Psycho Killer – Talking Heads

  20. new order – blue monday

  21. Billy idol – rebel yell. top quality!

  22. Damn enter key….. Send Me an Angel by Real Live. always loved that one

  23. Talking Heads “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)”
    (the Stop Making Sense live version)

  24. Descendents – “Bikeage” from the 1982 “Milo Goes to College” LP…oh and this other joint called “Dirty T.K.O.” by these three dudes with mad flava crystals bustin’ outta they’re flesh vehicles!

  25. I don’t really do “favourite” nominations, because there is always so much to choose from, which is what applies in this case.
    However, simply because I was listening to it earlier for the first time in a while, today’s fave new wave song is “Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions” by Graham Parker & The Rumour, 12″ remix version. It cost me the princely sum of 89 British pennies in 1978 (A bargain! It was reduced from £0.99p in Our Price Records – whatever happened to them!?), and it is still a possession to be proud of!!! You can’t say that about downloads! :-)

  26. “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order

  27. I am going to have to say my favorite “New Wave” song is Billy Joel’s “Still Rock and Roll to Me”. The song is a brillant commentary of how meaningless the genre labels were getting, I mean really, how many bands labeled as “New Wave” or “Punk” have nothing to do with each other sound wise? Here is a song that calls it all Rock and Roll and then washes it’s hand of the problem.

  28. ‘Add it Up’ by the Violent Femmes. I’m not certain that’s new wave or not. . . but what I am certain of is that I want a Mini Mansions Vinyl!

  29. Rock the Casbah – The Clash

  30. “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood :D

  31. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Talking Heads

  32. Heard them twice in NYC and cant wait for more!
    Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads

  33. “Relax” – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

  34. Never Say Never – By Romeo Void.

  35. Thanks for that great cover

    my favourite new wave song has got to be

    ‘My Sharona – The Knack’

  36. The Polecats – Make a Circuit with Me

  37. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me?

  38. What I Like About You – The Romantics

  39. Bowie – Let’s Dance

  40. The Cure – The Lovecats

  41. Devo – Mongoloid

  42. great cover!
    favourite new wave song: tears for fears – pale shelter

  43. my favorite new wave song : Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
    love you guys!! thanks Michael for your autograph on the cd:) you have an Italian fan

  44. GREAT COVER!
    The list of great new wave songs makes it exceptionally difficult to choose one. In the spirit of this contest, I have to go w/ one of my favorite covers: Bauhaus covering Ziggy Stardust on an album (Swing the Heartache) filled w/ classics. Honorable mention to QOTSA doing White Wedding (among others) as a B-side to Era Vulgaris.

    Thanks for your time & consideration!

  45. Nice version! I would have to choose “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats. It’s gotta be one of my favorite new wave hits from the 80’s! :)

  46. It would have to be Whip It, by Devo of course.
    If I had to pick a runner up though, it’d probably be Save a Prayer by Duran Duran

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