The Pixels is a band from Thessaloniki, Greece that describes itself as “Pop/Alternative Rock with a taste of swing and jazz”. Well it’s more than “a taste” on their new cover. A few years ago, lead singer Giotis Dort became somewhat of a YouTube sensation with his cover songs. Since he formed the band in 2014, they have also done their fair share of covers, but their latest takes them to a whole new level: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.
While many artists would never dare cover such a classic – let alone one from the King of Pop – The Pixels almost make you almost forget the original. For one, it sounds nothing like it. The smoky jazz club feel with nothing more than a voice backed with a guitar, piano and cajon just works with this song.
I asked the band why they covered this song and they explained that MJ and this song were “the reason [Giotis] started singing. We are all here together because of this song. It’s a kind of inspiration for us and it has given us the opportunity to express ourselves and the style of music we play.”
If you like this, check out some of their other covers – as well as the original “Understand” – on their YouTube page.
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I was expecting The Pixies!!!