Photo Credit: Wall of Sound AU
The post-hardcore/ experimental rock group Pierce the Veil isn’t exactly known for covering songs, but it seems the lead singer has made an exception for the popular radio series Like A Version.
“Karma Police” was the second single released for OK Computer and is a dark philosophical tune inspired by the dystopian book 1984 by George Orwell. PTV’s version of “Karma Police” builds a rich sonic landscape- one that’s melancholic yet energetic, soothing, and discontented. The band struck the perfect balance of paying homage to Radiohead, while still keeping true to their own roots.
As the cover progresses, the broad sound of the crashing cymbals and guitars widens further. Vic Fuentes’s impeccable vibrato gets the chance to shine through at the ends of phrases, as desperation quietly keeps in. The band ends the song like Radiohead did, with fading, descending distortion that devolves into bleak fuzz.
The band also did an interview with Triple J after the cover was created, which gave us an inside look at some more details about their process and song choice.
“I don’t like doing karaoke, I’ll tell you a little secret about me…So whenever I think of a song that I would actually sing in karaoke, I’ll like, write it down. That song was actually on the list because I remember just loving singing that song,” the lead singer reported.
For more Cover Me coverage of Pierce the Veil, check out this link.
