When last we encountered Neo-Magics, an Aussie garage rock revival act supposedly birthed in the mid ’80s but not recording until the present, they were covering Chic’s “Le Freak” in such a strange way we couldn’t ignore it. Well, they’re back with another bizarre ’60s style cover of a dance song. This time they’ve taken on Technotronic‘s “Pump Up the Jam,” the first ever Eurodance hit in the US.
Whether as that trailblazing Eurodance smash or as the recurring gag in Cunk on Earth, it’s hard to imagine “Pump Up the Jam” as anything other than an extremely late ’80s dance track. Whether it’s the drum machine, the phased keyboards, the pulsating beat or the rapping, it’s extremely of its era and any cover that honors those elements will likely sound like that time too.
Neo-Magics drop all of that. They begin with some classic ’60s organ and guitar and then a rapid drum fill. There’s no lead-in at all, and they start singing within 5 seconds. They drop the opening verse and go straight for the chorus which is probably why this sounds nothing like the original. Does anyone remember the chorus? It’s the verse everyone knows, right? The Neo-Magics, and their guest vocalist Tandarra Rothman, swap the lyrics so the chorus functions as the verse and prechorus and the verse functions as the chorus (ish). When Rothman speaks/shouts the iconic verse, most of the instruments drop away.
They race through it, with only the two singers, keyboards, guitar, drums and bass. Even though their version is half as long as the original, there’s a guitar solo in the outro. Of course there is. It’s garage rock.
Anyway, it’s fun and only really recognizable during the rap. Take a listen:
