Aural Aggravation

For the first single from Marc Urselli’s Best of Ramones Redux that will be released parallel to the forthcoming MER Redux Series instalment Marc Urselli’s Ramones Redux, Canadian space metal legends VOÏVOD have teamed up with no less legendary Australian post-punk vocalist JG THIRLWELL (FOETUS) to pay a mind-blowing tribute to the most fitting RAMONES’ classic ‘Zero Zero UFO’. The original of the song was released on the US punk rockers’ eleventh full-length Brain Drain (1989).

VOÏVOD comment: “One of the proudest moments of my life was when Joey Ramone gave a shout-out to Voïvod on stage in Montreal in 1994”, drummer Michel “Away” Langevin reminisces. "I’ve been a fan of the Ramones since their first LP, so you can imagine my excitement when Marc Urselli approached us to cover a song for this album. When he mentioned that collaborations were part of the concept, I immediately thought of JG Thirlwell who has been a good friend since the ’80s. While we could have recorded any of their songs, I’ve always dreamed of playing ‘Zero Zero UFO’. I was so excited about the opportunity that I might have played it a bit fast, making it challenging for Snake and Jim to fit every word in. Fortunately, Marc’s production really makes the track shine, and we’re thrilled with the final result. Enjoy!”

VOÏVOD have written metal history since their founding in Jonquière, Quebec in 1982. The Canadians starting out as a thrash band with strong hardcore punk leanings that was considered “experimental” or “progressive” right from the start. Their highly unique sound somehow survived multiple changes and shifts in style as well as changes in the line-up that have left drummer Michael “Away” Langevin as the remaining original member. There could hardly be a better choice for a homage to the RAMONES and the track ‘Zero Zero UFO’ than VOÏVOD. The Canadians were early adopters of a bizarre futuristic space style in artwork and lyrics, and they have already stunned the world with their daring and successful cover of PINK FLOYD’s ‘Astronomy Domine’.

Australian vocalist James George “JG” Thirlwell has become a most influential artist after moving to London, UK in 1978, where he founded FOETUS as the first of many musical projects with a broad stylistic range that includes post-punk, industrial, and trip hop. Under a variety of pseudonyms such as Clint Ruin and Frank Want, he collaborated with artists such as Marc Almond, THE THE, and Nick Cave among many others.

Check their rendition of ‘Zero Zero UFO’ here:

AA