Trick or Treat!
Covers of your favorite dance hits by some disturbingly hot and sexy dead people
So, as we approach Halloween, I sit here with a pile of music I want to share, but I’m still mired in writer’s block. I was wondering what it would take to get untracked. Then I stumbled onto something rather unexpected but perfect for the moment. It’s a cover band that does Halloween the way it was meant to be done.
Broken Peach hail from Vigo, Spain. Their current line-up includes:
Lara Rodriguez Perez- Vocals, Band Manager, b: 2 Sept
Erika Vázquez — Vocals, b: 12 Sept
Érika Lewis (who goes by Lewis)- Vocals, b: 23 Jul
Sela Pereira Cancelas — Vocals, b: 9 Dec
Pedro González Neira (“Pepo”) — Guitar, Keyboards, b: 3 Sept
Rubén Domínguez — Drums, b: 16 May
Julián Rodríguez — Bass, b: 14 Sept
They were founded in 2009, so they’ve been around 15 years. They’ve done a special production every year for Halloween. Where was I? Not paying attention, I guess. Here are their three most recent Halloween singles:
“Call Me/I Was Made for Lovin’ You”
Who would think of mashing up Kiss and Blondie? Broken Peach, that’s who.
“Don’t You Want Me”
It is the best-known song from the Human League and one of the biggest hits of the New Wave era. Special award to the costume designer!
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“Tainted Love”
Some things become so much a part of the fabric of your environment you don’t think about them. Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” was a huge dance hit in the 80s and is still a staple on radio and in dance clubs — probably the longest-lasting one-hit wonder from that era.
What few know is that it was a cover.
Gloria Jones wrote songs for various Motown groups, including the Supremes, but never broke out as a performer.
Here is her original 1964 recording of “Tainted Love”:
Many people have covered the song, but this version by Broken Peach may be my new favorite. It also includes a quote from the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” another New Wave era classic. Who knew zombies in nurses’ outfits could be so, well, sexy?!
Happy Halloween!
That Don't You Want Me cover goes so hard!!!
What a trip they are! Great sound, costumes, and movement.
I also love to see songs like these reinterpreted in this way, giving them new meanings and life and introducing them to new audiences.
Sorry to hear you're still experiencing writer's block. I'm feeling a bit of that myself and bought a stack of discount rock books yesterday to get reinspired. Your post of this quirky group is inspiring too!