Covered In Nails
A Tribute to Nine Inch Nails
Cleopatra
The punch line writes itself – our very own version of Y2K-Tel Records, the eerily ubiquitous Cleopatra, pops out yet another in its interminable series of “dark tributes.” The recipient of this particular ebon pie in the face is none other than Marilyn Manson’s bestest bestest pal, Trent Reznor. Would poor little Trent object to being prematurely eulogized by a bunch o’ Goths? Who the fuck cares? Sid HE think about US when he brought out his soulmate Brian Warner to duet on a neutered version of “Starfuckers, Inc”? Nopey. Oh, hey – that song is on the record, and guess what? It sucks, no thanks to the ropey Razed in Black. The word on the street (i.e., my stereo) is that Meeks, 16 Volt vs. Spahn Ranch, Interface vs. Sinboy, and Candymachines (even with one of the young womyn from Switchblade Symphony) all suck mightily, as well. Not only that, but Sheep on Drugs phoned in a lazy-ass version of “Wish.” Wow, predictable. Do you wanna know what’s not predictable, hence making it worth your money? First, Pig/Raymond Watts, in the ultimate moment of drunken-bag-of-flaming-shit-on-your-doorstep revenge, completely molests and (re)vamps it up on a cover of “Head Like a Hole.” As if to say, “Take that, ya snot-nosed fucker, ya stole my act, now I’m gonna go all Sinatra and Sammy Davis on your pampered ass.” Watts is bludgeoning Reznor to death with horns and grand Count Basie flourishes. Possibly one of THE great “fuck you’s” of the year. Second, Sigue Sigue Sputnik return! To play a Nine Inch Nails song! It’s “Piggy”! It’s brilliant! I miss their funny hats! Finally, Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat ill-repute covers “Terrible Lie,” and I’m flashing back to 1993, where Axl Rose is offering Taime a newly-released copy of Pretty Hate Machine, and our boy Downe instead goes on a coke-bolstered tirade about how soulless keyboards will never replace the guitar. Dude. If you want some surreality…
Cleopatra Records, 13428 Maxella #251, Marina Del Rey , CA 90292; http://www.cleorecs.com
