If you are going to do a cover version of a track it's always best to do something a bit different with the song otherwise what's the point...
Hailing from Leeds, Age Of Chance released a couple of decent singles in the mid 80's before releasing the track that most people remember them for...Originally recorded for a Peel session while the original was still in the chart, Kiss successfully merged a mix of punk, hip hop, northern soul and indie rock into one of the finest covers that I have heard....
At the time I remember seeing and hearing the track everywhere so it was a bit of a shock to realize that the song did not break the Top 40 although it did make it to Number 2 in 1986's Festive 50. The visuals for Age Of Chance were of huge importance also, with the sleeve of Don't Get Mad... being rightly cited as one of the best album covers of all time...
Bursting forth from a giant poster of the original artist this is a great performance from the BBC with the Age Of Chance's very own Mo Tucker baging away on the drums....
At the last count I had 5 copies of Kiss, every time I see one in a charity shop I buy it. Saw them in Aberdeen in 87, they were brilliant.
ReplyDeleteDid you catch my posting of the Kiss (power mix promo), how I wish I had a copy of that!
Btw - I had the same cycling top as Neil Howson is wearing on that Whistle Test clip.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing it at the time on Peel and have also been trying in vain to get a copy over the years.
ReplyDeleteI was never convinced of the cycling chic!
ReplyDeleteGreat cover version though