I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an online discussion on this particular subject before.

Back in the 90s, there were a number of “Tribute Albums”, compilation albums where a record label would reach out to a bunch of bands, usually lesser known bands, to each record a cover of a song by some popular and influential band. The two albums I had back in the day were Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M., and Virus 100: A Tribute to Dead Kennedys, both released in 1992.

I really liked them for two reasons. One, it was fun to hear covers of already familiar songs being done in creative ways, as many of the bands sort of interpreted their chosen song a bit. Like King Missile’s cover of “Get Up” being performed with a very prominent electronic keyboard and an additional verse being added, or Nomeansno performing “Forward to Death” a cappella. And two, it introduced me to more obscure bands that I likely wouldn’t have otherwise discovered in those days, like Steel Pole Bath Tub (who had a song on both albums, their rendition of “Chemical Warfare” is amazing but their version of “We Walk” was a, uh, interesting choice).

Flash forward several years and the Internet now has Wikipedia and Discogs and several means of obtaining music, and I revisited these albums and came to discover that there were several such albums released. Like, I wouldn’t have a complete list of all of these albums I’ve since discovered, because there were a lot and the trend continued into the 2000s and (as far as I know) this is still a thing that happens.

I will mention one other that I discovered very recently: it’s called Another Damned Seattle Compilation, it’s from 1991, and it’s a bunch of Seattle bands covering songs by The Damned. And, although the whole thing isn’t made up of grunge bands, there are a lot of grunge bands on it. I think the most famous grunge band here is Mudhoney (“Stab Your Back”) and there’s Skin Yard (“Machine Gun Etiquette”), Coffin Break (“Love Song”), Love Battery (“I Just Can’t Be Happy Today”), Hammerbox (“New Rose”), and Gruntruck (“Nasty”). I know most people have never heard of any of those bands but for those of you who fall into the incredibly niche category of fans of both The Damned and the early grunge (and Seattle music) scene, it’s an amazing find.

Anyway, I’m open to other recommendations, including albums that aren’t from the 90s. There are also compilation albums like the Before You Were Punk series, where a bunch of punk bands would cover 80s pop songs, similar concept.

  • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    2 days ago

    For your listening pleasure, I present,

    “Where is my mind?” - A tribute album to the Pixies:

    Every one is a fucking banger. But my three favorite are “Where is my mind” by Nada Surf, Gigantic, by reel big fish, and This monkeys gone to Heaven, by Far.

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      I’ll definitely check it out, I love the Pixies. I’ve heard at least a few covers of “Where Is My Mind” and it’s one of those songs that I don’t think anyone can quite get right, so I’ll be interested to see what it’s like here.

  • Knuschberkeks@leminal.spaceEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    Are these a 90s thing? I have a few of them but I think most of them are from the 2010s. I can’t remember the names right now but I think I have tribute albums for

    • Dio
    • Slayer
    • Celtic Frost
    • Tankard
    • Darkthrone
    • Black Sabbath

    and german Magazine Metal Hammer released Tribute albums that covered the first 3 Metallica Albums for their respective 30 Year anniversaries

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      Are these a 90s thing?

      I mean, if you read the original comment I actually mentioned twice that it wasn’t exclusive to the 90s and continued to the present day, it’s just that the trend seemed to have started there.

    • missingno@fedia.io
      3·
      2 days ago

      “This is Your Life” is the Ronnie James Dio one, released in 2014, and was the album I came here to mention. Tenacious D’s cover of The Last in Line won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance.

      • Knuschberkeks@leminal.spaceEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        yes that’s my favourite one. There are a few artists on there that I don’t usually like but delivered great covers for that one, like Halestorm and Killswitch Engage.

  • eaterofclowns@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    Violent World: Tribute to Misfits was a regular part of my CD rotation in the early 00’s. There’s a bit of pop punk, industrial metal, even a rockabilly track if I remember. It was a fun one.

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      Is Violent World the album with a song by Zombina & The Skeletones? I don’t think I have that one but I may have heard of it. I do have another Misfits tribute album called Graven Images: A Tribute to the Misfits (2000) and it’s all stoner rock bands. I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet so I couldn’t tell you if it’s good though. I suspect there are probably a few Misfits tribute albums out there.

  • AlexLost@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Encomium: a tribute to Led Zeppelin. Some real bangers on there.

    Saturday Morning Cartoons greatest hits.

  • oOAlteredBeastOo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    Check out The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered. Very good compilation of Daniel Johnston covers along with original versions. There are a surprising number of established artists that participated in this project. Beck, Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, Death Cab For Cutie, Bright Eyes, TV On The Radio, etc. Hope you like it!

    https://www.discogs.com/master/213085-Various-The-Late-Great-Daniel-Johnston-Discovered-Covered?srsltid=AfmBOopUHZnlLwQtup4kjauasPvVVJowhgNHk4EpBL4iyb-GG5AGx1p3

  • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.spaceEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Some bands got many tribute compilations: from major labels, bringing in big-name alternative bands, from indie labels, with the contributors centred around a scene or genre (like the German minimal-techno Slowdive compilation, or numerous Cleopatra goth tribute compilations), and a few from national scenes (there was a Swedish electropop Cure tribute compilation from around 1995, which was fun if a little odd)

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      Yeah I feel like I’ve heard of at least a few tribute albums for the Ramones and there are at least two or three each for Misfits and the Velvet Underground.

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      I’m sure you could find a bunch of other tribute albums if you search the site a little bit.

      Did you really read the original post and think to yourself “Oh, this person doesn’t know how to use the basic search function on Bandcamp?”

      • spizzat2@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        I’m sorry if it came across that way. I wasn’t sure if you were familiar with Bandcamp, so I was just mentioning that they have a lot of “Tribute to” style albums, not just blink-182, in case you were looking for more.

        • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
          1·
          1 day ago

          Okay, fair enough. I think I’m still a little shellshocked from using Reddit for years. I’d like to see Lemmy work out in the long run so I’m taking a chance and writing, I don’t know, like sincere efforts to spur discussion? It’s not something I do on Reddit anymore because there are too many people trying to “defeat” posts instead of just honestly answering, or people who will say “Why don’t you just Google it?” and act like they’re doing you a favor by treating you like a halfwitted child, to say nothing of some of the genuinely unhinged shit that goes on over there… I mean, you’re probably a Reddit refugee yourself so I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I pretty much only lurk and occasionally shitpost at Reddit these days because it has so little value beyond that anymore.

          Anyway, I’m sorry if I came across as harsh or overly defensive, I’m honestly trying to be better about that. Social media is really only as good as the people who use it, and I’m no exception.

  • Iamsqueegee@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    Not exactly what you’re looking for, but check out Zonkey by Umphrey’s McGee. It’s a mashup album that is better than it has a right to be. Ever wonder how Electric Avenue and Highway to Hell could possibly work together? It’s delicious.

    • shadowplay@lemmy.wtfOPEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      Oh, is it like that Neil Ciceriga or whatever his name is? The Mouth Sounds guy? Internet mashups are definitely a different category but I’ve always found them interesting. Anyway, I’ll check it out, thanks.