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There was a lot to love about the 2019 Vans Warped Tour at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View on July 20-21. There were dozens of interesting bands, tens of thousands of joyous fans and enough My Chemical Romance and Bad Brains T-shirts to fill a Hot Topic store.
Yet one of the coolest things about this two-day concert — the only Warped Tour event held on the West Coast this year — was the trend of bands including fun cover songs in their weekend sets.
Here’s a look at some of the best cover songs we heard at the 2019 Vans Warped Tour stop at Shoreline:
“You Give Love a Bad Name”
We switch the channel whenever this tired Bon Jovi number — which hails from the 1986 “Slippery When Wet” album — comes on. But Orange County’s Atreyu certainly held our attention on Day Two of Warped with their intense, metalcore rendition, which is a major upgrade on the Bon Jovi original.
The cover can be found on some releases/editions of Atreyu’s second studio album, 2004’s “The Curse.”
Whoa … @atreyuofficial covers @BonJovi at @VansWarpedTour pic.twitter.com/DFUrwqZWFM
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 22, 2019
Celebrating @VansWarpedTour – aka "the best tour of all time" – at @ShorelineAmp @LiveNationSF #warpedtour #foreverwarped .. see GREAT photo slideshow, review, vids https://t.co/gb5xuknjHh
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 21, 2019
“99 Red Balloons”
You remember this catchy ’80s smash (originally recorded as “99 Luftballons”) by the one and only Nena? Of course, you do. We’re actually having a hard time getting it out of our head right now, after hearing Saratoga’s own John Feldmann lead his band Goldfinger in a ska-punk version of it on Day One of Warped.
The cover was featured on the band’s third album, 2000’s “Stomping Ground.”
The best Nena cover you will hear all week. @VansWarpedTour #Warpedtour #foreverwarped pic.twitter.com/fW2sAQvd0p
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 21, 2019
“Come On Eileen”
The chance to hear Save Ferris’ version of this Dexys Midnight Runners classic was one of the biggest selling points of the 2019 Warped. At least it was for us. And vocalist Monique Powell and her Orange County ska-pop act certainly did not disappoint with their fun rendition on Day One of Warped.
The song is featured on Save Ferris’ fine full-length debut, 1997’s “It Means Everything.”
The moment people were waiting for at Save Ferris set … The best Dexys Midnight Runners cover ever. pic.twitter.com/OoNaD8PUjA
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 21, 2019
“Wonderwall”
A number of notable musicians have covered this Oasis gem over the years, including supremely talented jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and indie-star Cat Power. Yet it’s a pretty safe bet that none of those versions sounded anything like the emo/post-hardcore/screamo/alt-rock version delivered by The Used on Day Two of Warped.
And the covers keep coming at @VansWarpedTour …. Here's the Used covering Oasis pic.twitter.com/MnFBeJ0KIg
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 22, 2019
“Artificial Life”
Bravo to Save Ferris for including this Operation Ivy number in its set on Day One. Goldfinger would also tip its hat to the highly influential Berkeley punk act as it covered Op Ivy’s “Knowledge” a bit later in the day.
Save Ferris has a long history with “Artificial Life” — they recorded a cover for the “Punk vs. Ska, Round I” compilation in 1997.
Save Ferris covers Operation Ivy at @VansWarpedTour #vanswarpedtour #foreverwarped #Warpedtour pic.twitter.com/H6M7zu3H7m
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 20, 2019
“Jump Around”
This House of Pain hip-hop classic is one of the best party anthems of all time. And it did the trick once again when the Detroit hip-hop duo Twiztid performed a version on Day Two of Warped.
Just what you've been waiting for … Twiztid covers House of Pain at @VansWarpedTour #warpedtour #warped25 #foreverwarped pic.twitter.com/QOq3RAUwsV
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 21, 2019
“Song 2”
Save Ferris joined Goldfinger onstage for a raucous cover of this Blur favorite during Day One of Warped.
Monique from Save Ferris joins Goldfinger to cover Blur at @VansWarpedTour #warpedtpur #foreverwarped pic.twitter.com/idPuP8Ztd0
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) July 21, 2019
