Christmas Covers Party #9

Despite the Creme Eggs on display in my local corner shop it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Admittedly, after having already endured several months of adverts preaching rampant consumerism and over-indulgence, I'm not exactly in the festive spirit as yet (bah, and furthermore, humbug) but here's something that fair warms the cockles and helps melt away my inner Scrooge; the 9th Annual Christmas Covers Party.

This yearly event brings together some of the best and brightest of Pompey's alt-music scene to rock some Egg Nog, have some fun and raise money to support the valuable work of The Rowans hospice. Situated just outside of the city The Rowans aims to improve the the lives of those living with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers, both in Portsmouth and throughout South East Hampshire.

The line-up for this year features Battery Hens, Horse Flies, Hooch, Dad Hair, The SLM, Cyprian Sceptre, Glorious Bulletheads and Flybums, all of whom are no doubt all practising the three covers apiece that they'll be performing. The venue for this festive farrago is The Wedgewood Rooms, with Thursday 27th December the date for your diaries, tickets £5 in advance. 

And yes, I'm really hoping that Battery Hens take on this Muppet Christmas classic. Fingers crossed.

I bless the sweater songs down in Africa...

After Weezer covered Toto's Rosanna (which may or may not have been inspired by Rosanna Arquette) the latter took up the challenge on their recent 40th anniversary tour and covered Hash Pipe (no, really). One thing, of course, leads to another and so Rivers Cuomo and chums have returned serve with a take on Toto's 1982 hit Africa, roping in Weird Al for the fun of it. Where will this madness end? Who knows, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it becomes a trend, perhaps then we''ll see QOTSA take on Rush's Tom Sawyer or Kylie singing Motörhead.