We haven’t done a “Cool vs. Tite” in awhile, and since Hinds is playing in town later this week, I thought we could talk about their cover jam of “Davey Crockett”. The original song was done by Billy Childish and his band Thee Headcoats in 1990, followed by a version by Thee Headcoatees, an all girl band formed under Childish. Check out how these songs compare, and enter to win a pair of tix to the Hinds show at the Echoplex on 4/1/16 over on our Instagram!
Thee Headcoats
Thee Headcoats were a three-piece garage band formed in 1989, England. One of Billy Childish’s more recognized bands, they delivered lo-fi, garage rock at it’s finest. “Davey Crockett” came out in 1990 and featured on the album The Kids Are All Square – This Is Hip! . They repeat “Gabba gabba hey!” over and over in the song, a direct reference to The Ramones’ “Pinhead” and punk rock in general. Childish and Thee Headcoats would inspire later garage revivalists like The White Stripes and Ty Segall.
Davey Crockett who’s that girl in your locket
You’ve got a big boy knife to take her life
Gabba gabba hey…
Thee Headcoatees
Originally known as The Delmonas, Thee Headcoatees were an all female band formed under Billy Childish. According to AllMusic, “the girl group was created as a sister band for Childish’s band the Milkshakes, serving similar duty as a counterpoint to his subsequent project Thee Headcoats.” Their version of the song includes female vocals with more chants and noise in the background.
Hinds
“Davey Crockett” gets a modern garage make-under by another girl group, Hinds. A 4-piece band from Madrid and a Cool-Tite favorite, Hinds makes garage-pop songs to chill and drink beer to. Although, they don’t change up the style of the original song too much, they make it their own and it totally works for today.
Traditional Fools
Also worth mentioning is the 2008 version by The Traditional Fools, one of Ty Segall’s earlier bands. This one is a little more grungier, dirtier, and faster than the original or cover by Hinds. Segall is the king of lo-fi, garage rock revival, so it makes sense that he refers to bands like Thee Headcoats in his music. His music is constantly evolving, but his roots are heavily influenced by 60’s garage rock and it shows in his early music.