PEARS

PEARS cover Everclear's "Chemical Smile," Black Tusk contribute b-side to flexi-disc series (listen)

We recently posted a ripping track off New Orleans melodic hardcore band PEARS‘ upcoming album for Fat Wreck Chords, and now they’ve released an Everclear cover. Before you go running for that “X” button in fear of bad memories of late ’90s grunge-lite, hear me out. PEARS clearly know that, like a lot of bands in the confused major label alternative rock era of the ’90s, Everclear wrote some straight-up punk songs in their early years. One of those is “Chemical Smile” — off their best record, Sparkle & Fade — and that’s the one PEARS have taken on. They hardly change it, only kicking up the aggression just a bit, and it still fits right in with the rest of their catalog. Check it out below.

The song is being released on this month’s installment of New Noise Magazine‘s flexi-disc series, and this month actually comes with two flexi-discs. The other is from Savannah sludge beasts Black Tusk, who offer up a b-side from their crushing new album Pillars of Ash. The song, titled “Seeing Visions,” is no less essential than anything else on that album. You can and should listen below.

Black Tusk were in NYC just a couple weeks ago when their tour hit Saint Vitus, and PEARS’ tour will bring them to that same venue on 4/21 with Such Gold and Crazy & the Brains (tickets). Other dates on their tour are with Subhumans, Dag Nasty, and more.