New York, NY (Top40 Charts) For the first time in his 20+ year career as one of music's most in demand drummers, Fred Eltringham, steps away from the kit and up to the mic with his basement band, The Get You, and their debut album, Take Cover (The Noise Company). The Get You reimagines pre-existing songs with an edgy, lo-fi swagger. Eltringham curates the song selections by focusing on deep cuts over big hits, giving us an alternative appreciation of some of music's greatest writers. Basically, without even trying, Eltringham has created the coolest cover band ever.
"I wanted to do something creative in between tours and studio work," Eltringham says from his country home just minutes outside of Nashville. "And I was going through an obsession with that song The Pointer Sisters made famous, "Yes We Can Can". The Lee Dorsey version with The Meters as the backing band is unreal and there is something about one-chord songs that really mesmerizes. I laid down a quick version of my own, just for fun, didn't really think much of it. Then, a few months later, my friend,
David LaFléche, was visiting from Montreal and I showed him the track. I asked if he wanted to lay down some lead guitar and he started ripping these whiny, Mike Campbell-esque rock'n'roll licks in between the verses! Right then and there I decided to make a record of cover songs, and over time I kept knocking out tunes until I had a whole album."
Eltringham began his career in the 90's
Boston scene playing with local heroes, The Gigolo Aunts, Juliana Hatfield, and even backed up Rivers Cuomo while the
Weezer frontman attended Harvard. In the early 2000's, he moved to NYC to join forces with Indie-rocker, Ben Kweller, before heading to LA for a stint with the
Wallflowers and eventually The Dixie Chicks.
In 2007, Eltringham relocated to Nashville where he quickly became a first-call session drummer and began working extensively with cowpunk queen, kd lang. These days, Eltringham is Sheryl Crow's full time drummer, and when he's not with her, he's recording with country music's biggest artists and producers.
Take Cover has a youthful charm that is unexpected coming from an award-winning musician with the experience and pedigree that Eltringham has. The nine-song set has the innocence and exuberance of a 15-year old kid that's just dropped acid for the first time and cranks the Marshall up to 11. Eltringham doesn't go on this trip alone. He brings his friends along for the ride. The album opens with Eltringham and Ms. Crow singing unison on that 1973 funk classic, "Yes We Can Can" - one part Sgt. Pepper, one part MC5. The vibe increases as
Kacey Musgraves steps in for a psychedelic rendition of one of John Prine's countydelic standards, "Pretty Good". On Track three, Eltringham reunites with Ben Kweller as they Ramonesify John Holt's reggae anthem, "Stick By Me". Fifteen minutes in, The Get You is off and running. From classic cuts by The Lemonheads, all the way to Frank Sinatra. From Lucinda to Harry Nilsson. The 38-minute performance is fresh and flies by like an early 80's SST punk record.
It's been said that a drummer's main job is to serve the song, and few drummers serve songs the way Eltringham does. Take Cover proves that a great song is a great song and once again shows the magic that can happen when a great drummer steps out front.
HE GET YOU - TAKE COVER TRACKLISTING:
1. Yes We Can Can (feat. Sheryl Crow)
Written by Allen Toussaint, made famous by The Pointer Sisters
2. Pretty Good (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
Written by John Prine, made famous by John Prine
3. Stick By Me (feat. Ben Kweller)
Written by John Holt, made famous by John Holt
4. Into Your Arms
Written by
Robyn St. Clare, made famous by The Lemonheads
5. Without Her (feat. Bryan Carter)
Written by Harry Nilsson, made famous by Harry Nilsson
6. Life Is A Problem
Written by J. Spaceman, made famous by Spiritualized
7. Lonely Girls
Written by Lucinda Williams, made famous by Lucinda Williams
8. Looking Glass
Written by Lee Mavers, made famous by The La's
9. Always
Written by Irving Berlin, made famous by Frank Sinatra
