OK, now, this is freaking cool. Smash Up Derby claims to be theworld’s only live mash-up rock band. As in, they perform instrumental covers of one artist’s song while singing the vocals to another. An idea that’s absolute genius in it’s simplicity. Not to say that the execution is that simple - I can only imagine the work that it takes to get the vocals and music to mesh well in a live environment.

Okay, look, we know how most of these band bios start. It usually goes something like this: Imagine a band that mixes [insert well-known indie band here] with [insert famous pop artist here] sprinkled with a dash of [for intrigue, insert descriptive noun here]. And of course, it’s usually complete bullshit. Unless, that is, you’re talking about SMASH-UP DERBY.

That’s because SMASH-UP DERBY indeed does do all of the above – quite literally. In fact, they’re a totally kick-ass indie cover band – except the singers think they’re in a pop band. So while the band is cranking out rockin’ renditions of songs by Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand, the Sex Pistols, or Black Sabbath, the singers are belting out Madonna, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, or Pink - at the same time.

Read more about the band and sample a few mp3s at their website, http://www.smashupderby.com/. My fave is Jet Lady Joe, though I’m guessing that Smells Like Billie Jean is probably more of a crowd pleaser.

Mash-Ups