San Diego-based Rob Crow of Pinback fame continues to surprise with his recent math-rock rendition of Men at Work’s “Overkill” for A.V. Club. Written by Colin Hay, the song was a big hit in the ‘80s. It is perhaps not as well-known (or maligned) as one of the Aussie New Wavers’ other hits, “Down Under,” which is unfortunate, because “Overkill” is a much better song.
According to Crow, “Overkill” seemed like the song he could “do the most damage with.” And he does just that in this A.V. Undercover performance of the song.
While Hay’s own A.V. Club performance of the song was stripped down and raw, Crow somehow still manages to extract vulnerability in spite (or perhaps because) of the fortress of interlocking parts he and his newest formation, Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place, build around the delicacy of the song.
Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place recently released “You’re Doomed. Be Nice.” on Temporary Residence Ltd. after Crow reneged on his promise to quit music. Since forming Pinback in 1998, Crow has been known for his rather mercurial presence in the San Diego music scene, but we’re all much the better for it.
