LISTEN: Redd Kross Share Cover of Sparks’ “When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’”

The LA punks reimagine the track by their fellow West Coast cult heroes for Kross’ forthcoming “Beyond the Door.”
LISTEN: Redd Kross Share Cover of Sparks’ “When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’”

The LA punks reimagine the track by their fellow West Coast cult heroes for Kross’ forthcoming “Beyond the Door.”

Words: Dean Brandt

photo by Jon Krop

August 12, 2019

Sonically there’s not much in common between idiosyncratic new wavers Sparks and punk troupe Redd Kross, but their stories aren’t entirely dissimilar: both acts came up in LA as their not-too-distant cousin genres were developing in the ’70s and ’80s, and both bands made a name for themselves by forging their own paths in their quickly oversaturated markets. Additionally, both groups suddenly re-emerged this century, the former with a one-off Franz Ferdinand collaboration, the latter with a high profile reunion.

RELATED: Redd Kross Return to Rock the Underground with “What’s a Boy to Do”

Today their paths finally cross (kross?) with the release of Redd’s latest single from their forthcoming LP Beyond the Door: a cover of Sparks’ 1994 single “When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way.’” Transforming the campy disco of the original into a riff-heavy alt-rock anthem, the recording meets the approval of Sparks’ Ron Mael himself: “Redd Kross has always been one of my favorite bands and that opinion was cemented when I heard their amazing version of our ‘When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way,’” the vocalist (and birthday boy!) said. “To do a version of that song with a completely different musical approach from the original while keeping every ounce of the original sentiment was an amazing feat. I love it!” 

Beyond the Door is out August 23 via Merge. Stream the new single below, and catch them on tour with Melvins at the dates listed on their site.