Chuck Klosterman claims that Glasses Houses is the best Billy Joel album, and that Billy Joel has never been cool. He’s wrong on the first count (it’s the second best), but we can’t dispute the coolness issue (much as we love him/are from Long Island). Maybe Austin indie fencing team WMMF can fix that (no, they can’t). But still fun to hear their take on BJ’s 1980 top ten hit. They’ve been playing it in their live shows, and this version was recorded for DeepRockDrive. It’s a bit crunchier than Billy’s, but pretty faithful, with some inspired riffing from Jason Davis.
Billy Joel’s best album, The Stranger, turned 30 last year and his label is celebrating belatedly with a deluxe reissue: remastered album, a “Live At Carnegie Hall 1977″ disc, and a DVD of Billy on BBC’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” from ’78. It’s out in July, when the piano man will play Shea Stadium’s final concert ever.
WMMF are touring the country with The Whigs. Dates after the jump.
May 6 One Eyed Jacks w/The Whigs and The Dead Trees New Orleans, Louisiana
May 7 Warehouse w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Houston, Texas
May 8 White Rabbit w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees San Antonio, Texas
May 9 The Loft w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Dallas, Texas
May 10 Antones w/ The Whigs, The Dead Trees and Dead Black Hearts Austin, Texas
May 13 Modified w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Pheonix, Arizona
May 14 Studio 11 w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Flagstaff, Arizona
May 15 Beauty Bar w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Las Vegas, Nevada
May 16 Glass House w/ The Little Ones and Ra Ra Riot Pomona, California
May 17 Spaceland w/ The Dead Trees and The Whipsaws Los Angeles, California
May 21 Lola’s at Crystal Ballroom w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Portland, Oregon
May 22 The Bouquet w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Boise, Idaho
May 23 The Big Easy w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Spokane, Washington
May 25 Sasquatch! George, Washington
May 27 Club Sound w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Salt Lake City, Utah
May 28 Belly Up w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Aspen, Colorado
May 29 Trilogy Lounge w/ The Whigs and The Dead Trees Boulder, Colorado
Jun 1 Union Hall Brooklyn, New York
Jun 2 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 12 Bonnaroo Manchester, Tennessee
Aug 1 Lollapalooza 8/01-8/03. Day TBD Chicago, Illinois
Sep 26 Austin City Limits Austin, Texas
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shocking! people STILL don’t care about this band!
I agree with Klosterman. “Glass Houses” is heads above anything else Billy Joel ever did. If his whole catalog was that solid then he would have a much better reputation today.
Glasses Houses?
I celebrate Billy Joel’s entire catalogue, dammit. Well, except for most anything post-Nylon Curtain.
It’s a bit lame to name your band “What Made Milwaukee Famous” if you’re from Austin, TX.
Hey numb nuts, the band’s name is taken from the Jerry Lee Lewis song. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t from Milwaukee either. Sclemeel, schlemazel, Hasenfeffer Incorporated.
Hey Dick-man, you don’t see a difference between a song name and a band name?
i vote “the stranger”
“glass houses” is billys punk album
he has sucked for 30 years
i guess todd also has a problem with of montreal, architecture in helsinki, berlin and the fact thom yorke’s head isn’t actually made of a radio.
You had me, until the Radiohead reference. Just couldn’t think of another band with a place in the name? Anyway, if you call yourself “What Made Milwaukee Famous” (Regardless of the reason) it sounds like you’re implying that your band’s the thing that made Milwaukee famous. Milwaukee’s got a lot of reasons to be famous and a shitty band from Austin isn’t one of them…
so i guess todd also can’t get behind of montreal, architecture in helsinki, berlin and the fact that thom yorke’s head isn’t a radio.
Hey, just thought someone should mention this cover is absolutely terrible. Unless you all knew that was going to be the case and didn’t bother listening at all, in which case, hey, fair enough.
I don’t who you’re kidding…WMMF rocks!! If you’re not a fan of the BJ cover…check out their original stuff, http://www.myspace.com/whatmademilwaukeefamous
And, then tell me you’re not impressed!
What Made Milwaukee Famous is a great name, is a wonderful band and puts out fantastic music … some of you haters would post negative comments if a grandmother’s name was Virginia, but she was actually from Maryland … stop the hate!!!
His vocals are dead on!
Garth Brooks did a great cover of this as well…