Bayside covers hits for its new release
Anthony Raneri performs with Bayside at the CMJ festival in New York City's Highline Ballroom. (Oct. 21, 2010) Credit: Agaton Strom
In some ways, Bayside has been ready to record its new EP "Covers-Vol. 1" (Gumshoe) since the band started in 2000.
"The idea goes back to days touring in the van," singer Anthony Raneri says, calling from a tour stop in Florida. "When 'Oliver's Army' would come on, we'd say, 'I could see how we would do this.'"
So when Bayside decided to go on tour with Taking Back Sunday instead of working on a new record, Raneri says the band wanted to put some new music out for its fans quickly, and "Covers" seemed like the perfect solution.
"We were able to finish it in six days," Raneri says. "And we're still able to show our fans some of our influences."
Choosing Elvis Costello's "Oliver's Army" was a no-brainer and for a band from Queens and Long Island; a Billy Joel song was also a must. Raneri says they went with "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" because the song always resonated with him.
"Billy Joel was just music I grew up on," he says, adding that The Ronettes' "Be My Baby," also on the EP, was also always on in his house. "They were the first songs I ever remember hearing. There are home movies with my family from like my second birthday, and his music is playing in the background."
Bayside -- Raneri, bassist Nick Ghanbarian, guitarist Jack O'Shea and drummer Chris Guglielmo -- decided to develop their cover versions as if the originals didn't exist. "That way, we'd pay homage to the original, but it would still sound like us," he says. "It was lots of fun to do, and we plan to do lots of them. That's why it's called 'Volume 1.'"
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