The FADER’s transgender charity covers compilation FADER & Friends Volume 1 is out now, available exclusively on Bandcamp until December 1, 2023. 100% of the proceeds go towards the Transgender Law Center, Mermaids, and Rainbow Railroad. Throughout the month of November, we’re speaking to the artists who contributed to the 44-song collection about the songs they covered.
Being Dead's 2023 project When Horses Run had an irresistible vibe few indie rock acts could match. Across its 13-song, there's an unmistakable sense that nothing's off the table as it incorporates surf-rock, jangle-pop, jazz, and krautrock into their sound. Their cover of The Equals' "Michael and the Slipper Tree" is made with the same communal, anything-goes spirit — its janky, garage-rock singalong sounds like a midsummer night's hang in an overcrowded rehearsal space.
Listen to the song below and buy the full album on Bandcamp. Scroll down to read Being Dead on the original song and their cover.
What's your first memory of this song?
Hanging out in a friend’s kitchen collectively agreeing that it's a hit. I mean, it’s an undeniable banger from the first second.
Why did you decide to record it as your cover?
Well, it’s a fun little rock n’ roll song that gets our blood pumping every time we hear it. We love how rowdy it feels! It’s frisky and free – it feels like a house party. That’s why we thought it’d be a good tune to churn out of the home studio – pack the friends around the mic and let ‘er rip! Also, love the story it tells <3
What does this song/band mean to you personally?
Within every one of us is a slipper tree blooming with gorgeous footwear for all the world to see and enjoy. It’s important not to lose sight of that, ya know?
What's another song you'd love to cover and why?
“If We Ever Needed The Lord Before ( We Sure Do Need Him Now)” by Take 6. Talk about the peak of human performance. It would be so tough to pull off, but what a fun mountain to climb!!! We were also thinking about doing a Louvin Brothers song or something from the catalog of outsider legend, B.J. Snowden! Next time.