MMJ on covering Wilco tunes

NoVa_NoLa · Feb 27, 2010, 11:49 AM

http://www.spinner.com/2010/02/26/my-morning-jacket-wilco/

My Morning Jacket showed their penchant for interesting cover choices during their epic Bonnaroo show two years ago, but one band they probably won't cover any time soon is Wilco, the indie rockers often compared to MMJ.

It's not that the guys from MMJ don't like Wilco -- they do. They just have certain guidelines for the covers they do. "Were trying to find amazing songs that people don't really listen to anymore, who would hear them and go, 'Oh, my god -- why haven't I listened to this forever?" drummer Patrick Hallahan tells Spinner.

The 2008 Bonnaroo performance, which lasted nearly four hours, included covers of James Brown, Bobby Womack, Sly and the Family Stone, Erykah Badu, Motley Crue and Kool and the Gang -- all recognizable acts but not exactly current, which is why Wilco, still riding a wave of popularity, won't be covered by MMJ.

"They have to be out of rotation for a little while before we pick them up," Hallahan says. "We don't really do too many new covers."

Critics love to compare and contrast Chicago-based Wilco to Louisville's MMJ, so much that you'd think the two bands were rivals. But, Hallahan says, the bands are friendly and have even toured together.

"Those guys are so great as people and as musicians," he says. "The last few times I've seen them have been the band at their best. They are hitting on all cylinders. It's incredible. Just to watch them -- everybody's in a good mood, they're all firing off each other. It's really something to see."

Now that My Morning Jacket is preparing to hit the road again, you can expect more surprising covers. And if the past is any indication, the band will find inspiration in funk and soul.

"We're just trying to make a mix tape for a dance party or a celebration of sorts," Hallahan says.

ManNamedTruth · Feb 27, 2010, 01:37 PM

I can't believe they asked the band that. That's the equivalent of Stone Temple Pilots covering Pearl Jam, or Fleet Foxes covering Band Of Horses, or Widespread Panic covering Phish.

AMightyCaporal · Feb 27, 2010, 01:38 PM

nice read. I like the choices they have been making in terms of covers.

mlbrady89 · Feb 27, 2010, 03:15 PM

QuoteI can't believe they asked the band that. That's the equivalent of Stone Temple Pilots covering Pearl Jam, or Fleet Foxes covering Band Of Horses, or Widespread Panic covering Phish.

thats what i was thinking. sort of a waste of an article granted ill read anything mmj related

Bob Loblaw · Feb 27, 2010, 03:40 PM

I don't hear any similarities in Wilco's and MMJ's music. I've tried very hard to get into Wilco but I can't. Some of my best friends claim them to be the greatest band ever so I tried to get with it. I just couldn't. This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone considering them similar bands. I don't get it.

aMillionDreams · Feb 27, 2010, 03:57 PM

I like Wilco okay, but I don't see the comparison musically. But when I saw MMJ open for them I wasn't the only one who walked away saying the wrong band headlined.

el_chode · Mar 01, 2010, 07:58 AM

Heard an Umphrey's cover of "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and it was nice, but seemed odd and ultimately uninspired.

I like their response and reasoning though, because thanks to the guys I pulled out Maggot Brain again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

jones · Mar 01, 2010, 10:02 AM

I don't see the similarity.

Ghosts_on_TV · Mar 01, 2010, 10:16 AM

QuoteI don't see the similarity.

Its mostly lazy journalism (suprise suprise) because they are both known as "roots rock" with an experimental flair, not really that they have a similar sound.

jones · Mar 01, 2010, 11:18 AM

Quote
QuoteI don't see the similarity.

Its mostly lazy journalism (suprise suprise) because they are both known as "roots rock" with an experimental flair, not really that they have a similar sound.

Agreed. I wonder what Patrick was thinking during the interview. It was kind of pointless...

ALady · Mar 01, 2010, 03:53 PM

Y'all are missing the most important part of the article...

Quote
"We're just trying to make a mix tape for a dance party or a celebration of sorts," Hallahan says.

Awwww yeah 8-)

dcdub · Mar 02, 2010, 03:46 PM

Jim James could kick Jeff Tweedy's ass. I like Wilco, but MMJ is amazing. I really like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but other than that nothing from Wilco has stood out to me too much. I'm not saying the rest of their catalog blows, they just dont impress me like MMJ does.

AMightyCaporal · Mar 03, 2010, 09:37 AM

wilco is my second favorite band, they put on fantastic concerts

MMJ is my absolute favorite, they put on epic concerts

el_chode · Mar 03, 2010, 12:19 PM

I have to say that I'd go see a Wilco show just to see "at least that's what she said" over and over and over in the same way I'd go to an MMJ show to see Steam Engine and OBH and War Begun and Run Thru and Bermuda Highway and Strangulation and Lay Low over and over and over.

Still, "lazy journalism" is a great way to put it

mahg33ta · Mar 03, 2010, 05:15 PM

Well, I'm going to my first Wilco show next month, so soon I'll be able to see what all the fuss is about.

Pork Soda · Mar 18, 2010, 10:42 PM

QuoteWell, I'm going to my first Wilco show next month, so soon I'll be able to see what all the fuss is about.

you won't be sorry. there really is no similarity as everyone has pointed out. but as far as live performances, they are on the same level. i don't think there is a better live band on the planet right now than wilco or mmj, and i can't decide which show i prefer. going to see wilco twice in the next month and mmj at merriweather. gonna be a nice start to the spring.

...i will say however (regarding which band i prefer live), although i can't choose...mmj played the greatest show i've ever seen which no band has come close to topping. bonnaroo 2008...wilco is capable though.

goodjam2bn · Mar 19, 2010, 01:34 PM

QuoteI don't hear any similarities in Wilco's and MMJ's music. I've tried very hard to get into Wilco but I can't. Some of my best friends claim them to be the greatest band ever so I tried to get with it. I just couldn't. This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone considering them similar bands. I don't get it.

I don't hear the simularities either, not as with Neil Young and Galaxy 500, anyway. I realize Wilco had a more county sound early on, but evolved into a more indie alternative rock genre, but still wouldn't say they are similar in sound to MMJ.

DaFunkyPrecedent · Mar 20, 2010, 04:47 PM

can we expect covers at sasquatch?