Virtual performances have become commonplace since the pandemic reared its ugly head in March. Let’s face it: all of them are well-intentioned, but not all of them are great. One musician who’s been doing it right us Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, a pioneer of the blast beat. His quarantine jams posted on his YouTube channel never fail to impress and delight.
After covering the likes of Rush, Run-DMC and Kiss, today the sticksman surprised many by unveiling a dreamy cover of Massive Attack’s 1998 trip-hop classic “Teardrop” featuring former Cocteau Twins vocalist Elizabeth Fraser.
Benante, who plays keyboards, drums and guitars on the cover, is joined by Suicidal Tendencies bassist Ra Diaz and vocalist Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies.
Their rendition stays true to the downtempo bliss of the original, a track that moved the drummer when he first heard it over two decades ago.
“Teardrop was one of those songs that I wish I’d Wrote, to this day it still gives me goosebumps. I always wanted to do a “remix” or “my version”. I had the chance during this Quarantine/Stay at home Situation to make that happen. I asked RA and Carla to Help make it happen. The video is not like the normal Quarantine Videos, I wanted it to be Dark and Artsy Farsty ( like an MTV vid).”