Calpurnia Announce Breakup, New Projects

Calpurnia, the indie rock band fronted by Stranger Things‘s Finn Wolfhard, are calling it a day.

The Canadian quartet who were one of the bands on last year’s Prenatt’s Picks list took to Instagram to announce their end. In their statement, the group wrote:

“Dear Friends,

It’s bittersweet to share this news, but we want to let you know that our time playing together as Calpurnia has come to an end. We are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received over the past few years. What seemed to us like an unimaginable reality came to be, and we have been thrilled to share the ride with you. It’s been an honour and a gift to meet, work with, and play for so many wonderful people. We feel lucky and hugely grateful for the many fantastic opportunities that came our way. We’re all going to be starting fresh chapters in our lives: new projects, new music, new creative ventures, and new experiences to come. One last giant thank you to our friends at Royal Mountain Records, our manager Bix, our families, and especially our amazing fans. We’ll never forget you!

– Calpurnia”

Calpurnia formed in 2017 but first came together when Wolfhard and drummer Malcolm Craig met on the set of PUP’s video for “Guilt Trip” in 2014. Dazed Digital said that “guitarist Ayla Tesler-Mabe was a friend from rock camp and bassist Jack Anderson was recruited for a charity fundraiser.” They dropped their only EP Scout earlier this year on Royal Mountain Records (Hollerado, Mac DeMarco, Pottery.) The band have also covered songs by Twin Peaks, New Order, Pixies, Television, and Weezer. Speaking of Weezer, they invited Calpurnia to appear in their video for “Take On Me,” originally by a-ha.

The band also played festivals like Fiji Rock Festival 2019 (American Football, CHON, Gary Clark Jr.,) Shaky Knees Music Festival 2018 (Beck, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, The Struts,) Osheaga 2018 (Arctic Monkeys, Lights, Two Feet,) and Riot Fest 2018 (Alkaline Trio, The Dangerous Summer, Underoath.)

The 20 Weirdest Covers Ever Recorded (Honorable Mentions)

We ain’t done yet!

There are some covers that I had in mind for the two previous articles but they wouldn’t have worked. So now, they’re going to have their time in the spotlight.

Just like last time, only recorded covers will count. No live stuff. That’s another list for another day. Please enjoy.

1. The Devil Wears Prada – Sour Breath (Originally by Julien Baker)

I won’t lie, The Devil Wears Prada can do a pretty mean cover. Years ago they covered Big Tymers’ “Still Fly” (Note: it’s a fucking banger) for Punk Goes Crunk and showed us that their covers rule. And in 2018, they solidified that by covering singer/songwriter and diehard TDWP fan Julien Baker’s “Sour Breath”. With the inclusion of drums and a heavier atmosphere, TDWP sound better than ever on the track and I’m madly in love with this version. Stop reading this article and check out their cover now. I mean it.

2. Reel Big Fish – We Close Our Eyes (Originally by Oingo Boingo)

Sometimes ska doesn’t make a good cover. For Reel Big Fish, their covers reign supreme from the happy version of When In Rome’s “The Promise” to the energetic-as-fuck version of A-ha’s “Take On Me”. But for the Oingo Boingo tribute album Dead Bands Party: A Tribute To Oingo Boingo, they took on the classic hit “We Close Our Eyes” and…oh boy. With additions of reggae to their ska-punk vibe, RBF don’t shine as bright on this comp which also features The Aquabats, Plain White T’s, Finch, Hellogoodbye, and The Matches and Zebrahead playing “Violent Love” together. Sadly it’s the weakest cover on the album and it needed some retouching.

3. August Burns Red – You Vandal (Originally by Saves The Day)

Looks like metalcore and pop punk can go hand in hand after all. On their split 7″ with Canadian post-hardcore legends Silverstein (they covered The Get Up Kids’ “Coming Clean), ABR channel in their inner pop punk kids and cover a classic tune by New Jersey’s finest Saves The Day, and it works out well. Jake Luhrs’ screams fit the hardcore punk style of the song and makes me question which version I like more: the original or the cover.

4. Volbeat – Rebound (Originally by Teenage Bottlerocket)

No you didn’t read that wrong. Danish heavy metal band Volbeat covered Wyoming based punk band Teenage Bottlerocket’s song “Rebound”. Volbeat change nothing about their cover and make it sound like the original. But I just want to point out that Volbeat, goddamn Volbeat, covered Teenage Bottlerocket. That’s actually amazing. Props to Volbeat for doing that.

5. The Entire TV/EP by Less Than Jake

In 2010, ska punk band Less Than Jake made an 11 and a half minute long EP dedicated to TV shows and commercials. Theme songs from shows like iCarly, That ‘70s Show, Animaniancs, Malcolm In The Middle, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, appear next to commercial by Hungry Hungry Hippos, Toys “R” Us, FreeCreditReport.com, McDonald’s, and Kit Kat. It’s a fun album that is filled with the most bizarre songs any band could cover. Catch me skankin’ to iCarly.