Why WA Does ‘Like A Version’ Better Than Anyone Else

Perth indie rockers Methyl Ethel dropped by the triple j studios for Like A Version yesterday, reworking Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me A River into pure gold, which got us thinking about the other classic WA performances at the station.

From Tired Lion mashing Violent Soho and Smashing Pumpkins beautifully to Eskimo Joe taking on Gotye with a computer from the dark ages, here are some other Like A Version efforts that prove WA does it best.

Tired Lion

Tired Lion have quickly become one of the station’s — and Australia's - most-loved artists, and with good reason. Fresh off the back of a massive tour around the country with Spiderbait, we look back on their Violent Soho/Smashing Pumpkins cover. One of many impressive feats the Perth four-piece tackled in 2015

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San Cisco

Another effort that deserves a mention is San Cisco’s take on Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, featuring bongos and a hint of a Pharrell Williams track – a clever addition considering he does vocals on the original.

Eskimo Joe

A “very old computer” by the name of Fred joined Eskimo Joe at triple j for their Like A Version and was programmed to talk Kimbra’s parts on Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know. “It’s not how big your RAM is, it’s what you do with it,” Stuart MacLeod said about the specs of the 1986 machine. Fred turns 30 this year.

Tame Impala

It’s no surprising one of Perth's biggest exports had to be upgraded to a bigger studio for their take on Kylie Minogue's Confide In Me, and their rendition is just a massive as you’d hope. Anything Kevin Parker and co touch does indeed turn to gold.

Jebediah

One of the best things about Perth favourites Jebediah is just how genuine they are, and it’s all over their faces when they stopped by for an original and The Chemical Brothers’ Go.

Adam James (Emperors)

Taking on Like A Version with nothing more than a Batman jumper and acoustic guitar, Adam James from Emperors – who broke up last year – did a mighty fine job of Florence & The Machine's Shake It Out. It was simple and very effective.