Written and produced by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 for the group’s third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland (opens in new tab), “1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” has been widely praised by guitar players.
“His studio versions of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” are unreal,” Joe Satriani told Guitar Player. “I would listen to that stuff for hours, and it would unlock these desires in me to try and create – with my own music – the experience of being a listener and getting off.”
I always thought Hendrix was cool, but when I heard that song it instantly became my favorite
Emily Kokal
“I didn’t know he wrote riffs like that,” said Warpaint’s Emily Kokal. “I always thought Hendrix was cool, but when I heard that song it instantly became my favorite.”
Now, Australian rockers Tropical Fuck Storm have honored the high priest of psychedelic rock’s original recording with their own epic version.
Described in the band’s press release as “an acid trip nosedive into another dimension,” TFS’s rendition of “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” is recommended listening for those Hendrix fans with distinctly lysergic leanings.
Tropical Fuck Storm singer/guitarist Gareth Liddiard describes their version of “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” as, “an attempt to right the recent wrongs perpetrated against Hendrix's classic Angel by some idiot from One Direction doing a karaoke-style ‘tribute (opens in new tab)’ for Jimi's 80th birthday.”
Appearing on the band’s new EP of covers, Submersive Behaviour (opens in new tab), this timeless Hendrix track showcases Liddiard on vocals, guitars and drums along with fellow singers Erica Dunn and Fiona Kitschin and drummer Lauren Hammel. The track guest stars Dan Kelly and Aaron Cupples.
Also featuring a cover of the Stooges’ “Ann (opens in new tab),” Tropical Fuck Storm’s Submersive Behaviour is available from today via Joyful Noise Recordings.
Order Tropical Fuck Storm’s Submersive Behaviour here (opens in new tab).
