Tainted, Like you

Okay, look, we know how most of these band bios start. It usually goes something like this: Imagine a band that mixes [insert well-known indie band here] with [insert famous pop artist here] sprinkled with a dash of [for intrigue, insert descriptive noun here]. And of course, it's usually complete bullshit. Unless, that is, you're talking about SMASH-UP DERBY.

That's because SMASH-UP DERBY indeed does do all of the above – quite literally. In fact, they're a totally kick-ass indie cover band – except that the singer thinks they're a pop band. So while the band is cranking out rockin' renditions of songs by Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand, the Sex Pistols, or Black Sabbath, the singer is belting out Madonna, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, or Pink - at the same time.

On paper, it sounds like a train wreck, but in actuality, it melds beautifully. With the band's skillful execution, these "hybrid songs" sound like they were always meant to be together. You'll never hear the originals the same way again.

Smash-Up Derby are regular players at San Fransisco bootleg institution Bootie, helping to whip the crowd into a frenzy with their live renditions of bootlegs. Four fantastic examples of their work are now available to download from their website www.smashupderby.com and if they don't get your head nodding, then I think you may be dead ;)