Battle of the Bands: Train vs. Foo Fighters

It's always a surprise to go to a concert and see a band play covers of other people's music. A few months ago I saw of Montreal and the last two songs they played were, Take Me Out, by Franz Ferdinand and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Needless to say, everyone went nuts when they played Smells Like Teen Spirit and some sweaty, psychedelic moshing occurred. It was most righteous. The songs were unexpected, but in no way clashed with the concert that preceded it. Good times were had by all, even by a group of girls who didn't look a day over 12. What possessed them to go to an of Montreal show is beyond me. How did they even know about them? It boggles my mind.

In 2008, the Foo Fighters played Wembley Stadium and covered a couple Led Zeppelin songs with some assistance from Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. It was one of those concerts I would have given my left nut to see. I didn't get to see it live, but I did get to watch it on YouTube with both nuts intact. They played Rock n' Roll and Ramble On. I thought Taylor's vocals on Rock n' Roll were closer to Plant's than Dave's scream-o version of Ramble On. All in all, not a bad little set.

While watching the Foo Fighters on YoutTube I saw, over to the left side of my screen, a link to Train covering Whole Lotta Love, Ramble On, and Going to California. This was a big WTF moment for me. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd see soft rock sensation, Train, do a cover of Zeppelin. Well, this was an offer I couldn't refuse. I just had to see how Train frontman, Pat Monahan, compared to Led Zeppelin's, Robert Plant.

The man has got some pipes. He held his own, as did the band, and made the songs sound fresh and vibrant. And, as much as I love the Foo Fighters, I think Train did a better cover of Ramble On, even without the aid of Page and Jones. To prove it to you, I'm posting the links to the vids. I'd embed them, but I'm worried it would slow down the loading speed of the blog.


Foo Fighters- Ramble On
Foo Fighters- Rock n' Roll

Train- Ramble On
Train- Whole Lotta Love
Train- Going to California

WOWZA, WOWZA, WOWZA!
BONUS VIDEO!!!!
Train covering Aerosmith's, Dream On

Clothing wise, I think Pat Monahan looked ridiculous in the black tank top and ultra tight jeans, but I guess that's what the kids are into these days. Also, I think on at least one of these videos, it's Pat Monahan and some backing band, not Train.