Monday, June 1, 2015

Battle of the Bands: RUN LIKE HELL



Well its June 1. June is a month for Dads, Grads and Grooms. Yep, seems a bad month for men of all ages. They are graduating, leaving behind the comfortable caretaking of Mom and learning to fend for themselves; taking the plunge into marriage, making the commitment to think of another before satisfying their own needs; or celebrating the joys (trials) of fatherhood, leaving behind the last vestige of their own childish nature. Or so all women hope.

My advice: RUN LIKE HELL

The concept behind Pink Floyd's RUN LIKE HELL song is that of the anti-hero.
The lyrics are explicitly threatening, directed at the listener, one with an "empty smile" and "hungry heart", "dirty feelings" and a "guilty past", "nerves in tatters" as "hammers batter down your door." Even the act of lovemaking is doomed, for "if they catch you in the back seat trying to pick her locks", the results will be fatal.. . .Sound effects are used to create a sense of paranoia, with the sound of cruel laughter, running footsteps, car tyres skidding, and a loud scream. (source)
Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Distinguished by their use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, extended compositions and elaborate live shows, they are one of the most commercially successful and musically influential groups in the history of popular music. (source)

Fun fact: When they first recorded this, it was a lot longer. They had to cut it down so it would fit on the album. There was a limited amount of space on vinyl records. (read more song facts here)

Naturally, anyone who has ever listened to a Pink Floyd song is groaning right now, complaining they do not have 8-10 minutes to spend listening to one of their songs, let alone two versions. Lucky for you Pink's version is not on the voting docket for this Battle of the Bands installment. You can listen to the 1979 The Wall album version here if you are interested. I prefer the Pulse Live version, of course, but by that concert three of the original five members, including co-writer Roger Waters, were no longer performing members of the band..

Lyrics:
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run,
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run.
You better make your face up in
Your favorite disguise.
With your button down lips and your
Roller blind eyes.
With your empty smile
And your hungry heart.
Feel the bile rising from your guilty past.
With your nerves in tatters
When the cockleshell shatters
And the hammers batter
Down the door.
You'd better run.

Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run,
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run.
You better run all day
And run all night.
Keep your dirty feelings
Deep inside.
And if you're taking your girlfriend
Out tonight
You'd better park the car
Well out of sight.
Cause if they catch you in the back seat
Trying to pick her locks,
They're gonna send you back to mother
In a cardboard box.
You better run.

"Hey, open up! HaHaHaHaHaaaaaaaaaa!
[sound of car skidding, followed by loud scream]
"Hammer, Hammer"

RUN LIKE HELL has been covered by Canadian heavy metal band Kittie (album Oracle); jam band The Disco Biscuits; violinist Andrej Kurti and cellist Victor Uzur (album The Entertainers); and Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle (album Last Desire).

For today's contenders, I'm pitting Kittie against Mastercastle

Kittie became one of the last DIY bands that emerged from the underground and become international Pop Stars almost overnight. Their debut album was released during a time when the old model of the music industry began to decline and die out. The band always embraced new ways of promoting and distributing music. Although the band is somewhat historically lumped into the late 1990s/early 2000s "Nu Metal" scene, they proved they were worth their salt by continually touring and becoming better musicians with the release of every album. The band managed to evolve and stay vital with every new line up. They are considered to be one of the most important Female Metal bands in history and especially for Generation Y. (source)




Mastercastle were founded in January 2008 by the guitar player Pier Gonella and the singer Giorgia Gueglio. The pair had several music projects in the past and wanted to try something different. No fixed genre was chosen with the emphasis being on producing music in a natural way.

The result was a natural mix of the virtuoso guitar style of Pier with the individual female voice of Giorgia Gueglio which worked well together. The pair wrote a great number of songs and recorded a 4 songs promo to gain label interest. In the meantime the line-up was completed by the drummer Alessandro Bissa aka Bix and the bassist Steve Vawamas; their joining changed the initial project into a real band and the name Mastercastle was settled on for the new real band. (source)




This post is part of the bi-monthly BATTLE OF THE BANDS blog hop hosted by Admiral Ninja Stephen T McCarthy and that rascally blond chick Far Away Series. Please leave a comment and vote for either Kittie or Mastercastle with a reason why you chose the contender, then bust out the Icky (Reno beer) and visit the list of participants here to view more battles or to post your own battle. No commitment, all newcomers are welcome. Pants and chipotle sauce optional.


31 comments:

Blogoratti said...

Hello and happy June.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Eight to ten minutes? Amateurs! Dream Theater and Rush have songs that push the thirty minute mark.
Interesting choice. Both versions are good, but Mastercastle is a little too close to the original version. Kittie pushes the limits. And you have to admire a woman who can growl like that!
Kittie gets my vote.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Donna, Pink Floyd is a big name in the industry, but I'm not very familiar with the music unless it's a huge hit, so this song is off my radar completely. Kittie is too hard rock to suit my taste and that thing they do with with the vocals that sorta sounds like they are possessed by a demon (is this what Alex is calling growling?)is a bit too much for me. Mastercastle doesn't scream at me vocally or instrumentally, so that in itself makes it a winner. However, it's not enough to get me to buy the cover. Their version set my body in motion while I listened, so I give them a thumbs up and cast my vote in favor of Mastercastle! Nice battle!


Mad World #BOTB

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love Pink Floyd! Although The Wall is not my favorite album. (Toss up between Momentary Lapse of Reason and Dark Side of the Moon.)

Both versions were interesting with women singing the lead. Kittie tried something different though and I appreciate that. I vote for Kittie.

A Beer for the Shower said...

I... am not a big fan of the growling. I'll leave it at that. Mastercastle earned my vote by default.

Pat Hatt said...

That is some umm growl lol I'll go with #2, both weren't bad though, just the growling.

Rachna Chhabria said...

June is the month to get hitched. Lots of people get married in June. Happy June to you :)

Dixie@dcrelief said...

Ooh, Donna - I like this song! To me, Mastercastle seems too much like PF... and that's okay. But I really like Kitte's music, and this song is a favorite! Still, both versions are great.

My vote goes to Kittie!

Debbie D. said...

Interesting battle! The contenders were both new to me. MasterCastle's rendition sounded similar to the original, but I did like the female vocalist. Kittie's version was so different! I like some Metal, but this was a bit too hardcore for me, although again, the female vocalist was good. Put me down for MasterCastle. ☺

Arlee Bird said...

Kittie does a fairly interesting job with the song, but maybe it's a bit harsh for my taste.

Mastercastle's version has more fluidity and a tastier instrumental sound as far as I'm concerned.

Both versions have some degree of annoyance factor in the vocals, but not entirely bad.

My final vote is cast for Mastercastle.

Interesting match-up.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Robin said...

We all have genres of music we prefer over others. Metal really isn't my favorite, thought there are some songs I really like. My ex-husband was a Kittie fan, so I'm familiar (although not overly, because they've always been too hard-core for me). Turns out, they still are. Not a fan of the "growling" that Alex referred to in his comment.

Master Castle wasn't bad. Not something I'd upload and listen to regularly, but not bad. Was the female the guest singer? If so, that was a good choice. It added another layer to the song. Give my vote to Master Castle.

Angela Brown said...

Since I'm not a Pink Floyd fan (though I'm aware of them being seriously huge in the music industry), I don't have their original to compare to when it comes to today's match up.

I'm going with Kittie because I seemed to jive with their style more.

Cherdo said...

Here, Kittie, Kittie! They rock it best.

Anonymous said...

Kittie, absolutely!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Donna ... I know Pink Floyd have reached dizzy heights in the music industry .. pushing the boundaries - but I wasn't a fan back then and would listen to the popular tunes now ... but couldn't get my head into this one - either version .. cheers Hilary

Stephen T. McCarthy said...


"Oh, Donna, Oh-Oh, Donna, Oh Oh Oh..." ~

Nowadays, you are posting some of the most amusing BOTB commentary (in blog bits and in comment sections) that the world has ever seen. I love the free entertainment you are providing. Keep it up, Donna. You are a delight!!!

>>... leaving behind the last vestige of their own childish nature. Or so all women hope.

Ha! Well, a gal can dream, can't she?

>>... Admiral Ninja Stephen T McCarthy and that rascally blond chick Far Away Series.

I'm the Admiral who started his own mutiny, and that FAE, she really is wascally, like a smarty-pants wabbit!

>>... then bust out the Icky (Reno beer)...

WOO-HOO! Donna, you done been payin' good attention to the details. And as a matter of fact, I busted out some 'ICKY' just last night. Hokey-Smoke, that's dern good beer what really hits the spot!

>>... Pants and chipotle sauce optional.

Glad to hear that because I hate pants to the same degree I love chipotle peppers. In fact, that's all I'm wearing as I type this comment: chipotle peppers. Whew! Is it just me, or is it gettin' HOT and smoky in here?

Of these two versions, my vote goes quickly and easily to MASTERCASTLE. They sounded more "musical" and closer to the Pink Floyd original (my favorite fer sure). The first band somehow made me feel like I'd "shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" and then been immediately transported straight down to that "hot and smoky" place where there's no good beer and even the chipotle peppers taste like Brussels sprouts. (Yeah, you know the place I have in mind.)

Loved yer blog bit, my friend. Keep 'em coming!

~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'

D.G. Hudson said...

Well, to be honest, I wouldn't normally listen to either one, too much metal jars my nerves, but I did want to head bop with the second version so I'll vote for them - Mastercastle!

Pink Floyd however would have won flat out. . .we have some of their original music.

dolorah said...

Hey Blogo :)

Alex: I almost didn't post them b/c of that "growl". Yes, weird from a girl. I'm a fan of long songs.

Cathy: PF was my fav band forever, and still ranks up there for me. RUN is just awesome; and The Wall album was my house cleaning music. I worry about a demon-possessed female too, but I like heavy metal so I think I'll check out more of their songs. MC did a great job with the song.

Dianne: yeah, tough choice. I loved all the albums; I have them all.

Beers: not an Epica fan then huh?

Pat: not a fan of growling? I am shocked oh plaything of Cats.

Hi Rachna :)

Dixie: cool, a Pink fan. Awesome. MC really did well in this version b/c of the similarity. Aside from the screech Kittie sounds pretty good too.

DD: I had not heard these bands before either. I think Kittie is more hard core than MC, but this one song is not easy to judge. PF wasn't happy about the disco-dance beat to it at first, but that beat made it popular at the clubs, which made it a hit single.

Lee: I would like to see what Mastercastle's studio version sounded like. I liked both also.

Robin: no, the female is a member of Mastercastle band, lead singer I do believe. She did an excellent job with this. I think I'd be unlikely to download either band too, except on a song by song basis.

Angela: PF would have been too easy a win. I'm glad you liked Kittie though.

Cherdo: lol, I like that :)

Thanks Madilyn :)

Hilary: thanks for stopping by. Get lots of rest on your break.

Admiral Johnny Sir: let me warn you, don't play that Oh Donna song in a battle. I despise the song and will lose my newfound sense of humor! The chipotle peppers sure raise the heat in here, lol. And of course the DogG would vote against the Cats. Hang loose and free in front of the snow balls.

dolorah said...

DG: Nice to see ya around DG, thanks for stopping by. I was pleased at how close MC got also.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I listened to some Pink Floyd back in the eighties, but it never really caught on with me. I guess I'm more of a pop music kind of guy (Justin Timberlake). I don't know why. Maybe it's the whole "gay" gene.

Michele at Angels Bark said...

I liked Mastercastle best, even though Kittie changed it up the most. I just didn't like her screaming. It was too hard for my taste. So I'll vote Mastercastle on this one. Love Pink Floyd. Good thing they weren't in the lineup, huh? Mastercastle sounds most like Pink's version for sure.
Michele at Angels Bark

Mary B said...

My vote goes to Mastercastle. It was just easier to listen to.

John Holton said...

I'm not familiar with this song, so I'm going on which one I liked better, and that's Mastercastle. The fuzztone on Kittie's version just doesn't do it for me.

Janie Junebug said...

Mastercastle scares me (I am sensitive). I vote for Kittle.

Love,
Janie

Birgit said...

Oh I am not into heavy metal at all so neither appeals to me but the Kitties were just too dark and heavy for me so I go for Mastercastle. They seem to have more range even though the lead singer reminded me of those nasty little alients from thr movie "Galaxy Quest" when they kept saying "Rock, Rock, Rock" Sad little me kept hearing that when the lead vocal sang but they still get my vote:)

Stephen T. McCarthy said...


>>... don't play that Oh Donna song in a battle. I despise the song...

"No, Donna, No-No, Donna, No No No...!"

Don't say that, Donna! Don't say that!

You mean you don't even like (Link:->) The Hollywood musical version?

Oh, Donna, No-No, Donna, we had a beautiful thing going. The Admiral was starting to fall in love with his ship, the U.S.S. DONNA, but then you had to go and capsize the whole relationSHIP!

I am crushed. I think I shall take a lifeboat and row ashore
To live on a deserted island forevermore.

~ Admiral D-FensDogG

Misha Gerrick said...

I prefer Master Castle's version. :-)

dolorah said...

Mike: I know lots of people who listen to Pop that are not gay. Even I like it, on occasion. I'm crushed you didn't connect with Pink Floyd though. Oh the psychedelic conversations we are missing out on. *sighs*

Michelle: yeah, the screaming got to me too. Yay, a PF fan.

Thanks Mary; welcome to BotB

John; good you listened to just the two contenders :)

Janie: MC scares you? With those delicate tones? Hmm . .

Birgit: little green aliens huh? I'll have to watch Galaxy Quest again, lol.

Saint McC: "Don't go breaking my heart!" We were destined to be together by Starship. Just, don't sing that aweful, horrid song. Not enough ethanol to survive that, even on a deserted island. There will be cake on that island, yes?

Thanks Misha.

VR Barkowski said...

I’m not a big fan of female vocals, but Kittie gets my vote. While I do prefer the Mastercastle vocal, I thought the instrumental was a soulless bore with neither the intelligence of the Floyd nor the grit and backbone of Kittie. Run Kittie, run!

VR Barkowski

Shannon Lawrence said...

I think I'm going with Kittie on this one.

Mike said...

I liked Kittie's version better, made it more their own.