Everyone knows Elton John‘s famous song “Bennie and the Jets”. It’s always seemed like an A-typical hit for the songwriter; it’s a song about a fictional band that the track’s narrator is a fan of. It has a memorable chorus based more around John’s phrasing than a really hook-driven melody. It’s a syncopated piano-percussion tune that fits in perfectly with the 70’s.
Portland buzz & fuzz rock quintet Sunday State have their own unique take on the track. Formed in 2019, the group released an EP and then their debut album back in 2021. Since then, they have been releasing singles to tide fans over until they release their next album, the most recent being their take on the Elton John classic. Replacing the piano stomp with fuzzy guitars and a laissez-fair drum beat, the track takes on a much more psychedelic, free-wheeling air. It still has a classic rock spirit, but one that is much more loose and lo-fi than John’s original.
Hear that bands take on the song here!
The Indy Review 