The Be Rad Blog

by Fatma

Lollapalooza starts Friday with the triumphant return of The Strokes. Across the world, the fab five have been busy wetting panties and thrilling school girls and boys alike while touring the festival circuit. They hit up the UK, Europe, Australia, and now that they’ve gotten all warmed up, it’s time to return home. Granted they are not playing in their hometown of New York, The Strokes’ performance at Lollapalloza will still be their first on US soil since late 2006. I doubt I’m alone when I say, “It’s about time!” 2006 was so long ago and for us Strokes fans, it truly seems like an eternity. Sure there are the side and solo projects from the boys – sans Nick – but that isn’t what we want: we want the collective that is The Strokes.

I’ve yet to hear or read anything about The Strokes playing new material on tour, but I hope that all will change with the stint in the United States. The 4th LP from The Strokes is currently in the works, but who knows when to expect its release. While there have been hints of early 2011, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it got pushed back even further. If that is the case, well, I’ve got some newish Strokes material to hold you off.

In a rather excellent interview with The Strokes’ front man Julian Casablancas, Julian brings up a peculiar thing: 8 bit covers of his songs. When I first read this, I couldn’t believe it. There are 8 bit chiptune covers of Julian Casablancas and I didn’t know about them? Holy hell! I did an instant Google search to discover exactly what JC was talking about. Over on Youtube there is a Japanese artist by the name of The Necoism and he is the 8 bit cover artist whom JC was talking about in that interview. Needless to say – his 8 bit covers are superb. Head over to his Youtube Channel to listen to not only Phrazes For The Young in 8 bit form but also a handful of The Strokes’ songs. You may remember me talking a little bit about remixes of The Strokes a little while back, well, here are some more to add to that tiny collection.

If you are a Nintendo nerd like me, these 8 bit covers of The Strokes are sure to tickle your fancy.

The Strokes – Alone, Together (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – Automatic Stop (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – 12:51 (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – The End Has No End (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – You Only Live Once (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – Juicebox (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – Red Light (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

The Strokes – Hawaii (The Necoism 8 Bit Remix)

zip file

Be Rad. Enjoy.

(via MIE)