Male Bonding Pays Homage to Nirvana with a Viciously Cool Take on "Aneurysm"

Steve Gullick

The Nevermind anniversary tributes have died down a bit, but not quite completely. This morning the Sub Pop-signed British trio Male Bonding--who released their second album, the Reverb Monthly-recommended Endless Now, this past August--announced on Twitter that they'll be releasing a split 7-inch via Rough Trade with Erika M. Anderson, better known by stage name EMA, that consists of one Nirvana cover each. You've probably already heard EMA's screeching take on Nevermind's hidden track, "Endless Nameless"--it appeared on Spin's Newermind covers compilation back in July.

Male Bonding's version of "Aneurysm," the B-side to "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and one of my all-time favorite Nirvana songs, is just now surfacing though, and it happens to completely kick ass.

Male Bonding - Aneurysm by Brattwell Recordings

Male Bonding's John Arthur Webb has got a very different voice than Kurt Cobain's--it's light and smooth, and that difference adds just enough freshness to their "Aneurysm." But the whirlwind hurricane of rushing guitars and drums stays true to the original song's snarling, nerve-wracking spirit. Is it wrong to say this is one of Male Bonding's best songs? I'm saying it anyway.

This 7-inch won't be available until January 6 of next year. Don't forget about it though--it'll be limited to 500 copies. Be safe and pre-order it now.