Today's post is not an actual soundtrack but rather an interpretation of a soundtrack. West Side Story, in my opinion, is the greatest musical work of the twentieth century. I've played the show twice, seen the movie at least a hundred times and listened to the original soundtrack album about five times that. Whenever someone does a "songs from West Side Story" album, I usually listen to it and deem it no where near the soundtrack. The only one that ever caught my ear was one by a punk band named Schlong. Schlong first came into being around 1988. The band performed in the Oakland County area often, mostly at warehouse parties under various names. The name Schlong did not appear until sometime later, taken from the name of a cat the band saw often. In 1996, they released their one and only record, "Punk Side Story", a drunken punk rock version of West Side Story. Schlong basically got together with a whole bunch of their friends and decided to record a drunken, spastic version of West Side Story in its entirety. The results are just hysterical, with not one stone left unturned. Schlong and company retell this modern day Romeo and Juliet story, only with more of an absurd twist. Everything from their sloppy rendition of the "Jet Song" to the male/female dual screaming of "Tonight" to "I Feel Pretty," which is led by an off key baritone and screechy vocals, can all be found here. But the highlight is "Dance at the Gym," which jumps from sloppy speed metal to danceable ska to country to a slow-dance love ballad. This deserves a listen by everyone who is a fan of West Side Story. Which is why I present it to you today. Here is "Punk Side Story". Enjoy!
Schlong-Punk Side Story
