Ruff Majik, who may not have existed without the advent of Scott Pilgrim vs The World, pay homage to the cult classic with theatrical and surprisingly diverse covers of the fictional Sex-bob-omb’s “Threshold” and the equally fictional The Clash at Demonhead’s “Black Sheep.”
Frontman Johni Holiday credits the movie’s soundtrack as one of his greatest influences and the covers as love-letters to the Scott Pilgrim universe.
“Threshold” emanates from the more familiar side of Ruff Majik’s identity with no-nonsense, chugging rhythms laying the foundation and fuzzed out guitars paving the way for Holiday’s trademark searing vocals.
“Black Sheep”, on the other hand, comes with a theatricality seen less often in the stoner-rock outfit’s catalogue. A jangling, waltzy piano gives the song a funeral-march atmosphere heightened here and there by a sweeping string section, all while Holiday theatrically flexes the lower end of his range.
Though “Threshold” and “Black Sheep” find different ways to pay homage to their inspirations, the former staying mostly true to the original and the latter taking complete creative licence in its reimagining, they both serve as fitting tributes to a soundtrack that formed many a teenager’s musical aesthetic.
Feature pic supplied by artist
