With an intense work ethic and an outstanding catalog to boot, Tenement‘s recent Rolling Stone distinction of being one of “10 Great Modern Punk Bands” absolutely holds weight. The Appleton (and Milwaukee) outfit’s Predatory Headlights was one of the most ambitious and all-around best albums put out in Wisconsin—or anywhere, for that matter—last year. Since then, the fast-working trio released Bruised Music, Volume 2 last month and will formally release its self-titled LP next week.
At some point between constantly touring and writing all that material, Tenement singer-guitarist Amos Pitsch found time to record a cover of Squeeze’s 1982 single “Black Coffee In Bed.” Pitsch’s rendition is a hastened and deceivingly upbeat take on the ’80s British new wave act’s heartbreaking semi-hit. Even sadder than the lyrics about loss and longing is the fact that the days-old cover has fewer than 200 streams at the time this article was written. Change that and improve your day at the same time by listening to Tenement’s cover of “Black Coffee In Bed,” and see Pitsch’s other band, DUSK, play in support of Screaming Females at Cactus Club on Friday.