A.V. Undercover

Watch A.V. Undercover

  • 2010
  • 1 Season

A.V. Undercover is a web series from The Onion that is all about music. The premise of the show is simple: a band or artist comes into The Onion's office and is tasked with selecting a song from a list of options to cover. The covers are all performed in a small, cramped room and are usually stripped down versions of the original. Most of the covers are acoustic, although some bands have brought in their own instruments to supplement the sound.

The show is hosted by John Teti, who introduces each band and provides some background information on the song they have chosen to cover. Teti is an engaging and knowledgeable host who clearly has a passion for music. He does a great job of putting the bands at ease and asking relevant questions about the song in question.

Each episode of A.V. Undercover follows a similar format. The band sits down with Teti and selects a song to cover. They then go into the recording room, which is often decorated with balloons or streamers to create a festive atmosphere. Once the band is set up and ready to go, they launch into the cover.

One of the best things about A.V. Undercover is the variety of bands and songs that are featured. The show has covered everyone from The Flaming Lips to Carly Rae Jepsen to Slayer. Some of the covers are faithful renditions of the original, while others take the songs in interesting new directions. One of the most memorable covers was The Walkmen's version of R.E.M.'s "Driver 8," which added a haunting, almost ethereal quality to the song.

A.V. Undercover is a great show for anyone who loves music. It's fascinating to see how different bands approach the task of covering another artist's work, and the result is often surprising and delightful. The stripped-down, intimate setting of the recording room allows the viewer to really focus on the music and appreciate the talent of the musicians involved.

One of the other great things about A.V. Undercover is that it's a great way to discover new music. While some of the bands featured on the show are well-known, others are relatively obscure. Watching a band you've never heard of cover a song you love can be a great way to find new music that you might not have stumbled upon otherwise.

Overall, A.V. Undercover is a fantastic web series that deserves a wider audience. The show's combination of great music, engaging hosts, and surprising covers makes it a must-watch for anyone who loves music. Whether you're a die-hard music fan or just someone who appreciates good cover songs, A.V. Undercover is definitely worth checking out.

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Seasons
The Walkmen Cover R.E.M.
24. The Walkmen Cover R.E.M.
August 31, 2010
The New York band tackles a Southern classic.
Tokyo Police Club Covers Billy Squier
23. Tokyo Police Club Covers Billy Squier
August 24, 2010
The Canadian lads pay homage to the '80s.
Cymbals Eat Guitars Cover Superchunk
22. Cymbals Eat Guitars Cover Superchunk
August 17, 2010
The New York kids tear up a Superchunk classic.
The Swell Season Covers Neutral Milk Hotel
21. The Swell Season Covers Neutral Milk Hotel
August 10, 2010
The Once duo does justice to the gorgeous "Two-Headed Boy."
Mates of State Cover the Replacements
20. Mates of State Cover the Replacements
August 3, 2010
Comedian Todd Barry joins Mates Of State for a peppy version of "I Will Dare."
Superchunk Covers the Cure
19. Superchunk Covers the Cure
July 27, 2010
Chapel Hill godfathers break their silence with "In Between Days."
Patrick Stump Covers the Wedding Present
18. Patrick Stump Covers the Wedding Present
July 20, 2010
The progressive-rocking New Yorkers strip way down and get gentle with The Smiths.
Coheed and Cambria Covers the Smiths
17. Coheed and Cambria Covers the Smiths
July 13, 2010
The progressive-rocking New Yorkers strip way down and get gentle with The Smiths.
Clem Snide Covers Journey
16. Clem Snide Covers Journey
July 6, 2010
Clem Snide tackles Journey's 1983 power ballad. Stick around for the big finish.
Frightened Rabbit Covers the Lemonheads
15. Frightened Rabbit Covers the Lemonheads
June 29, 2010
The Scottish band goes solo-acoustic and extra sad for "Confetti," a.k.a. the "kinda shoulda sorta" song.
Rise Against Covers Nirvana
14. Rise Against Covers Nirvana
June 22, 2010
The Chicago melodic-hardcore outfit doesn't have to travel too far to find its inner Nirvana.
The Antlers Cover Pink Floyd
13. The Antlers Cover Pink Floyd
June 15, 2010
A melancholy Brooklyn band tackles a melancholy classic.
Owen Pallett Covers Guided by Voices
12. Owen Pallett Covers Guided by Voices
June 8, 2010
The former Final Fantasy man delivers GBV via solo violin.
The Wedding Present Covers the Rolling Stones
11. The Wedding Present Covers the Rolling Stones
June 1, 2010
A classic British band covers a slightly more classic British band.
Motion City Soundtrack Covers Pavement
10. Motion City Soundtrack Covers Pavement
May 25, 2010
Minneapolis pop-punks drop a five-man acoustical jam of "Cut Your Hair."
Wye Oak Covers the Kinks
9. Wye Oak Covers the Kinks
May 18, 2010
Baltimore duo enlists the singer of Shearwater for their cover.
Ben Folds Covers Elliott Smith
8. Ben Folds Covers Elliott Smith
May 11, 2010
Ben Folds goes electric (piano) on this version of the late singer's "Say Yes."
The Clientele Covers M.I.A.
7. The Clientele Covers M.I.A.
May 4, 2010
A gentle British band tackles M.I.A.'s breakthrough, "Paper Planes."
Maritime Covers Depeche Mode
6. Maritime Covers Depeche Mode
April 27, 2010
The former Promise Ring guys chill with Depeche Mode (keytar included).
Retribution Gospel Choir Covers the Beach Boys
5. Retribution Gospel Choir Covers the Beach Boys
April 20, 2010
Members of Low embrace the widely reviled "Kokomo."
Justin Townes Earle Covers Bruce Springsteen
4. Justin Townes Earle Covers Bruce Springsteen
March 30, 2010
Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska classic doesn't need any window dressing.
Cursive Covers Starship
3. Cursive Covers Starship
March 30, 2010
Nebraska's finest attack Starship's earworm single.
Alkaline Trio Covers Archers of Loaf
2. Alkaline Trio Covers Archers of Loaf
March 30, 2010
Pop-punk masters Alkaline Trio strip down for an acoustic rendition of Archers Of Loaf's "Web In Front."
Fruit Bats Cover Hall and Oates
1. Fruit Bats Cover Hall and Oates
March 23, 2010
One of Daryl Hall and John Oates' songs gets a loving cover from Seattle's Fruit Bats.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 23, 2010