Two acts team up for double A-side featuring very different versions of the same song

Margate-based acts MSOM and CRABS have teamed up for a new double A-side single, which sees them both performing very different versions of the same song, ‘Inspector Morose’.

After writing the song, producer Michael Mikkelsen - aka MSOM - drafted in frontman of garage-punk band CRABS, Chris Anderson to lend his vocals to the track. With lyrics inspired by the minutia of life in a small seaside town - a niche CRABS regularly delve into - Mikkelsen wondered how CRABS themselves would tackle the song. So, rather than securing a traditional remix of the track, he approached the band to see if they would be interested in recording their own version. Fans of MSOM already, they jumped at the opportunity.

The result is two versions of the same song, linked by the same vocalist and lyrics but little else. To the casual observer it would be difficult to identify which came first, each with their own distinct sound and mood.

“The song is partly inspired by the high incidence of campervans on the streets of Margate, suggesting that one of many rites of passage for people moving here is to get one themselves, thereby making it even more difficult to find somewhere to bloody park,” says Mikkelsen of the lyrics. “It might also be inspired by the fact that the exceptionally high demand for such vehicles in the area has made it nigh on impossible to get hold of one without breaking the bank. Once the campervan theme had been established, it was mostly a case of coming up with other lyrics that rhymed, so no offence should be taken (I'm a big fan of chilli jam and have been known to enjoy an Aperol Spritz, albeit always off-camera).”

“Not wanting to front the song up myself, I turned to local punk legends CRABS - whose spot-on social commentary and profound cynicism is a constant source of inspiration - for vocal support from lead singer Chris,” he continues. “Given the considerable overlaps between the song lyrics and the universe typically explored by CRABS, having them cover the song seemed a no brainer.”

On the challenge of covering a song with a sound so far removed from their own, CRABS guitarist Stewart Turner comments: “Covering the electro-pop of the original track initially seemed a bit of a challenge. We’re more used to trotting out gnarly three chord garage punk songs, after all. In the end, we decided the best course of action was just to turn it into another gnarly three chord garage punk song. We did get our hands on a battered old 1960s Phillips organ in a nod to Michael’s keyboard prowess, though. We’re really happy with the result, and honoured to cover an artist who’s as irrationally narked by minor aspects of Margate living as we are.”