Breaks Co-op vs Kid Rock

So this is pretty much the strangest story in NZ music this year (but there's still a month to go so hey...)

Kid Rock slides down a Youtube wormhole, as you do (while reportedly smoking a cigar and drinking whatever), and ends up watching a video by Breaks Co-op, for their song The Other Side, a local hit from 2005.

Rock says his reaction was "I was like, 'Oh my gosh! Their harmonies are as good as Crosby, Stills & Nash or anything I've ever heard'," he told Billboard.

 From NZ Herald: "It was a surprise," admits Andy Lovegrove, one of Breaks Co-Op's three members alongside Zane Lowe and Hamish Clark.

"He loved the tune and loved the Crosby, Stills & Nash reference. I guess he and his team started putting their version together and a little time after that his team contacted our management with a request to use the song."

The record label sent Rock's team the masters and the result is Back to the Otherside, a reimagining of Breaks Co-Op's original which features the same guitar hook and Lovegrove's chorus.

But there are some crucial differences, like the addition of Rock's rap-rock snarl, the inclusion of swear words and lines like: "It ain't easy growing up ... All the rage and stride for your dreams could seem handcuffed."

Rock says "I actually took their vocals and then used a drum machine for a little bit, but for the most part it's a live Nashville band in there playing to my rap and then flying in this chorus from this other band in New Zealand." 

Kid Rock last made news when he was rumoured to be playing at Trump's inauguration, as he had come out as a supporter of him. This didn't happen, but instead he released a line of merchandise endorsing Trump. He did play Obama's inauguration in 08.

Happy listening.