Watch Mantar’s Powerful Reimagination of L7’s “Can I Run”

The-Pit-Filler-Image
Unsplash/Yvette de Wit
Published on:

Mantar, the German “black metal doom punk” duo have been making sleazy, destructive post-metal for years now. But prior to making a name for themselves in the metal world, they grew up in post-Cold-War-era Germany — and “uncool” Nineties alt-rock was their salvation. So they decided to pay homage to that time with their upcoming covers album, Grungetown Hooligans II, which includes their gnarly, dark, completely Mantar-ified take on songs by L7, The Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, Babes In Toyland, Mudhoney, Mazzy Star, and Seven Year Bitch.

The album is out today, and the band posted a dark, powerful video for their cover of L7’s “Can I Run,” starring drummer Erinc Sakarya — wearing a dress and eating a whole cake alone, which the band says is a response the homophobia they’ve seen in the comments of their social media pages, as well as a way to speak up about violence against women.

The band posted on Facebook:

“Dear people,
For the third single of GRUNGETOWN HOOLIGANS II which finally drops worldwide today we’ve picked a rather dark yet powerful song. This song is called ‘Can I Run’ and is originally from mighty L7 Official / Donita Sparks who influenced us a whole lot when we were youngsters. The lyrics are aggressive, hostile, sad, and most importantly from a female perspective. Violence against women makes us sick to our stomachs and we can’t even begin to imagine the circumstances that women and any persons who are regularly victims of violence and hate experience not only today, but throughout history. Also we thought it is an appropriate statement for every single person asking us if we were gay for every picture of us holding hands or being somewhat affectionate towards each other. And even though being in a band with just one other person can often feel like a marriage, we are what you would consider ‘straight’ men. Pretty much by accident. So who are we to speak up? Well, we dont really know, but who are we if we don’t?! So, sorry for the dark vibes on a Friday but we love the song, the band and you. And yes, Erinc ate the whole fucking cake. Peace.”

Watch the video below.

Grungetown Hooligans II is out now.