Introduction
While The Protomen are best known for their original works, the band has also added a startling variety of covers to their touring repertoire over the years. These covers are performed with the same ferocity as their own music, and are just as well received by the fanbase.
Themes and preferences
The covers the group performs appear to be selected for thematic appropriateness to the group's underlying concept. Songs about heroism, struggle, resistance and sacrifice dominate the cover roster. In recent years an important development has been the appearance of a sub-theme of love; songs like Bonnie Raitt's Total Eclipse of the Heart and Huey Lewis' Power of Love reveal the passionate heart of the group hidden under all that grim facepaint and black clothing- both for their audience and for the joy they take in performance.
This page is an attempt to catalogue all of the covers performed by the band (with video links whenever possible) and will be in a constant state of update for the obvious reasons. By no means is it an exhaustive detailing of every performance of every cover. Some of the dates assigned as first performed are approximate or best guesses based on available footage. If you know of covers or videos missing from this list, please contact the wiki-editor immediately. Thanks to all the fans who've helped out with dates and titles!
2007
The Trooper by Iron Maiden
MTAC Nashville, TN, April 14, 2007. Video credit: stickworldmayor0601
See also the performances at Spazzatorium Nov 3, 2007 and in Richmond Nov 4, 2007
"Glat Danzatar" or "The Rattlesnake" - a three-way mashup of Danzig's Mother and Pat Benetar's Invincible with elements of Act 1
Spazzatorium, Nov. 3, 2007. Video credit: Pearljammin1809
Also performed at A&G Ohio 2008, February 9, 2008.
I Would Die 4 U - Prince
We've heard rumors of this song being performed at The End in Nashville in November or December of 2007. No video footage of this performance is currently available. PLEASE contact the editor immediately if you have any!
Mr. Roboto - Styx
The End (?), Nashville, December 1, 2007
One of the group's oldest-standing covers. See performances at A&G Ohio 2008 Nerdapalooza 2009, PAX Jamspace 2010, Nerdapalooza 2010
2008
Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Performed at Spazzatorium, May 10, 2008. Video credit: Pearljammin1809.
See also the performance at Mercy Lounge in 2008 - guest starring Gumby! Aug, 2008
Silent Running by Mike and the Mechanics
12th and Porter, July 12, 2008, Nashville TN. Video credit: steffyc84
Usually paired with early form of Breaking Out; not sure they have played this song in its entirety.
See also performances from BitGen 2008, August 16, 2008, and NerdPow! Nov 14, 2009
No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper
STUDIO RELEASE produced by Alan Shacklock. November 8, 2008
Originally released as the B-side of the 7" Father of Death single.
Was performed live at the Blue Star in CA August 21, 2011. No video footage of this performance is currently available.
Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy.
12th & Porter, Nashville, TN, Nov., 8, 2008.
No video footage of this performance is currently available.. PLEASE contact the editor immediately if you have any!
See also performances from Daigacon 2009, March 13, 2009, and A&G Ohio, March 12-14, 2010.
The Final Countdown by Europe
12th and Porter, Nashville, Nov. 2008 Video credit: leahnidas
2009
We Don't Need Another Hero by Tina Turner
Mercy Lounge, Nashville, Sept. 25, 2009 for Act II release:
No video footage of this performance is currently available. PLEASE contact the editor immediately if you have any!
Because the Night by Patti Smith
Mercy Lounge, Nashville, Sept. 25, 2009 for Act II release
No video footage of this performance is currently available. PLEASE contact the editor immediately if you have any!
See also performances from Littlefield for CMJ October 19, 2010 and Danbury, CT, Oct. 24, 2010.
Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet
The Pond in Franklin, TN October 31, 2009. Video credit: AtypicalAMA.
See also the performances from Jamspace at PAX Prime, March 2010.
Also performed August 24, 2011 at Lola's Room in Portland, OR and in Winnipeg, Canada on Sept 1, 2011.
I Drove All Night by Roy Orbison
Nerdpow! 2009, November 14, 2009. Video credit: lalalei2001
Also performed in San Japan 2010, July 10, 2010 and Gainesville, FL, July 16 2010, and in Columbia, SC July 23, 2010
2010
Hold the Line by Toto.
Performed at 12th and Porter, Feb 28, 2010. Video credit: fjossette.
See also the August 21, 2011 performance at Blue Star in CA.
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Raitt/Jim Steinman
Beat Kitchen, April 1, 2010. Video credit: dyreschlock
A cover that has dominated live performance finales since early 2010; showpiece for The Gambler and Commander. Many, many other performances of this song exist.
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Mercy Lounge, Nashville, April 15, 2010
No video footage of this performance is currently available. PLEASE contact the editor immediately if you have any!
Shadows of the Night by Pat Benetar
Dallas, TX, July 12, 2010. Video credit: SummerOfEvan
Seperate Ways by Journey
CIA, Los Angeles, August 30, 2010. Video credit: BeeSting88
See also performances from Jamspace at PAX September 4, 2010, MAGFest 9 Jan 4, 2011 and A&G Ohio March 2011
Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News
PAX Prime, Seattle WA, September 4, 2010. Video credit: Brad the Producer.
See also the August 28, 2011 performance from Jillian's in Seattle, WA.
December 10, 2010 - A Night of Tribute To Black Sabbath and Queen
This special show at Exit/In in Nashville found The Protomen covering a blistering set of 15 songs originally composed by Queen. Not only did they learn all the songs, they went to immense technical pains, having 2 Red Special duplicas created, recording backing tape loops and changing outfits. (TURBO LOVER's Freddie Mercury catsuit made its debut at this show, now a common sight in live shows in 2011.) They rehearsed almost nonstop for a month in advance of the show.
They repeated the set on a smaller scale for charity in April of 2011.
1. Flash's Theme (+Battle Theme)
2. Don't Stop Me Now & 3. Killer Queen - (ATypicalAMA)
4. Hammer To Fall
5. One Vision
6. Somebody To Love - (ATypicalAMA)
7. Princes Of The Universe
8. Death On Two Legs
9. Another One Bites The Dust - (ATypicalAMA)
10. I Want To Break Free
11. Scandal
12. I Want It All - (ATypicalAMA)
13. The Show Must Go On - (cpoe)
Encore:
14. Under Pressure (ft. Devin [Bowie] from the Evil Bebos) - (AtypicalAMA)
15. Bohemian Rhapsody - (cpoe)
Queen covers have been integrated into live shows throughout 2011, particularly Death on Two Legs (which has become a showpiece song for TURBO LOVER) and Princes of the Universe.
2011
Against All Odds by Phil Collins
12th and Porter, Nashville, July 9, 2011. Video credit: LuchieShow
See also performance from Portland, OR, Aug 25, 2011. Panther has stated that 'this is how the story really ends', in reference to the new version of Fade to Phil on the Act I vinyl release.
Under Pressure - featuring Ringo Segundo on vocals as "David Bowie"! The Haven, Orlando FL, November 15, 2011 Video credit: sirjamesmcrad
This version was originally performed April 2011 at the Night of Living Cover Bands.
Unknown Date/Unsourced
Turbo Lover - Judas Priest
Mentioned on the forums; no reference dates given. No video footage of this performance is currently available.
Apocryphal/Unofficial/These Don't Really Count Covers
(no facepaint on some of these, so no video links. Sorry!)
I Wanna Be Like You - Raul Panther and Turbo Lover, chilling at a convention, 4/24/11
Just Like We Do (thx @protofans/emma story for song title)- The Gambler and Ringo Segundo, backstage, 1982 Bar, 7/21/11. Vid credit: Bleep0Bloop
Piano Man - K.I.L.R.O.Y. and Ringo Segundo, backstage at The Haven in Florida 11/15/11
