With just over two months to go until the release of their latest full-length record, Perth’s Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have taken on a beloved cut from a Disney classic, covering “I Wan’na Be like You” from the 1967 adaptation of The Jungle Book.
Originally written by Robert and Richard Sherman, the track was performed for the film by Louis Prima and Phil Harris as their respective characters King Louie and Baloo.
Noting that they had originally toyed with the idea of covering artists such as Kasabian and Bloc Party from frontman Jack McEwan’s native England, McEwan noted his sister originally put the idea of the song in his head, having previously enjoyed the version performed by The Jonas Brothers.
“It felt like a really stupid idea that we sort of threw away,” he explained. “Rather than cover a song completely, it was nice to put a bit of a spin on this track, and then get sued by Disney for the rest of our lives.
“I think we kind of wanted to take it away into a more Porn Crumpets style, but also keep that kind of jazz element.”
Elsewhere in their appearance on the segment, the collective also offered up a rendition of their recent single “Tally-Ho”, a track which McEwan previously explained has is origins within the late-night conversations that arrive by way of lowered inhibition and overthinking.
“‘Tally-Ho’ reenacts the classic fable of late night gonzo talks on copious amounts of chemical enthusiasm,” he said.
“I wanted the lyrics to feel sporadic and impulsive, kinda like the conversation you’d have with a mate after a night out; where you just want to debate something, but most of your synapses are already fried, so you’re both blurting out gibberish, but really giving it a good go at sounding formal.”
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound will be released on Friday, February 5th, 2021, with pre-saves available now.
