Whether it’s performing in a moo moo, making a grand entrance in a giant joint, or covering Snoop Dogg tunes, jam bands have never shied away from getting their dork on. Well, the newest generation of jammers have added a new element of dorking out to the repertoire – the video game cover. For this edition of Bust Outs, we’re taking a trip down memory lane as we present a handful of playful renderings from our favorite video game theme songs of yesteryear.

Ulu – Super Mario Brothers Theme

The list obviously starts with Ulu and their Internet mega-hit rendition of the Super Mario Brothers theme. Back in Napster’s prime, this remarkably true-to-form homage to both levels 1-1 and 1-2 conquered the world and made Ulu a household name – well, depending on whose households you frequent I suppose. The segment where Mario hops off the flagpole and descends down the green tube represents the musical highlight. When that gnarling bass line kicks it, you know it’s time to look out for those irritable Spinys. Ulu was the first band I know of to cover a video game track and for my money, nobody has yet to do it better. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Ulu boys know to jump into that warp zone all the way to level nine when this song comes to close. READ ON for more…

Perpetual Groove – Super Mario Brothers Theme

Perpetual Groove takes more of a groove-centric approach and loosely jams around the level one themes, even adding some vocal and improvised melodies wherever they feel like it. They temporarily abort Mushroom Land and the Mario theme in favor of a towering anthemic fanfare, but return to finish up the level. PGroove’s Super Mario cover makes the highlight reel every time – very fun stuff.

Lotus – The Legend of Zelda Theme

Next up, we’ll take you to Hyrule for some Zelda tributes, the first coming from Lotus. Lotus’ two guitar players clearly enjoy meandering from land to land as they go from happily bombing for secrets and collecting coins to entering the haunting action of an underworld level. Say what you will about video games, but man, the first time getting immersed in Zelda lore with my friends were some of the most fun (or should I say funnest) times of my childhood. Always remember: Dodongo Dislikes Smoke.

Quagmire Swim Team – The Legend of Zelda Theme

While Lotus typically goes for the note-for-note recreation, the Pennsylvania based, Quagmire Swim Team, takes the vehicle-for-the-jam approach you would come to expect from anything even remotely Disco Biscuits related. Personally, I can appreciate both varieties, but this balls-out jam approach is rad, particularly the aggressive, choppy guitar vamps backing keyboard player Pat Bowman’s melodies. In fact, there’s a bit of head nodding presently occurring over here.

Side note: When looking for some videos I stumbled upon the movie trailer for an upcoming Zelda movie (due out April 1, 2009). I hadn’t heard anything about this, but it looks intriguing. I wonder if Link runs around blowing his flute for hours on end dodging the little tornado?

Tractorbeam – Mike Tyson’s Punch Out

The Disco Biscuits Jammy-nominated entirely-instrumental Tractorbeam show commences with Barber jamming along with the actual music and sound effects from a Punch Out fight. Musically, the Punch Out jam doesn’t really go anywhere, but it’s awfully funny and amusing. Definitely a great way to set the stage for a big night.

Steez – Earthworm Jim

Our most ambitious entry comes from Steez who take on a more obscure game in Earthworm Jim. Truth be told, I have absolutely no clue how the Earthworm Jim theme goes, but this sounds cool anyway. It gets increasingly interesting as the song progresses. Also, Steez finally has a show up on the archive (with a special guest violinist), so after hearing my pimp them for the past couple months, you can check them out for yourselves. I highly recommend Electric Mr. Boston, my personal favorite, Kalbassa, or their always malevolent cover Daft Punk’s Robot Rock into their exploratory Robot Reggae.

Zak Kim – Super Mario 3 Theme

Finally, this one is not a jamband, but rather a one man wrecking crew. If you haven’t seen Zak, he’s pretty wild. If there was a reality talent show of all the YouTube phenoms out there, the smart money is on this Zak Kim. Even this silly parody of Zak Kim has drawn over 250k visitors.

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