William Shatner and Adam West cover punk songs for a new Dr. Demento album

By: H&I Staff     Posted: November 7, 2017, 3:45PM   

Image: Demented Punk / YouTube

When you think of William Shatner, you likely think of James T. Kirk or T.J. Hooker — neither of whom are particularly punk rock. However, it’s recently come to our attention that Shatner might actually be more punk rock than you or me. Because I don’t know about you, but I have never recorded a cover of a song by the Cramps.

Stereogum just reported that legendary comedian and broadcaster Dr. Demento would be releasing his next record, Dr. Demento: Covered in Punk, a compilation of covers to be released in January. The track listing is interesting to say the least, an amalgamation of punk artists, celebs with cult followings, and punks with cult followings. 

In addition to Shatner covering "Garbageman" from the Cramps’ debut record, Songs the Lord Taught Us, the record also features the late Adam West covering the sci-fi novelty track, "The Thing," in one of his final performances of any kind. Those 1966 television icons are rubbing shoulders with bands like the Misfits and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Barry "Dr. Demento" Hansen rose to fame in the 1970s by playing quirky novelty songs on his syndicated radio show. He played a large part in popularizing the strange song "Fish Heads" by the comedy duo Barnes & Barnes, one half of which was Bill Mumy from Lost in Space. So his ties to sci-fi television of the 1960s goes way back.

The whopping 64-track album is available for preorder now, and will be released on January 12, 2018.