Is 2019 the year of the cover? Weezer have been savaged in the press for their ‘Teal’ covers album which came out last week, but Whisky Shivers beat them at their own game with a collection of bluegrass interpretations of classic tracks including Weezer’s very own Buddy Holly (how very meta).

The Austin Texas bluegrass five-piece are described as having “a punk spirit” which has certainly been displayed on their new release ‘Smothered & Covered’ which takes on Nirvana, Katy Perry, Weezer and probably most bizarrely Sandstorm by Derude.

Whiskey Shivers are best-known outside country circles for their performance as Saddle Up in Anna Kendrick’s Hollywood sequel Pitch Perfect 3, but when they really get down to business they are a kick-ass bluegrass machine, as evidenced in the video for Reckless below.

Whiskey Shivers will bring their hoe-down to The Grand Social on Feb 16th. Tickets €13.54.