American Band (Live 2017)

The Dead Daisies' rendition of "American Band (Live 2017)" from their album Live & Louder is a high-energy cover of the Grand Funk Railroad classic, originally released in 1973. The band first performed this song during their 2016 USO tour in South Korea, aiming to bring a slice of American culture to U.S. troops stationed abroad. Lead singer John Corabi shared in a 2017 press release that the song was chosen to give soldiers a "taste of home," and its enthusiastic reception led the band to include it in their live sets and record it for the album. The live version, captured during their 2016 UK/Europe tour, showcases the raw power of their performances, with Corabi's gritty vocals and Doug Aldrich's searing guitar riffs amplifying the song's anthemic quality. A music video released on July 4, 2017, to celebrate Independence Day, intertwines footage of the band’s live shows with iconic American imagery like open roads and baseball, racking up over one million views on YouTube and Facebook, as noted in a PR Newswire article.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s recording context. The Dead Daisies recorded "American Band" live at Planet Rock Radio’s London studios in November 2016 during an intimate fan-only gig, as mentioned in a 2019 post on X. This performance was later released as part of an exclusive 7” vinyl single in the Live & Louder limited-edition box set, alongside covers like The Who’s "My Generation" and Led Zeppelin’s "Ramble On." Fans praised the track for its "explosive" energy, with one reviewer on Amazon claiming it surpassed even Rob Zombie’s version, calling it the "best version of ‘American Band’ I’ve ever heard." The band’s decision to include the song in their setlist was also a nod to their fans, who, according to Corabi in a 2017 Dead Daisies website post, were "blown away" by their live performances compared to their studio work, prompting the band to capture that intensity on the live album.

The Dead Daisies were formed in 2012 in Sydney, Australia, by rhythm guitarist David Lowy and singer-songwriter Jon Stevens. Lowy, previously with the band Mink, and Stevens, formerly of Noiseworks and INXS, were reintroduced by David Edwards, ex-manager of INXS, sparking the creation of this hard rock supergroup. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in just two weeks at Wishbone Studios in Los Angeles in 2013 with producer John Fields and released through Caroline/Universal. The band’s lineup has evolved over the years, featuring seasoned musicians from iconic acts like Whitesnake, Guns N’ Roses, and Mötley Crüe, with Lowy as the consistent driving force. Known for their 70s-inspired sound, blending influences from Aerosmith and Bad Company, The Dead Daisies quickly gained a reputation for their electrifying live shows, as evidenced by their extensive touring with bands like KISS and their sold-out 2016 UK/Europe trek.

Fans can stay connected with The Dead Daisies through their official website, where they share tour updates, music, and news. Their social media presence is vibrant, with active accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they post about performances, new releases, and fan interactions. For fan communities, the Dead Daisies Fan Group on Facebook is a popular hub where "Zoo Freaks" and other enthusiasts share concert photos, discuss the band’s music, and organize meetups. The band’s official site also links to fan-driven content, fostering a tight-knit community that celebrates their raw, classic rock spirit.