The Dandy Warhols Ignite a Punk Classic with “Love Song”

Some songs don’t age. They smirk. They snarl. They dare you to try them on.

The Dandy Warhols just grabbed one of those songs by the collar and made it their own.

The Portland mainstays have unleashed a fierce take on “Love Song,” originally penned and recorded by The Damned. It’s tight, brash, and buzzing with nerve… less a polite tribute and more a full-bodied channeling of late-’70s punk voltage. The track appears on their upcoming covers collection PIN UPS, due out March 20, 2026 via Beat The World and Little Cloud Records.

Rather than mimic the original’s jagged edges, the band leans into its spirit, honoring the wiry menace and sarcastic bite that made it iconic while filtering it through their own unmistakable sonic DNA.

For frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the connection runs deep.

“The Damned album Machine Gun Etiquette sits in my all-time top ten. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite song off it but ‘Love Song’ is definitely right up there with ‘Melody Lee’ and ‘Anti-Pope.’ It is a great pleasure to sing any of them as I get to use my voice like a whip in slow motion.”

That “whip in slow motion” baritone swagger slices right through this version – controlled, coiled, and ready to snap.

The album’s title nods to David Bowie’s 1973 tribute record of the same name, and much like Bowie’s project, this collection pulls together songs that helped shape the band’s creative backbone. But don’t expect safe or obvious picks.

PIN UPS gathers an eclectic lineup of artists who have challenged, inspired, and occasionally shared history with The Dandy Warhols over the decades. The tracklist stretches across punk, post-punk, alternative, and classic rock, blending deep cuts, B-sides, previously scattered tribute contributions, and fan-favorite staples into one cohesive statement.

Guitarist Peter G. Holmström sums it up simply: “These are some of our favorite songs, or songs by our favorite bands, or just songs we admired.”

Courtney adds, “Nearly every band we cover on here are friends of ours or artists we have had a meaningful experience with.”

That personal connection hums throughout the project. Earlier single “Kiss Off” – originally by Violent Femmes – put Zia McCabe on lead vocals, bringing a different texture to the spotlight. With “Love Song,” the mic swings back to Courtney’s smoky delivery.

PIN UPS lands after an especially strong run for the band. Their 2024 album ROCKMAKER reignited critical buzz, followed by 2025’s reimagined companion Rock ReMaker. They even joined forces with Oregon Symphony for a powerful orchestral collaboration – proof that three decades in, they’re still expanding the frame.

The current lineup remains solid: Courtney Taylor-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Peter G. Holmström (guitar, keyboards), Zia McCabe (keyboard, bass, percussion), and Brent DeBoer (drums, backing vocals).

PIN UPS Tracklisting

Side One
Cherry Bomb – The Runaways
What We All Want – Gang Of Four
Primary – The Cure
Kiss Off – Violent Femmes
Goo Goo Muck – The Cramps
Rain – The Cult

Side Two
Straight To Hell – The Clash
Sister Golden Hair – America
Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
Ripple – The Grateful Dead
You Ain’t Going Nowhere (Easy Chair) – The Byrds
Blackbird – The Beatles

Side Three
The Beautiful People – Marilyn Manson
Love Song – The Damned
Jet Boy – New York Dolls
She Sells Sanctuary – The Cult
Inside The Outside – Love And Rockets

PIN UPS drops March 20, 2026 on vinyl, CD, and digital formats, with pre-orders available now.

And if “Love Song” is any indication, this isn’t just a covers album. It’s a mixtape of obsessions… loud, loyal, and delivered with a grin that still has teeth.