We felt extremely fortunate to be able to check out the rousing cover of the iconic folk rock protest song , “Which Side Are You On” from Already Dead , frontman, Dan Cummings. You can listen to “Which Side Are You On “ Here .

You can also watch the video Here

The message behind the song, first written in 1931 by activist Florence Reece and popularized by Pete Seeger and The Almanac Singers years later, is as impactful today as it was nearly 100 years ago, with artists like Billy Bragg, Dropkick Murphys, Tom Morello, and others providing their interpretations in the decades that have passed.

With a stripped-down nature and classic Cummings snarl, not unlike the acoustic Already Dead track “Landlord,” the songwriter has swapped out his punk band’s unbridled piss n’ vinegar attack for a folk-rock stomp, weaponizing his voice to relay the message. And it was the perfect selection to introduce him as a solo artist.     

“This song has had an impact on me since I first heard the version by Dropkick Murphys when I was a teenager,” Cummings says. “I’ve performed it live, both solo and with Already Dead. The hook is so definitive to me, one sentence, one question, over and over. It’s such a line-drawn-in-the-sand moment. There are no moderates when talking about people’s rights, and the ability to live and pursue happiness.” 

Covering “Which Side Are You On?” was a spontaneous decision. He was at home recently working on demos for the new Already Dead album, the follow-up to last year’s punchy EP I Think It’s Time To Leave…, and he quickly got into a groove playing the song’s droning guitar and vocal hook over and over. With the room mic still on, he demo’d the track and updated the lyrics. 

He then reached out to Doug Batchelder, who is producing the new Already Dead album, and they got to work at his The Den Studios in North Reading, Massachusetts. The track features additional guitar by Batchelder, and some “war drums” by his son, Teddy Batchelder, who came down on a school night to give the song its thump.  

“We finished everything in one night,” Cummings admits. “I played the song live, and we chose the best performance. It had such a raw feeling that accompanied the performance. The song was done, mixed that night. One of the best, most creative and productive studio sessions I’ve ever had.” 

No matter what others may say…. Speaking up and using your voice, is always the right thing to do . Dan Cummings, proves this ten fold with his amazing cover of “Which Side Are You On?”