From Scruggs to Seattle: Ashby Frank’s Bluegrass Reimagining of Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The bridge between the high-lonesome sound of Appalachia and the distorted anthems of 1990s Seattle is narrower than you might think. In a stunning display of musical alchemy, Ashby Frank—a mainstay of the Mountain Home Music Company roster—has followed up his bluesy rendition of the classic “Mr. Engineer” with a cover that is as ambitious as it is unexpected: a high-octane, bluegrass-meets-grunge version of the Foo Fighters’ iconic hit, “The Pretender.”
The Visionary Behind the Strings
Ashby Frank has long been recognized in the bluegrass community for his technical prowess and his ability to honor tradition while flirting with the avant-garde. A fan of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters since his teenage years, Frank possesses an ear for the common denominator between disparate genres.
In Frank’s estimation, the raw energy of a bluegrass breakdown isn’t that far removed from the “shredding” found in hard rock. He notes:
“Bluegrass and Hard Rock often have a similar feeling of ‘drive’ to them. So I guess it’s no surprise that many pickers who grew up listening to the shredding instrumentals of bluegrass also have a deep appreciation for great rock musicians.”
A “Bluegrass-Meets-Grunge” Treatment
Taking what he describes as a “giant leap,” Frank has successfully translated the aggressive, stadium-filling energy of the original into a sophisticated acoustic arrangement. While the track swaps walls of electric distortion for acoustic textures, it loses none of its bite.
Key highlights of the arrangement include:
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Vocal Delivery: Frank’s performance manages to echo the haunting vocal effects of the original while maintaining the clarity and soul of a seasoned bluegrass vocalist.
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Rhythmic Intensity: Despite the absence of a massive drum kit, the track retains the “aggressive” drive that made the 2007 original a masterpiece.
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Genre-Bending Banjo: The secret weapon here is Matt Menefee, whose banjo work defies traditional constraints to provide the “grunge” edge required for the track.
The Powerhouse Ensemble
A reimagining this bold requires a top-tier band capable of pivoting on a dime. Frank is quick to credit his collaborators for bringing this “bluegrass-meets-grunge” experiment to life:
“I really had no idea what the final product would be when I made the decision to record ‘The Pretender,’” Frank admits, “but I couldn’t be more proud of what we came up with.”