by Arye Dworken
If Jewish metal wasn't enough for you, we bring you the finest...okay, the not-so-finest in Jewish punk. Yidcore, a group of four Australian upstarts, who like the Makkabees cover Jewish songs, have just released two new CD's entitled Fiddlin' on the Roof and Eighth Day Slice which feature, among other songs, a hyped-up, frantic version of Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings." If there was something missing from your life...well, that was probably it. Lest you question Yidcore's devotion to Ms. Midler and her art, you can hunt down their cover of "From a Distance" as well.
Their newly launched website, Yidcore.com, is a self-proclaimed "virtual Anatekva" with a heavy Fiddler on the Roof theme complete with pictures of the band dressed as the respective characters of the cast. After looking at the photos, it's clear that Harvey Fierstein need not worry about his career.
If you're wondering after nearly six albums whether Yidcore's shtick has gotten tired yet, consider that their version of "Wind Beneath My Wings has spent three consecutive weeks in the Top 10 on Australia's largest radio station, Triple J. Oh, those kooky Aussies with their koalas and stuff!