“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” - e.e. cummings

Although they are known for their cover song videos, Bev and Bob Holwager of Newcastle, Indiana are no tribute act. They are never anything but themselves. They are the real thing. As real as it gets.

I first became aware of Bev and Bob four years ago when I was working as a karaoke DJ (that’s “KJ,” to those in the business), and I was looking online for some unique karaoke videos to post on a Facebook page to promote my own gig. As soon as I stumbled upon a handful of Bev and Bob’s blissfully un-self-aware YouTube clips, I was hooked. It’s been a personal treat to watch their channel grow in popularity over the last couple of years. Their persistence and enthusiasm, for the music, their fans, and especially one another, is truly inspiring. That persistence and enthusiasm has also paid off. Their collective videos now have well over a million hits and the cult of “Bev n’ Bob” is growing every day. Anything their videos might lack in technical proficiency, they more than make up for in heart.

I get legitimately thrilled whenever I receive an update that they’ve posted a new song. The authenticity of their performances cuts through all the phoney-baloney autotune bullshit of the music industry and lays bare the true reason why music even exists in the first place: to make a connection from one heart to another. Bev and Bob connect, and they have legions of fans to prove it. When I say they are “un-self-aware,” that comes with no snark whatsoever. Bev and Bob aren’t out to impress anyone, and there’s a good reason why many people prefer their versions of certain songs over the original versions. It’s all about not giving a shit, and having a good time while you’re doing it.
 

 
The Holwagers were kind enough to take time out of their hectic production schedule to answer a few of my questions, in this Dangerous Minds exclusive interview: 

First of all, you guys are the cutest couple in the world. How long have you been together?

Bev: Thank you, we have been together for ten years this March.

I’ve been following and enjoying your videos for several years. It’s clear you two are having a lot of fun with your work. Did you start out performing karaoke live in bars?

Bob: We have never done karaoke in a bar. When we met, Bev had a karaoke machine and we set it up along with a video camera. I had never sang karaoke before. Of course we were just sitting on the couch singing our own songs.

At what point did you decide to shoot videos of your performances?

Bev: We have always shot videos of our sessions. I found people on YouTube doing green screen karaoke videos and thought that it looked pretty fun, so Bob messaged a couple of people and asked about the videos.

There is a lot of layering going on in your productions with the green screen effects. Did you have prior experience with video production?

Bob: I have been a computer geek since the mid ‘80s. Once I bought some video software, its been a learning experience. I try to experiment with things and make advances in our videos.

My favorite videos on your channel are the ones that include multiple Bobs or Bevs. What gave you the idea to do that, and is it difficult to sync up the performances?

Bev: We have tried to include other people in our videos but everyone is too busy, so we make our own party.

Bob: Sometimes it is very hard to try to sync everything up, sometimes it just works out. “Sound of Madness” is my favorite proof of that. It was shot with the intention to cut back and forth, but I was shocked with the final cut.

I’ve read comments on some of your videos from people who think your version of a particular song is “better than the original.” Are there certain songs where you think you improved over the original artist? If so what are they?

Bev: We take that with a laugh because we don’t see that we are better than anyone.

Bob: However there are songs that we have changed whole atmosphere of the song: “Not Better but Different,” “Bring Me to Life,” “Smokahontas,” “Bennie and the Jets”...
 

Bev & Bob at yearly get together with Bob’s dad, at Montana Mike’s Steakhouse in Greenfield Indiana.

I find it tough to pick a favorite Bev and Bob performance, but “Africa,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “Mother” are up there for me. Do either of you have a personal favorite video you’re most proud of?

Bev: My favorite would be “Mine”

Bob: I love Bev’s version of “Firework.” As for myself, “Blurred Lines” is the biggest production so far.

You guys cover a lot of styles from modern pop music, to heavy metal, to even more out there stuff like your Death Grips cover. Is there a favorite genre that you prefer to work in? Are a lot of your songs requested by fans?

Bev: I prefer to stay with rock music, that’s what we listen to ourselves. Almost all of our videos are requests from fans.

I’ve seen a few crude comments on your videos from “haters,” happy to hide behind the anonymity of the internet. What do you have to say, if anything, to your critics?

Bob: First of all, we make no claims to be anybody except “Bob ‘n’ Bev.” This is our hobby that we spend our time on together as a couple. If you don’t like us, turn off the video and move on.”
 

 
Perfect. Is there any song you haven’t done yet that you are just dying to cover?

Bob: Disturbed’s “Down with the Sickness”

We’ll be on the lookout for that!

In the meantime, we’ll enjoy these killer cuts from the “Bev ‘n’ Bob” archives:

Modest Mouse’s “Float On” gets the Bev and Bob treatment:

 
Marilyn Manson’s “Beautiful People,” Bob style:

 
Bev and Bob tackling Rob Zombie’s “Dragula”:

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Tourettes Karaoke: R.E.M.‘s ‘Losing My Religion’
Angry Karaoke Fail