Alien Ant Farm performed at the Michael Jackson tribute after his death. They were the only hard rock band invited by the Jackson family. Apparently Michael was a big fan of the cover as he liked hard rock. Guitarist Terry Corso commented on the So Cal band's performance at the emotional event, saying, "I honestly think it would be extremely hard for me or any of my bandmates to really express how much of an honor it was for us to be included in the 'Michael Forever' concert in Wales. It was literally one of the most exciting and surreal moments of our careers. From hanging out with Cee Lo Green in our dressing room to passing Smokey Robinson in the hall, it was the stuff dreams are made of for guys like us who grew up in a diverse musical landscape." Corso admitted that the fact that the band was invited to be included was touching, as well. He said, "We are very taken by the fact that the Jackson family would keep us in their minds and include us in this special opportunity to pay tribute to the King of Pop alongside so many people that loved him. MICHAEL FOREVER!"

i've always loved that this isn't just a cover, it's a tribute, too. cross-genre stuff should be like this more often

Cool trivia, Papa Roach and AAF were great friends and they promised each other that whoever got "famous" first would then help the other band succeed. Papa Roach blew up with Last Resort and kept their promise and helped AAF get exposure by having them open up for them on tour.

When they dropped this as their single in 2001, the world was not ready for it. This was awesome.

Of course Michael Jackson was aware of this song + video, he signed off on both lol For the record, he absolutely loved AAF's version.

AAF is a criminally underrated band.

Not only did Michael approve, legend has it he went to one of their concerts just to watch them perform it. 😁

This is the best type of cover. Adds something new to the original while still respecting it. Great song.

I remember when this came out, was blown away that someone covered my favorite MJ song. Such a cool cover. The kid with the mask, remember MJ wore masks as well when he was out in public.

The kid with the mask was just paying homage to Michael who always wore a mask

Michael Jackson himself said that this was the best version of the song that he had heard himself and that's a quote GG great video yo

If you’re going to cover a legend, you better come correct.

Michael Jackson approved this entire song, he actually loved it...In the video he didn't like the fact that the kid was wearing the mask because of his sickness, so they edited the video for MTV without the kid wearing the mask. MJ later on approved the kid wearing the mask over the edited version.

A lot of people miss that the drummer is wearing one sparkled glove and the Elizabeth Taylor tattoo at the end.

AAF’s singer has an awesome voice. I wish they got bigger!

The kid wearing the mask was way ahead of his time.

This song is literally one of my favorite covers of all time I was blown away when I heard this for the first time

The kid dancing is from the Smooth Criminal video, while the mask is just another MJ thing. There's also the fog/vent from Bad. I thought this was very fun and underapreciated rendition. Thanks for reviewing.

You hit the nail on the head, they said if they are gonna do this lets do it right and they did exactly that. Its hard to cover an MJ song but not only did they do the song justice but they also paid homage to MJ in so many ways, I love them for that. Much respect and love to AAF. RIP MJ.

There were more easter eggs in there than at a Baptist Easter Egg Hunt. AAF is great and I been a fan since the start. Glad you enjoyed them.

AAF will forever be remembered for this cover, but this album was an early 2000s rock masterpiece IMO.

A ton of tributes to MJ in this video, but NOBODY imitates Vincent Price and gets away with it.

American music is astonishing, such a unique blend of Musical flavors from diverse influences that flow in and out of every genre. More people should appreciate it.

I remember an interview with AAF on mTV. The kid is the sister of one of the extras. While she was waiting he was doing a dance, AAF saw him and put him in the video.

Please react to Alien Ant Farm "Movies". The video has a cameo from Pat Morita who reprises his role of Mr Miyagi.

This is a SOLID cover. Love the kid dancing in this one. Thanks man!

Every reactor offers something unique, themselves. Personally I love YOUR energy. You can feel your love and respect for the music. Love seeing your reactions!

The GREATEST thing about this is that Michael will NEVER die. I know his music will live on forever. But the amount of tribute's and cover's will keep his music and legacy to live on forever!

The drummer is also wearing one rhinestone glove.

Really underrated band. Their own stuff is really good. This was a tribute to MJ, even if had few depiction of less than reputable events in MJ life. In order for this to been made either AAF or their label had to contact MJ or his label and pay a fee.

Michael Jackson loved cover songs of his music, weird Al said in an interview that Michael talked to him about his parody song "Eat it" and that he loved it.

The kid is wearing a mask because Michael Jackson often did in public.

They did an amazing cover. I remember my mom and I getting into this version so much more.

Seems Jackson had a fair sense of humor about himself.

This Song was from the 90´s. Oh man how Cool was this song with Performance. Greetings from Germany

AAF does a fantastic version. They respected the original and you can tell they loved Jackson. Kudos to Jackson for letting it happen!

Legitimately a great cover.

Roy Orbison “Crying”, “In Dreams”, “Only the Lonely “

The drummer was wearing one glove also. Glad you liked this. Awesome reaction brother.

I’m fairly sure I remember hearing back in the day, that not only did MJ approve the song, he produced the video for it.

Just finished off 2 weeks of self-isolation - watching your vids gave me something to cheer me up and not be bored. Thanks, dude.

I like the faster tempo AAF did with it.

I love Michael Jackson and I bought this Alien Ant Farm CD back in the day just for this song

Energy of this cover song is just humongous.

If you want more Michael Jackson covers, I would suggest Chris Cornell's cover of Billie Jean to check out.

Huge MJ fan, really loved this cover and the way they showed their love for an icon. Huge Jamel fan too, best reactor on youtube...he loves humans just like MJ!!! "Change the World"

Them drum fills are insane, the bassist is funny af.

MJ loved this homage, And gave 200% approval. Look it up.

They had an album "Movies" back in the day with Dreamworks.

MJ used to walk around in a mask. Hence the lad wearing one doing his Jackson dance.

May be the only MJ cover song that has potential to be better than the original.

You have to love the bass player’s animated faces, I absolutely love this version. I love MJ’S too.

My mom definitely bumped this in the mini van at some point

I think I've said this on almost every reactor channel that has done this video. I love this video so much. It's a pure love letter to Michael and I'm here for it.

I listened to this song for a couple years before i knew Michael Jackson had the original.

Seen em front row... Bassist was sick yo!! Facial expressions.. Dude, un4gettable!!!

Been watching this for years, one of the best covers ever!!

I love MJ's original, but, this version ROCKS!!!!

Not only one of my TOP favorite covers, but also one of my favorite music videos! *Underrated as well*

he caught most of the easter eggs but he missed a couple. The drummer was wearing one glove as well. Also the guy at the end had a Liz Taylor tattoo on his back.

I seen AAF in 2001 with Papa Roach. This an underrated band and great live!

I love this cover so much! MJ's is so good, and these boys do it such justice! That grungy guitar is fire!

I vaguely recall an interview where the lead singer said the only concept michael didn't like was the kid wearing the mask, but eventually changed his mind.

I have a love for this song because when I crossed the border from Mexico this song was on of the first to play. I will never forget that feeling.

You damn right Michael OK'd this song.. I bet when he heard it he was thinking it was 🔥

When I went back to college at 40 this was one of the first bands the kids turned me on to, followed by Linkin Park and Staind. I had ignored music for a long time it's been such a fantastic journey since. This whole AAF joint is great! P.S. I love Mr. Video!

I'm so happy to hear that you are part of a great group of supporters on KZfaq! I can't possible follow all of you but, Mr Video and Twins the New Trend are two more of my subscriptions that I thoroughly enjoy.

This is the greatest ode to Michael ❤ they showed him love from beginning to end!! ✌️

Donna Summer "Love To Love You Baby". Just putting it out there. Nobody's doing Donna Summer yet.

I always thought this was a very well done cover. Very respectfully done.

LOVE this song...my daughter & I rock out to it whenever we hear it!!

This is just one of those songs that can be done on a marching field, by a rock band, by a pop band, by a choir... It's just an incredibly well written song. Good reaction video, I love it! Take care

You should definitely watch Post Modern Jukebox's cover of "Thriller," with Wayne Brady on vocals. It's awesome.

When he leans his head back several times it reminds me of David Byrne in Once in a Lifetime.

You're one of the only reactors that got most of the references. Great reaction!!! 👏🔥💯👍

When I first saw that these guys had the nerve to cover, MJ, I crossed my arms and thought “ let’s see whatcha got”. After the first few notes, my arms uncrossed and my head started banging to the beat in sheer delight!

Actually they showed Jackson the video and he only didn’t like the kid in the mask. They re filmed it sent it back to him and he was like no I think the mask is better.

The Darkness, I believe in a thing called love

Michael Jackson was open about how he never had any problem with other people singing his music. Not only would he get a part of the proceeds in royalties, but he loved seeing what other people could do with it. (Its why he never said no to Weird Al, for example). And he loved this version of "Smooth Criminal."

This was one of the best covers ever! They really did crush it!

Still wanting to see you react to Mudvayne Dig

I dont care if you react to anymore songs from them. You just need to buy this album and jam it. It is a highly under rated album. Every track is great. Im so glad i got to listen to these guys since 2001. I have been a fan since then.

Micheal ok'd this and absolulty loved it. The only part he took issue with was the kid with the mask and it was edited out for MTV. But he later asked it be restored because the kid was killing it with the dance moves and MJ didn't want his work to go unseen.

in my heart i know that jackson heard this and loved how it was a tribute, cover and remake in one go

Alien Ant Farm "These Days "

Anybody who’s gone to college knows someone who looked like the Bass player

This shit was my childhood. I'm glad you've brought this up to more people.

These guys came from my hometown so when they became famous the whole town was behind them. Their stuff was everywhere! 2001 was the year I graduated hs and I think they were a few years older than me.

A.A.F. “These Days” is pretty cool vid. How they “crash” the BET awards show. Lots and Lots of cameos from big time rappers

They even had the bikini girl in the wolf mask and the leather jacket.

Finally someone reacted to this song!!! It's so freakin great!

I remember seeing this video on TRL back in the day.....I was like dang they nailed it. I love the little homages they paid to MJ. SERIOUSLY, Alien Ant Farm are the only ones who did justice in this cover. I became a fan back then, still love them now!

For real that kid with the mask dancing *kills* it so hard in this video. I feel like the whole thing should have just been him.

If you’re interested in covers, check out Faith No More’s cover of Easy.

ALIEN ANT FARM KILLS IT! Michael was super supportive to other bands. I miss him... I have this c.d., super fun!! Jeannie in Lakeport California

MJ REFERENCES: The moonwalk The lean The chimp The mask The glove Bad Thriller Billie Jean The Way You Make Me Feel Scream And Remember The Time at the very end. (If I missed anything, let me know. )

Alien Ant Farm- These days -is them crashing the BET awards back in the early 2000s

They were a band not getting any traction and made this as a joke and it took off

If you weren't a rabid MJ fan, it is very possible that one never heard Smooth Criminal until this song; like me. So, there are how many millions(?) that got to hear MJ through a cover like this. This is what I love about these reaction videos as well. There are younger generation people reacting to 'classic' songs and really grooving to them and understanding what has been missed over the decades. THIS is what the internet is for...

My good friend grew up with the drummer so I've been lucky to hang out with them they are good peeps