Great reaction! MJ not only gave them approval to record this but he loved it. There are a lot of references to MJ in this video. The light up sidewalk from Billie Jean, the drummer was wearing one white glove, etc.

Count all the MJ tributes: The dance, the mask, the lean, the glove, the monkey, Thriller, the car, the lighting sidewalk, the manhole cover steam, even the white socks ... MJ loved it. In fact, Alien Ant Farm performed at the "Michael Forever" Michael Jackson tribute after his death. They were the only hard rock band invited by the Jackson family.

You two nailed it! AAF were huge fans of MJ. They asked him if they could cover his song. Obviously he had to hear it first. They collaborated and this is it. An amazing version. Love both versions. MJ is obviously the gawd of pop but AAF rocked the shit out of this song. Lots of references to MJ in this video. Watch it again.

Lex had me dying with her "they sound like an actual alien ant farm" shenanigans

“They actually sound like an alien ant farm.” “What?” “This is the first band that sounds like their name” 😂😂😂😂im dying 🤣🤣🤣

The video is just a complete tribute to all things MJ

Tons of Easter eggs in this for you! Here's a breakdown. 0:28 The kid is wearing a mask, like how Michael wore one later on in life. And if you notice, he's roughly the same age Michael was when they started with the Jackson 5. On top of that, he's dancing out in front of the house the Jacksons grew up in, in Gary, Indiana. 0:47 the lean from the original Smooth Criminal video. Everyone catches that. 0:52 When Michael toured Asia, the Asians were absolutely crazy for him. This is a throwback to that. 1:45 The girl is in a high school letterman's jacket and wearing a wolf mask. Throwback to Thriller when Michael changed into the werewolf. 2:09 and 2:13 shoutout to the four dads from the TV show "King of the Hill" 2:14 to 2:24 Drummers may wear gloves to protect the senses in their hands from going numb from the drumsticks. Note that the drummer here is only wearing 1 glove on his right hand. The same hand that Michael wore his glove on. 2:31 He's sitting with a chimpanzee. The chimp is wearing a diaper, like Bubbles, Michael's chimp, did. And they're sitting in a sequined glove that Michael used to wear. 2:40 The sidewalk lights up wherever they are stepping. Throwback to Billie Jean. 4:04 Straight from the extended version of the video for Black or White. Michael jumped on the car, did that, and then destroyed the car. 4:13 King of the hill guys with the Thriller moves. 4:17 Michael always stood on that vent to have the air blow up from under him. Here you go. 4:26 to 4:41 More throwback to Billie Jean. Everything Michael touched lit up. 5:06 Notice how the singer is pulling up his pants to show his socks. Michael always wore shorter pants to highlight the white sequined socks he wore to go along with the sequined glove. Throwback to Billie Jean there. 5:24 Throwback to the end of Thriller, when Michael turned back toward the camera and had the werewolf eyes. Also, the tattoo on the guy's back? That's Liz Taylor, who Michael had a very good friendship with. Also, that guy happens to be Flea, the bassist from the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. A lot of these are throwbacks to what Michael did in his videos: Billie Jean, Black or White, Thriller, Leave Me Alone, and the original video for Smooth Criminal. Watch those, then have a look at this again. They respectfully and tastefully did Mike well in this.

They loved mj and this song so much they covered it. And they fkin nailed it.

As a fan of MJ, Brad definitely was into this cover. Cool this record label let you use this video. It was needed with this song. Who could forget Bubbles?

A lot of the shots in this video were homages to Michaels videos. The light up side walk, Bubbles the chimp, the dude at the end had the eyes from Thriller, etc..

Always loved this cover. Dope

This song was everywhere when I was a teenager in the early 2000s. Their other song 'Movies' is great, too - and the video is even better - probably my favourite music video of all time.

There is so much homage to Michael, his songs, and his videos in this that it's incredible. You guys looked confused by most of it. First of all the lean at the beginning. The kid dancing, the mask, the drummer with the glove, the chair is the glove, the monkey, lit up sidewalks, the scene on the car, Thriller dance, the steam. So much. Triple screen split, Elizabeth Taylor tattoo, and crazy cat eyes at the end. Love your channel. These guys did this song justice.

Still will always love Michael Jacksons original version better but ant farm did make one of the best covers of all time with this song

Ohhhh I think you'll like how much fun they are having in this one. A smashing cover.

AAF: Movies is a great track to check out.

"They're covering Smooth Criminal. I'd imagine." M'kay.

“Movies” by Alien Ant Farm is their best song!

MJ put his stamp of approval on this before it got released. what a feeling that would be to have the king of pop bless your record

Lex is so good at legitimizing her seemingly silly statements! Funny at first but then it makes total sense after she explains it. XD

This band has a LOT of good material and sadly are really only known for this cover. I got to see them a few years ago at a local venue and they were incredibly nice. One of my favorite concerts ever.

This is a remake that I can truly get behind because the tribute they pay to MJ is true love. If you pay close attention throughout the video you’ll see MJ Easter eggs from other videos and songs.

Love all the little nods to MJ in the video like tile lights, the monkey, etc.

Aaf is 4 guys that understand their individual instruments so well and the roles they play in a song.

I think this showed just how Rock-n-Roll MJ really was. 🤘🏽🔥

Saw Alien Ant Farm in concert with 311 years ago.. One hell of a good show from these guys..

Much love, for y’all. I usually avoid reaction vids, but I love your energy and the eclectic diversity of the songs you choose to react to. Keep it up, and try to branch out even further. You guys are like a tree that’s growing, your branches will continue to grow and spread. If you look at tree branches, and neural pathways, they look very similar. Keep growing your branches and your mind.

I’m a diehard Metalhead, but I know music. I’m normally very skeptical of anyone covering Prince or Michael Jackson. These boys knocked it outside of the park, without a doubt! Just like Faith No More did with War Pigs, they made it their own, while still paying homage to the original artist! Too bad this band fizzled out so fast, they had so much potential to write some incredible music!!

I was delighted when I found AAF's version of Smooth Criminal the first time. It is such a fun cover! There are so many homages paid to MJ throughout the video of different songs, videos, dance moves, and gestures. I even saw some today I'd missed before. Great choice!

I constantly rewatch just the first 30 secs of the video. I love lexs first initial reaction. Pure gold. You guys are great. Keep it up. 👍

Hi again dears!! I am so happy that you are willing to explore outside your usual comfort zones... great job!!! ♥

They pay mad respect to MJ in the video, it is just jam packed with references to many MJ videos and lots of stuff from MJ's life. Also, this came out more then a decade before MJ passed, so this cover was done with his 100% approval.

I love how many throwbacks there are to MJ and his previous videos. Haven't seen this video in ages. I love it.

They did a GREAT job! This is on my playlist! The references to the greatest pop star to ever live, is awesome!

That straight hair on Lex is soooo 🔥🔥🔥🤩🤩

I so love her reactions...so joyus!! And i love Brads mellowness....you two are awesome ...

Finally someone reacting to Alien Ant Farm 😁😁😁

I love this song!! So cool that you guys are reacting to it!

I completely lost it when Lex said and explained how they sound exactly like an Alien Ant Farm 😂😂😂 damn good reaction though no disrespect to Lex but that was funny asf! 👏👏

What i love is that the video is full of easter eggs and MJ's memoribilia. A Real Tribute

This cover is so insanely creative

Watching them perform on MadTV just blew my mind!

Found you guys on Tik Tok and now I am addicted to your commentary! I love the different analysis of songs.

The people of earth are the alien ant farm!!

I still love this cover. Man, when this first came out I heard it daily everywhere, lol. But it has such good energy I never got sick of it.

Cool reaction. I forgot about this cover song of an equally amazing original. This is nice.

I'm happy to watch everyone of your videos, get your success guys!

The song actually was a hit on the radio back then, just as the original was years earlier.

Usually Lex is the one saying wild things, but the CGI chimp comment got me lol

I love it when people that did not grow up watching the MJ music videos have all the references fly over their heads.

As a MASSIVE Alien Ant Farm fan, I think you guys would like "Movies," "Glow," and "Attitude." Also, check out the music video for "These Days" where they jokingly crash the BET awards and end up having some hip-hop artists nodding their head to their song! It's amazing!

I like all the nods to MJ in the video. They're not even trying to make it their own song - more like an homage. BTW, when do you guys do all your streams? I've only seen a few, maybe because I can only stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights.

I love this channel! Just discovered you guys recently. You pay more attention to the songs and videos more than some of the other reactors. Love that ☺

Michael had a chimp... the singer was sat in a silver glove that he wore, the dudes dancing like in thriller, light up pavement like Billie Jean... so many references

So many tributes to MJ, love it. Especially as my wife and I practice for Thriller season.

It made Brad smile AND bop!! Whoa. 😁

I was so stoked for this song. The blending...

Lex was into it off the bat. Great song and the video was one big homage to MJ. Always love watching this music video.

This song is awesome I always loved this cover! Great reaction

Hello Brad and Lex! This is the first time I've seen your reactions. I love your comments and analysis. You two are so laid back and really gel together. You're awesome. Very cool to watch. I'm a join your group! 😁

Great tune and band, seen them in concert twice. Very fun!

My favorite cover ALL TIME. They killed it for another crowd...

One of the best covers ever. So good, even MJ loved it.

It is a lot of fun watching you guys do a reaction. I especially love Lex!

Her smile during the first 15 seconds and every time the song was being played says enough. It freakin works

Great tribute to MJ. Was played at his funeral or so I've heard.

I'm glad that they did it as an homage instead of an insult. good stuff.

"They sound a little bit alien and a little bit ant" got me lolling.

You guys got to check out Leo Moracchioli he is a KZfaqr that turns any song to metal. May I suggest Hello, Chandelier, Africa or Dance Monkey just a few of my favorites by Leo.

ever since I was a kid I always had a lot of respect for Michael, he passed away on my birthday, so I definitely see this is a great tribute

This is 1 of the best covers ever

One of the few songs wherein I love the original and the cover pretty much equally. Such a fierce tune in general. 🤘

Lex,you described exactly how I felt.I remembered as if I was in high school again.I was so much into music and the passion continue.Good choice guys😅🎼🤚.........

I havent this song in forever! Awesome!

The kid dancing knew before anybody else knew .!!

This’ll send me down the punk covers of so many songs.

I don't know which I enjoy more -- Lex's comments or Brad's reaction to Lex's comments!

So many visual references to MJ in this video. There's lots of info out there about this cover and making the video. They sought MJs personal approval before releasing.

I love you two , you work well together!

I love how they didn't get a single reference from the video. That's how you know you're old 🤣

Same drink with a different flavor. FUCKING PERFECT ANALOGY!!! Great remix!!

I love how they talk about being careful doing a mj reaction like they know his songs but looked so confused at the part where the car exploded lol

well done with your interpretation. It was a homage more than just a cover and MJ approved and loved it.

"These days" by AAF is a must!

When that sidewalk lit up... Awesome. So many MJ references.

The video puts it from awesome to epic. So many great MJ references.

Lex..... you crack me up. "they sound like an alien ant farm"....... LOL

Saw these guys live in 2001 with Papa Roach right before this single came out. They put on a great show! Dryden asked the crowd “how many of you like Michael Jackson?” Some people in the crowd booed… “well f*ck y’all! I do!!” Remember that to this day

Got to hang out with these guys till about 4 in the morning before everyone left we all got in for a guide group shot with 2 other bands and a few of my friends

You guys are awesome nailed it

Its a great cover and homage to Michael's videos. So much of the visuals are based on Michael in general, and on specific Jackson videos.

Check out their video for These Days. They setup on the roof across from the BET Awards Red Carpet and you get to see all kinds of rappers either hate it or dig it.

There are a ton of props to MJ. The drummer with one glove, the glove chair, the boy with the mask on ( represents the dying children he helped, the thriller zombie poses and the thriller video ending

All the homage paid forward throughout the video to all of MJs music videos is a great lil addition.

Iconic cover. This got them their 15 minutes. 🤘🏻😎

There was so many nods to MJ. This was my song to blast in the car back in the day.

Brad's face every time Lex describes a bands sound loooool

Always a jam!!

Michael Jackson himself loved this cover, so much so that he blessed them to put it on their album and even showed up the first day they were shooting the video for it. They became friends after this. He, himself, wanted them to perform their version of this song at his memorial service.

My favorite part of the song is the one guy coming on towards the end going "ohh nooo" in a high pitch