Back in 1997, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes released their debut album 'Have a Ball'. The album is made up of covers from the 60s and 70s, with one exception, Uptown Girl by Billy Joel.
One of the lads in the office brought it in one day and, I'll be honest, I fell in love with it straight away.
Since then, they've released another 8 albums.
If you're not familiar with 'the Gimmes', they are a punk group made up of members from other punk groups. The lineup changes depending on the weather, but at the front of it all, is Spike Slawson.
Anyway, I've been waiting since then to see them live. For one reason or another, it just never happened, until last weekend that is!
I headed off to the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on Sunday anticipating a glorious evening and I was not wrong!
There's something magical about mohawk wielding (the hair, not the hatchet!), tattoo covered punk rockers jump around to Cher! It's a little surreal, but a lot of fun.
The songs came thick and fast, so fast that I've no idea of a setlist. What I do know is that they were all covers!
The lineup on the night (as I said, it does change) was:
It's not the classic Gimmes lineup, there was no Fat Mike (of NOFX) for example, but look, it was a brilliant live show and that's all you can ask for. I just hope it's not another 22 years before I see them again!
Check out the photos below:
One of the lads in the office brought it in one day and, I'll be honest, I fell in love with it straight away.
Since then, they've released another 8 albums.
- Have a Ball (1997)
- Are a Drag (1999)
- Blow in the Wind (2001)
- Take a Break (2003)
- Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah (2004)
- Love Their Country (2006)
- Have Another Ball (2008)
- Are We Not Men? We Are Diva! (2014)
- Rake it In: The Greatestest Hits (2017)
Anyway, I've been waiting since then to see them live. For one reason or another, it just never happened, until last weekend that is!
I headed off to the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on Sunday anticipating a glorious evening and I was not wrong!
There's something magical about mohawk wielding (the hair, not the hatchet!), tattoo covered punk rockers jump around to Cher! It's a little surreal, but a lot of fun.
The songs came thick and fast, so fast that I've no idea of a setlist. What I do know is that they were all covers!
The lineup on the night (as I said, it does change) was:
- Spike Slawson (of Swingin' Utters and Re-Volts) – lead vocals
- Dave Raun (of Lagwagon) – drums
- CJ Ramone (of the Ramones) - Bass
- Stacey Dee (of Bad Cop/Bad Cop) - Guitar
- Lindsay McDougall (of Frenzal Rhomb) - Guitar
It's not the classic Gimmes lineup, there was no Fat Mike (of NOFX) for example, but look, it was a brilliant live show and that's all you can ask for. I just hope it's not another 22 years before I see them again!
Check out the photos below:
