I've been a Sugababes fan since I first heard Overload way back in 2000. It was, and still is, a pop classic. Over the years, I managed to catch them live a couple of times. The first time I caught Sugababes live was way back at Creamfields 2002. Unfortunately Siobhan had left the band by then and been replaced by Heidi, so I never got to see the original lineup. Did it matter much at the time to me? No, not at all, I was just their to party! As a side note, post Sugababes, Siobhan went on to release two solo albums, Revolution in Me in 2003 and Ghosts in 2007. The next time I saw them was at Oxegen 2008, and by then Mutya had left the band and was replaced by Amelle, leaving Keisha as the only remaining original member. It was a tad strange seeing the band with only one remaining member, but again, it was a festival and all we were looking for was a good time, which we definitely got! Another side note, just like Siobhan, Mutya went on to release her own solo work, a gr
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: