There are very few bands out there that can make the claim that each and every album they release is filled with number one hits and timeless classics. For Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, this is a statement that nobody can argue. It also helps when you’re in a cover band.
“I guess, in a way, it’s harder playing covers than originals.” says Spike Slawson, the ‘Gimme Gimmes’ frontman and ukulele aficionado. “When you know the setlist so well you can play it in your sleep, you risk falling asleep on stage, and that’s not good.”
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes are a Californian-based punk-rock covers supergroup made up of members from other bands including NOFX, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, and Foo Fighters, as well as having innumerable fill-in members join them on tour throughout their eighteen year existence.
As a cover band they have covered everything from Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” to Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection”, releasing genre-themed albums – show tunes, ‘60s, and country to name a few, as well as a live album, Ruin Johnny’s Bar Mitzvah, which was recorded at an actual Bar Mitzvah!
On the eve of their latest Australian tour, Spike Slawson speaks of touring, racist puppets, and why nobody wants to be a Gimme Gimme.
“Nobody likes Me First And The Gimme Gimmes” he starts. “They’re rude, belligerent assholes. That’s the moral of the story.” He is, of course, referring to the children’s book with which they share their name. “Unfortunately, I live in a city where that’s 60% of the population, and I think you’ll find that in most places”.
The ‘Gimme Gimmes inception was initially a project intended for a friendly jam session with no intent to release albums. “We’re a cover band you know, we were like ‘so do we write some songs? Na, we’ll just play other people’s songs!’”
“It’s when people don’t make mistakes that I feel like we’re losing some of that energy.”Me First And The Gimme Gimmes are notorious for their constantly changing tour lineup, as it is understandably difficult to get all members on a tour together. “It’s good to change the dynamic a bit, it keeps you feeling fresh. Especially when people make mistakes, it’s when people don’t make mistakes that I feel like we’re losing some of that energy.”
He continues, “For this tour we’ve got Dave Raun as always on the drums; Joey Cape on guitar; Scott Shiflett, brother of Chris Shiflett on guitar, and…” he sighs, “Eric Melvin on the bass.”
Eric Melvin, guitarist for punk rock band NOFX, has been a constant fill-in for bass player Fat Mike Burkett, also of NOFX, while Burkett is “working on several other projects”. But Melvin is all but guaranteed to keep things interesting for Australian audiences, and keep his bandmates on their toes.
“I’ve accepted that he is going to say things in the middle of our set that I can’t bring us back from,” laughs Slawson. “He opens up a black hole on our stage sometimes, but hey, maybe by holding us back, he’s helping me grow”.
The humble and honest singer also makes mention of his gratitude for Australian fans and their uninhibited enthusiasm before divulging where the band’s kookiest fans reside.
“Anything can happen; we’re on an erotic voyage of self-discovery in Australia.”“I’m also in another band, we play down at Fisherman’s Wharf, mostly to students, and sometimes to this crazy guy in an Elmo suit who goes around shouting anti-Semitic comments at people.”
Australian fans last encountered Me First And The Gimme Gimmes in 2010 for the No Sleep Til festival alongside NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, and Descendents.
With a recently released EP: Go Down Under, made up of classic Australian rock gems such as The Easybeats’ “Friday On My Mind”, and a six-track EP: Sing In Japanese, which is as the title suggests, an album sung entirely in Japanese, what can Australia expect from this band of social misfits this time around?
“We’ll be playing a lot of songs we haven’t played in ages.” exclaims Slawson. “Plus we’ve got a new record coming out sometime next year, we just might play a song or two from that. Anything can happen; we’re on an erotic voyage of self-discovery in Australia”.
Sing In Japanese is out now through Fat Wreck Records.
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes Australian Tour 2013 Dates & Tickets
Wed 2nd October Manning Bar Sydney
Tickets from www.manningbar.com 1300 762 545
Thu 3rd October Cambridge Hotel Newcastle
Tickets from the venue 02 4962 2459, www.bigtix.com.au
Fri 4th October HiFi Bar Brisbane
Tickets from www.thehifi.com.au 1300 843 443, www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Sat 5th & Sun 6th October Corner Hotel Melbourne
Tickets from www.cornerhotel.com 03 9427 9198
Wed 9th October Barwon Club Geelong
Tickets from the venue 03 52214584, www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545, www.eventbrite.com.au
Thu 10th October Fowlers Live Adelaide
Tickets from www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX, www.venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888
Fri 11th October Amplifier Perth
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au, www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Sat 12th October Prince of Wales Bunbury
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au, www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
