Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Have Another Ball
by Adrian Huggins
published: 11 / 8 / 2008
Label:
Fat Wreck
Format: CD
intro
Enjoyable collection of classic 60's and 70's covers from punk rock super group, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a punk rock super group who first got together ten years ago to record a handful of ‘classic’ songs in a punk rock style. I use the term ‘classic’ lightly as the songs are not the classic songs of punk rock, but the classic songs of the likes of Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Elton John and so on. I am sure we’ve all found ourselves drunkenly dancing around to speeded up versions of such songs, as so many pop punk bands have obviously thought it would be a good laugh to record these songs and a good laugh it indeed is! Me First and the Gimme Gimmes specialise in this particular phenomenon. This collection of songs has been released to commemorate the ten years that has passed since Me First and the Gimme Gimmes' initial recording sessions, when most of these were recorded. Many of the tracks here have worked their way onto various compilations and soundtracks. The beauty of this band, that I first experienced working in a clothes shop of all places, is that while their music sounds like straight up three chord punk, everyone knows the songs young and old. You, therefore, find people saying, “Oh God, what’s this racket…isn’t this Elton John – ha ha that’s brilliant – ‘scuse me mate what’s this CD ?” Good fun and good times is what this band bring to the table. With members of some of the best known and well loved US punk bands including Lagwagon, Swingin’ Utters, NOFX and also a guitarist who is in some band called the Foo Fighters, they are a loveable bunch who do a great job of making records that sound like a bunch of punk rockers kicking back and having a right old ball. God love them for it ! Highlights on here include a ‘Ramonesed’up version of ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ and ‘Country Roads’. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a band worth checking out for a giggle or just to please the masses while satisfying any punk rock leanings you may have.
Track Listing:-
1 Rich Girl2 The Boxer
3 Country Roads
4 I Write the Songs
5 Sodomy
6 You've Got a Friend
7 Mahogany
8 Mother and Child Reunion
9 Only the Good Die Young
10 Coming to America
11 The Harder They Come
12 Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
reviews |
Love Their Country (2006) |
Energetic, but intellectually unchallenging collection of country covers by punk rock supergroup, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart