Miscellaneous - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

  by Anna Gudaniec

published: 16 / 4 / 2006

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Anna Gudaniec takes photos of punk rock supergroup and covers band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on the first of two dates at the London Astoria

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are both a Californian punk rock supergroup and also a covers band. The group, which is centred around vocalist Spike Slawson of the Swinging Utters, also includes in its line-up Joey Cape and Dave Raun from Lagwagon on guitar and drums ; Chris Shiflett from the Foo Fighters also on guitar, and Fat Wreck Chords label owner and NOFX frontman "Fat" Mike Burkett on bass. Me First and the Gimmes first formed in 1995. Their first album 'Have a Ball' came out in 1997 and they have since gone on to release another four albums, 'Are a Drag' (1999),'Blow in the Wind' (2001), 'Take a Break' (2003) and 'Ruin Jonny Bar's Mitzvah' (2004). Each album has had a different theme. 'Have a Ball' focuses on classic 70's and early 80's songs by artists like Elton John, Neil Diamond, and John Denver. 'Are a Drag' is a collection of showtunes, while 'Blow in the Wind' is an assortment of 60's classics. 'Take a Break' features R and B songs from artists such as Lionel Richie and Vanessa Williams, while 'Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah', which was recorded live at an actual bar mitzvah, consists of pop music from the 60's through to the 80's from artists including REO Speedwagon, Styx and the Beatles. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes recently returned to the studio to record their as-yet-untitled sixth album, a collection of Western covers. They tour together whenever their members aren't busy with their other bands, and have just completed a 10 date tour of Europe. Gigs are lively affairs, merging tongue-in-cheek humour with a deep appreciation and love for the music involved. These photographs were taken by Anna Gudaniec for Pennyblackmusic on May 6th at the first of two dates they played as part of the tour at the Astoria in London.

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