Band: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
Release: Go Down Under EP
Release Date: 1st Feb 2011
Every punks favourite sporadic super cover band is back!
Sixteen years after formation which has seen them turn the tempo up on the 60’s, 70’s, show-tunes, Rn’B and even a live recording at a Bar mitzvah. Consisting of Fat Mike of NOFX fame, Lagwagon singer Joey Cape and drummer Dave Raun, Swinging’ Utters bassist Spike Slawson and Former No Use For A Name and current Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes are every inch the Punk Rock Super group.
To coincide with their Recent Australian tour they have released …Go Down Under. A 5 song EP of, yep you guessed it, songs by Australians. So what can be said of The Gimmes 8th release? For one, it’s short. Running at 12 minutes long but just enough to satisfy a loyal fan base (punks aren’t known to moan and a quick record). Secondly, it has to be said that it is their least ‘instantly recognisable’ release, speaking in terms of track listing that is but then again it has to be remembered that this is pretty much aimed at their Australian audience so that can be forgiven. Tracks like All Out Of Love by Air Supply will have the listener singing along instantly even if they have no idea who the original is by. The rest however may need a little bit more digging to be reminded of what the ‘real’ versions sound like and who made them.
The record as a whole sticks to the well loved formula The Gimmes are known for which is exactly what you would expect and exactly what you want, punk rock guitars and punk rock drums underneath Spike’s fantastic voice, which if you are all completely honest is the thing you love the most about the band.
The worst thing about Me First and The Gimme Gimmes is that they just don’t make enough records so …Go Down Under is welcomed with open arms and punching fists. Keep ‘em coming boys.
Reviewer: Jordan Daniel
