The star studded Punk cover act Me First And The Gimme Gimmes returned to Perth on Thursday night at the tail end of a whirlwind Australian tour, the last time in the country was on the ‘Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!’ Tour so we were looking forward to seeing them again!
Capitol on a Thursday night was surpisingly packed and anyone wandering in could be excused for thinking it was a Friday night – not even a bit of rain could dampen the Perth punters’ spirits for the return tour. The much-loved legendary punk supergroup comprises a revolving door of artists including Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Jay Bentley (Bad Religion), Chris Cheney (The Living End), Dave Raun (Lagwagon) and Spike Slawson (Uke Hunt).
As far as entertainment goes, The Gimme Gimmes had it all. On the musical front there was such favorites from the 2017 compilation Rake It In: Greatest Hits including Summertime, Sloop John B, Straight Up, Jolene, I Believe I Can Fly, Country Roads, Over The Rainbow, All My Lovin’ and finishing on End of the Road. In between songs it was more pure gold as we saw the members of the band partake in various off the cuff stage banter and wonderfully humerous interactions with the crowd as Spike pointed out “there’s a fine line between mockery and tribute. We’re a cover band! No,scratch that, we’re THE cover band!” Even with a potentially awkward moment with Spike (blaming it on his failing memory) trying to get the crowd to yell louder, pretending to forget where they were, “are we in Adelaide?” “Because right up here this is San Francisco “. Are we in Perth? Come on Perth – let me hear you” with a few boos until everyone caught on, that there is what a real live show is all about.
Continuing on with the show, crowd favourites Danny’s Song, Crazy 4 U (Spike on the ukulele), (macho guys with rippling abs and innovative facial hair, let your inner diva out) I Will Survive (complete with crowd surfing antics plus took the Dave train to Sugartown) for Rocket Man, (march and frolic and enjoy the beat of this drum – enjoy this delicious moment) Different Drum were all further highlights at the show. Even the quintessential “Me First” moment, every second person headbanging to Stevie Wonder’s ode to his baby girl, “Isn’t She Lovely” was nothing short of brilliant!
White shiny suits and Spike in his Gold jacket and matching microphone tassel, welcomed national treasure “The Doctor” Lindsay Mcdougall, here to replace Chris Cheney and who is described as an authentic Aussie cunt who puts the cunt in country. Chris would be here but he’s too busy taking a bath in your money (in fact, present on the earlier part of the tour, Cheney is legitimately ill). Regardless, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes is a wonderful rock show that gives you true value for money even if it just a bunch of cover songs. Either way they are a band worth checking out the next time they roll into your part of the world.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Linda Dunjey Photography
