Punk's premier cover artists, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a conglomerate of some of the most recognizable faces in new-school punk. Drawn together by a mutual love of '60s and '70s music, the Gimme Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. Their repertoire include songs from such acts as Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, and John Denver.
Singer Spike Slawson formed the Gimme Gimmes in 1996, drawing in the talents of NOFX bassist Fat Mike, Lagwagon singer/guitarist Joey Cape, No Use for a Name guitarist Chris Shiflett, and Lagwagon drummer Dave Raun. Never originally aiming to put out a record, the band made appearances on punk compilation albums through much of the year. In 1997, however, the band began releasing singles named after the singer they had covered. They produced Billy, Diamond, Paul, Denver, and Barry in this manner.
Finally, the group produced their first full-legth effort, Have a Ball, in late 1997. Two years later, Are a Drag arrived. This particular album was a hit at college radio thanks to the band's quirky renditions of popular show tunes. In 1999, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes reworked bubblegum classics from the 1960s and 1970s for Blow in the Wind. Once more, the band was a hit at college radio and pop kids started catching on to Me First and the Gimme Gimme's infectious pop sound. The R&B tailored album, Take A Break was released in July 2003, just in time for the band's fifth appearance on the annual Vans' Warped Tour. In 2004, the band tackled a set of classic rock hits, easy listening numbers, and even "Hava Nagila" on the "live" album Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah, which included enhanced video footage of the gig in question. ~ David Cornelius, All Music Guide
Written by David Cornelius
Take A Break
1. Where Do Broken Hearts Go
2. Hello
3. End Of The Road
4. Ain't No Sunshine
5. Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Crazy
7. Isn't She Lovely
8. I Believe I Can Fly
9. Oh Girl
10. I'll Be There
11. Mona Lisa
12. Save The Best For Last
13. Natural Woman
Are A Drag
1. Over The Rainbow
2. Don't Cry For Me Argen...
3. Science Fiction Double...
4. Summertime
5. Favorite Things
6. Rainbow Connection
7. Phantom Of The Opera Song
8. I Sing The Body Electric
9. It's Raining On Prom Night
10. Tomorrow
11. What I Did For Love
12. Stepping Out
Have A Ball
1. Danny's Song
2. Leaving On A Jet Plane
3. Me & Julio Down By The School Yard
4. One Tin Soldier
5. Uptown Girl
6. I Am A Rock
7. Sweet Caroline
8. Seasons In The Sun
9. Fire And Rain
10. Nobody Does It Better
11. Mandy
12. Rocket Man
Blow In The Wind
1. Blowin' In The Wind
2. Sloop John B
3. Wild World
4. Who Put The Bomp
5. Elenor
6. My Boyfriend's Back
7. All My Lovin'
8. Stand By Your Man
9. San Francisco
10. I Only Want To Be With You
11. Runaway
12. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
13. Different Drum