By: Lauren Garbutt (@LaurenGarbutt1) –
Spike Slawson of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. (Photo: Lauren Garbutt/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)
The undisputed kings of punk rock cover bands took the stage Friday night at the Phoenix to perform their spirited renditions of musical classics.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a pop punk super-group consisting of Fat Mike from NOFX, Spike Slawson of Swingin’ Utters, Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters, and Joey Cape and Dave Raun of Lagwagon.
High Top Society were a late addition to the line up and opened the show with their unique brand of punk and ska music. The Port Perry quartet will release their debut EP entitled Living Self Destruction in the near future. The young group played a fun set, feeding off of each other through out and clearly demonstrating that they like to party. This was fitting for their closing song, “Get Weird”, encouraging the audience to do just that. The band had some of those in attendance moving but the venue really began to fill-up when the next band, the Penske File, took stage.
The Penske File wasted no time launching into their set. The three-piece Burlington group just released their first full-length album, A Restless Symphony on April 26th. They were confident, energetic, and amped people up for the headliners. They played songs such as “The Valley”, which included vocalist Travis Miles playing a harmonica, and “The Graveyard”. Included in the set was also a cover of The Beatles classic, “I’ve Just Seen a Face”, pre-empted by lead-singer Travis Miles joking “…just because [Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies] do covers doesn’t mean we can’t!”
As Me First and the Gimme Gimmes took the stage it was obvious whom the crowd was there to see. They erupted as they announced that they were going “to start off with a cover” and began playing “Who Put The Bomp” by Barry Mann followed by “Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music.
Known for wearing matching outfits, the band sported their signature Hawaiian style shirts and tight white pants (acknowledged to be uncomfortable at one point) while singer Slawson also wore a white sports-jacket overtop.
Missing from the show was Fat Mike, who had fellow NOFX member, Eric Melvin, filling in as his replacement. Melvinfrequently and enthusiastically reminded everyone “I’m a Gimme!” making obvious how much fun he’s having. The band played off of this and each other throughout the show, joking around and reminding us that the next song was going to be a cover.
The band closed their set with “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” and after a lot of noise from the crowd, the quintet returned for an encore with the Elton John hit, “Rocket Man”.
The Gimmes’ performance was exactly what you’d expect from a punk rock cover band. No real surprises, just a good old-fashioned sing-along and a great time.
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