It might seem like only yesterday that everyone’s favorite punk rock cover band, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, put out their first live album, Ruin Johnny’s Bar Mitzvah, but wouldn’t you know it’s been just about twenty years. Two full decades. Boy does that have me feeling some type of way…
ANYWAY, since Johnny’s practically middle-aged now, and since the rotating cast of misfits that is the Gimmes continues to grow, that means it’s time for a new live album! Out today (June 14th) on Fat Wreck (duh), Spike and the gang that includes Joey Cape on guitar, CJ Ramone on bass, Swami John Reis on guitar and Andrew “Pinch” Pinching on drums have now unleashed ¡BLOW IT…AT MADISON’S QUINCEAÑERA!
As you might imagine, yes, the live record was captured at a quinceanera in San Diego, much to the surprise – and initial chagrin – of many of the fifteen-year-olds in attendance. Here’s how lead Gimme Spike Slawson explained the festivities:
I would like this to be considered indicative of what a live show by the Gimme Gimmes can be,” he says. “The only difference is that there would be people that wanted to hear us specifically and came to see us. What happened at this show, to me, is better than unfettered, unconditional applause from a lot of people. Golf-claps from about five people is how I want to hear a live record. It’s funny, and it doesn’t stop being funny. Not only do outward displays of disapproval not scare me, but I might even crave them a little bit. I don’t necessarily want to leave with people booing, but fawning praise makes me cringe. The girl had a good time, her mom and dad had a good time, her abuelo had a good time. And then when the DJ music finally played, her friends had a good time, too.
You can check out Me First and the Gimme Gimmes blowing it at Madison’s quinceanera wherever you purchase your music…like bandcamp or straight from the Fat Wreck store and check out their rollicking version of the Olivia Rodrigo banger “Good 4 U” down below!