8 February 2023 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast – words and pictures by Justin Gittins
The Gimme Gimmes have been on my musical radar for quite a while now. It was the train wreck / dumpster fire of a year called 2020 that confirmed their position (in my mind at least) as “World’s Greatest Cover Band” (as their Instagram page also proclaims).
The world got locked down and I found myself working from home, plugging away at my computer in front of a new acquired standing desk (it was a thing). I distracted myself with cover version of familiar songs across a large range of music genres. The rabbit hole was deep and included blue grass cover version, punk, metal, pop, lounge music and even a whole playlist devoted to heavier versions of Taylor Swift songs (Don’t judge, we all did weird things during the global pandemic).
A whole new appreciation for the awesomeness of the “Gimmes” came about and the next question was “when could I actually see them play live?” In late 2022 the question was answered, and we didn’t have to gate crash ‘Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah’ to finally see them.
The Gold Coast gig was to be played at Miami Marketta on a Wednesday night. It is a unique Gold Coast venue which combines a night market with a live music venue called Studio 56.
A couple of Aussie bands had the challenging task of warming the crowd up for the legends that would follow them.
Toyko Beef were first up. The Burleigh Heads’ band delivered some high energy rock and roll with a hint of punk thrown into the mix. They kicked off the set with ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Davy’s Farm’ from the 2018 album called Kamikaze. The next song was an earlier release called ‘Idiot Box’ and they wrapped it up with some songs from the 2022 release called Sumo Samurai. ‘Lockdown’ delivered a Gold Coast perspective on the last few years dealing with a global pandemic and the closing song ‘Mothman’ gave off some serious superhero vibes combined with a large side serving of punk and rock.
The next band up was Chimers. They appear to be a mystery wrapped in an enigma as information on them is a bit scarce. They are a two piece that formed during lockdown from Wollongong. Their music has been described as “post-hardcore” but for me it was “pre-Gimmes”. They have new music out this year and are touring with some big names so definitely one to keep an eye out for.
The venue was filling up and the stage was getting set up with a unique “Me First” feel. The roadies were decked out in shiny red vest and some bling hanging around their necks.
The touring line-up of “Me First and the Gimme Gimmes” gives the crowd a mix of original members and “on-tour” members.
The line-up for the Gold Coast was:
- On the lead vocals was crooner Spike Slawson (also occasionally rocking a ukulele)
- Joey Cape (“Capers”) from Lagwagon on guitar and backing vocals.
- Andrew Pinching aka “Pinch” from The Damned on drums.
- Christopher Ward aka “CJ Ramone” from The Ramones on bass guitar.
- John Reis aka “Swami” (guitarist and lead vocals for Rocket from the Crypt) provided more guitar awesomeness to complete the Gimmes unique punk rock sound.
The crowd erupts as Spike is the first to come on stage sporting a gold jacket, bedazzled sunglasses and ukulele in hand. He was kicked off the show with a rendition of Steely Dan’s ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’. Drums and guitar were added as the rest of the band came on stage sporting marching red and white outfits. The crowd roared into life and sang along.
The awesome covers just kept coming as John Denver’s ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ would be followed by Paul Simon’s ‘Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard’. We were taken to the beach for ‘Sloop John B’ by the Beachboys and then it was a hands pumping in the air for “Wo Ho Ho” of ‘Straight Up’ by Paula Abdul.
We got a taste of Rocky Horror Picture show with ‘Science Fiction Double Feature’ and then were asked in the words of Olivia Newton John ‘Have You Been Mellow’. The crowd were anything but mellow when the unique “Gimmes” punk rock flavour kicked in after a minute of the song.
Spike announce a “Four for Friday of Country Western Favourites” but on a Wednesday. The drums kicked in an we instantly knew that ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton was coming our way. We were ‘On the Road Again’ with the Willie Nelson classic. Spikes so-called ‘Rock Block’ would not have been complete without Johnny Cash telling us of ‘(Ghost Riders) in the Sky and the crowd became a sea of phone screens as the Gimmes launched into ‘Country Roads’ by John Denver.
The country music turned into disco with Gloria Gaynor’s classic ‘I Will Survive’ and a tiny disco ball dropped down from roof.
The crowd was asked to clarify which actual part of the world “Me First” had ended up in. The consensus was that it was actually the Gold Coast and not some random Northern New South Wales town, before kicking of some Gold Coast inspired selections. Julie Garland’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ was followed by the “Hands touching hands” of ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond.
The announcement that “this next one is a cover” had the band finish off the Gold Coast (and possibly Queensland) inspired songs with 1940’s show tune ‘Summertime’ by Charlie Parker.
Spike introduced the band to the crowd and then launched back into the covers with the question of “Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?” from the 1960’s novelty song by Barry Mann. We got to hear the Gimmes rendition of ‘Danny Song’ by Loggins and Messina as we worked our way into the 70’s. Elton John got the punk rock treatment as the crowd get a serve of ‘Rocket Man’.
The next song should not have been a surprise given the name of the tour. Spike announced that they had been working hard on perfecting the “studio version” of The Angels ‘Am I ever Gonna See Your Face Again’. The crowd were kind enough to add the missing lyrics as they pumped their fists in the air.
They left the stage and we were asking the same question.
The familiar chant of “One more, one more” came from the crowd and Spike emerged with his ukulele to warm us up for the last couple of songs. The rest of the band emerged and wrapped up the show with ‘Different Drum’ by The Stone Poneys and were told it was in fact the ‘End of the Road’ as the Boyz II Men song got the punk rock treatment.
It was awesome to have the Gimmes visit the Gold Coast. They have put their unique punk rock twist on music spanning multiple decades from the Wizard of Oz in the 1930’s to early 90’s (possibly cringe-worthy) R&B. Are we ever going to see their faces again?
