Me First And The Gimme Gimmes 'Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah' album

WHO: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are the consummate punk rock supergroup. If underground music had an all-star game, these guys would lead the league in voting every season.

Beginning with vocal duties, we have Spike. Spike got his break in the Fat Wreck Chords warehouse, where he was notorious for his violent outbursts and singing along to Prince records. His sweet voice and charisma could not be overlooked…the rest is history. Spike also plays bass in the famed San Francisco streetpunk band the Swingin’ Utters. On the tubs—that means the drums—we have Dave, formerly of Santa Barbara greats, Rich Kids on L.S.D., and the current drummer for skate-punk torchbearers, Lagwagon. On guitar we have Jackson. Yeah, yeah, Jackson’s in the Foo Fighters. On bass there’s Fat Mike, and if ever there was a punk tycoon, it would have to be he. As frontman of NOFX and president of Fat Wreck Chords, this man is a veritable crimelord. He’s not Sicilian, he’s Jewish. And finally, we have Joey on guitar. As the singer/songwriter genius behind Lagwagon, this Santa Barbaran is a living legend and leader of the punk rock new school.

WHAT: What the hell were they thinking? Good question. As you know, or as you goddam-well-oughtta know by now, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a punk rock cover band that covers only the very best pop songs from every decade! Which leaves every punker asking themselves: “Why the hell didn’t I think of that?”

WHEN: In 1997 the Gimme Gimmes released a handful of 7”s on various labels before releasing their first full length, Have a Ball. No one could’ve predicted the success to which that album was received, nor could anyone explain the phenomenon that swept the punk scene. Two years later in 1999, the Gimme Gimmes returned with their second record Are a Drag. On this album, the Gimmes took on the task of covering show tunes and punk-a-fying them. Needless to say it was a success as they did everything from Grease to Annie to Evita. 2001 brought forth their third full length, Blow in the Wind, where they took a stab at 60’s classics from artists like the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. Then came Take A Break; 13 cover tunes that tackle R&B greats like Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, R Kelly, and more! It wasn’t long before their reputation of being the world’s best party band caught up to them and the band was asked to play a Bar Mitzvah. Sure, they had done two weddings, a sweet sixteen party, and the Super Bowl half-time, but NEVER had they performed at a young Jew’s coming-of-age ceremony. And on Ruin Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah the band butchers 14 new classics!

WHERE: These boys are from San Francisco of course, a town that encourages both progressive thought and crossdressing.

WHY: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes formed in 1995 in an effort to breath some punk rock life back into classic radio hits made famous by rock pioneers like Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond. Getting together with friends and playing thoughtless music was the motivation for the Gimme Gimmes. The Gimmes have broken down the barrier between the golden moldies and punk; finally a band that can be enjoyed kids and parents alike!

Spike: vocals
Joey: guitar
Fat Mike: bass
Jake Jackson: guitar
Dave: drums

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Me First And The Gimme Gimmes - Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah