There was a lot of competition for your attention last night on an Easter Sunday here in Montreal.
As if chocolate bunnies and Zombie Jesus were not enough excitement, it was also Game 3 of the playoffs.
Yet the one event to demolish all others, took place at Club Soda and had little to do with Hockey or Eggs.
The fortunate souls blessed to be at that venue witnessed (what is sure be known as) the greatest cover band of all time: California Punk Rock Legends “Me First and the Gimme Gimmes”!
The band/ fashion icons took to the stage in luxurious pink satin ensembles that would turn the heads of even the most seasoned fashionistas in Milan. Front man, Spike Slawson, sporting a Golden Jacket with the flair of a Hollywood starlet joined his band mates to great fanfare. He was obviously drunk. The screaming grew to a fevered pitch as he took to the Mic to introduce their first song: the George Gershwin club banger … Summertime.
The “first lady of song”, who famously popularized this ditty in the late 50’s would most likely have been in awe, as these talented musicians transformed the soft jazz ballad into a 4-chord punk rock classic. In fact, I dare say that Ms. Fitzgerald would abandon any effort to even record her version in the first place after hearing a version that you could easily MOSH to.
And mosh we did. Sweaty+Pushy+Jumpy+Moshing. The BEST kind. The kind that has all but become extinct at most Jazz concerts.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, could have left after that one song and every single fan would have been satiated. But, no. They planned on playing more songs.
A deep cut into the world of yet another legend followed: the John Denver prophetic anthem “Leaving on a Jet Plane” came pounding out in distorted chords as John nodded down from heaven in approval. His spirit was truly felt. Especially by a rather large man in the balcony who performed a ballet with his beer. He serenaded the band from up above. They probably didn’t hear him. He forgot to bring his microphone.
A personal favourite was next in the cue. As we all know, nothing screams PUNK ROCK more than the early work of Simon and Garfunkel. So when the Front Man told his story of a complication he had with a gentleman named Julio, the crowd clinched their butt-cheeks in anticipation that they might play “Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard”. And they did. The played the CRAP out of it, in fact they played so much crap out of it that I doubt that Paul Simon would have recognized it when they were done. As the final notes were played the song lay in a crumpled heap in the middle of the mosh pit begging for its Mommy.
At this point, frontman Spike Slawson took it upon himself to inform all those attending that the band is in fact a Cover Band . This was the first of several times time he was to deliver this speech. “We do other people’s songs, thats it. We don’t write this stuff. We are a cover band.” It was at this point that I came to the conclusion that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes was a cover band. I Googled it to make sure. I was right.
While on Google I also learned that Fat Mike of NOFX fame is also a founding member of the band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. He was noticeably absent from last nights performance. The mystery as to his whereabouts was unravelled when Slawson informed the Crowed hall that Fat Mike was too busy at home rolling around in all the money he has made off of us. I for one am more than proud to have bloated his pockets over the years.
This touching story about Fat Mike was followed by a foray into the world of Broadway Musicals. Gran’s Favourite. Show stoppers from Grease and The Rocky Horror Picture Show were belted out to the Joy of the crowd as the “Sing-Alongs” ensued. (Personal note: The best thing about punk shows are the fact that the the guitars are so loud you can’t hear the tone-deaf neighbour screaming beside you to every word, just saying’).
One might have asked at this point. “Is there anything this band can not do?”. The answer is no. No, there isn’t.
And to prove this, the band did the impossible: they made country music enjoyable. I was able to listen to Kenny Roger’s “Danny’s Song” without getting bored once. Dolly Parton’s Jolene was danceable and I started to think about getting my own cowboy hat when John Denver was revisited via “Country Roads.”
Yet another speech was delivered by Spike proclaiming himself to be a musical plagiarist, but that he was grateful for all the cash he was raking in. The band pimped out a few more hits and finally revealed the hidden theme of the evening. It was simple. “Help US,” Slawson said proudly: “Help YOU, Help us”.
“Help US, help YOU, Help US!” he repeated as he encouraged his fans to visit the merch table. It was moving.
Many more musical memories were made that night with memorable highlights including “Somewhere over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz soundtrack and Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up”.
The night closed with a heart wrenching rendition of “End of the Road” by world famous super group Boyz II Men. Not a dry eye was left in the house.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. The Only Band You Will Ever Need.
Review – Myles Beeby
Photos – Kieron Yates
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