Me First and The Gimme Gimmes / Useless ID / Kill Casino

Now I will mention the support bands tonight, but only in passing. Yes I did catch the sets and witness the crowd going hysterical for them.... I don't think so. One man did jump a lot for the second band, but I do believe he was drunk and a little giddy, though I am no doctor.



London's Kill Casino really do want to avoid the female-fronted band wagon that "gets them noticed but not accepted" (in their own words). To do this though they have to get a sound of their own, and not come across as a band trying too hard to sound gruff and then speak in the most posh accents when the tunes have finished. Take a look at Tat, fronted by a lass but actually continuing the spirit of various types of punk started by many a Fat Wreck band. Kill Casino I'm afraid do not. Though they did get through to that one guy.

Though he is still dancing for Useless ID, a band from Israel, again trying too hard. The endless strikes and poses really are a bit spew inducing, and although their sound is a lot more punk than Kill Casino's and could be more towards the Fat Wreck side of things, they are too poppy for me. And the crowd, who are watching but hardly getting involved by choosing not to rally them on.



Now for a band that do not come across as posers, even though they throw more shapes than the first two bands combined. They can pull it off though as they are funny with it and taking the piss. Me First And The Gimme Gimmes' high pedigree of members (Spike Slawson (of Swingin' Utters and Re-Volts) on vocals, 'Fat' Mike Burkett (of NOFX) on bass, Chris Shiflett (of Foo Fighters and ex-No Use For A Name) on guitar along with Joey Cape (of Lagwagon) and Dave Raun (again of Lagwagon) on drums) show that this band can pose all they like, they have earned the right.

Dressed in the sky blue teddy boy suits and frilly white shirts worn on the cover of 'Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah', the lads look a treat. Fat Mike is back on bass after fellow NOFX member Eric Melvin covered his touring duties in 2007 and 2008, causing a big cheer. The setlist varies around the whole discography, all cover songs which is what this supergroup is all about. We are reminded of this over and over by Slawson stating "This song is a cover". We hope so; don't disrupt the plan! In fact it is live where you can see how good these musicians are, the standout being Slawson, whose strong voice can cover all the songs that MFATGG improve (in my opinion). If he ever leaves the Singing Utters he could make it as either a country, blues, 60's, 70's, 80's, RnB, or musicals singer!

The comedy is here too, with Cape called Joey The Eagle, and Mike explaining that he doesn't like The Eagles (yet Desperado makes an appearance in the set list). Mike must have also hugged other band members after every song in a 'We Did It!' sort of way, topped off with the odd hand shake. They also hold up lighters before first song 'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin.



The mash up of punk songs with the like of Elton John, Bob Dylan and others is played out better live too, with 'My Favourite Things' and it's included riff from 'Generator', by Bad Religion, The Beach Boys' 'Sloop John B' samples 'Teenage Lobotomy' by The Ramones, and 'All My Loving' pokes at 'You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)' by The Dickies, to name a few. Who else can mix Seal and Black Flag, Stevie Wonder and Adam And The Ants and Vanessa Williams and the Sex Pistols?! Eat your heart out 2manydjs.

This gig is a particularly good one; the band are on fine form (not on fire like Propagandhi when their stage set on fire at this very venue a month ago). Punks, old and young are creating a wild pit to the sounds of Boyz II Men and John Denver, and the best thing is even with any new tracks you more than likely know the words! Listening to first album 'Have A Ball' taught me the lyrics to many a 60's and 70's track. The only thing missing here is the "Yayah!" roars from Slawson after nearly every track, especially from the debut album. Never mind, I was hollering them for you! One of the best gigs of the year for me; like a family gathering.

Set list:
Stairway To Heaven
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Over The Rainbow
Sloop John B
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
Jolene
All My Loving
Isn't She Lovely
My Favourite Things
Rainbow Connection
I Believe I Can Fly
Blowin' In The Wind
Seasons In The Sun
Danny's Song
Desperado
Summertime
Country Roads

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
My Boyfriend's Back
Mandy
End Of The Road

FUTURE GIGS