PREMIERE: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes Inject Punk Rock Awesomeness Into An Aussie Pub Rock Classic
They conquered Madison’s Quinceañera and dominated stages down under last year (our Perth review here), but that's not stopping Me First And The Gimme Gimmes from continuing to rock your socks off as the group prepares to not only face Aussie fans again on the Band Of The Long Weekend Tour - kicking off on October 30th - but also bring a piece of Aussie pub rock history along for the ride.
Today we're proud to be premiering the Gimme Gimmes' latest cover of a cult classic Aussie anthem, which will be featured on a collector's two-track 7" vinyl which you can grab on their upcoming tour or via Fat Wreck Chords tomorrow. The song in question is Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs' pub rock sing-a-long 'Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy)' in which they've injected a healthy dose of punk rock riffage and a feisty solo guitar solo to bring the track to modern age for all to enjoy (without losing the original's appeal).
What intrigues us the most is how they landed on this particular song to cover, so when we quizzed the band about it, they were more than happy to share the process:
"Are you kidding? It had me at the pulsing, rock and roll hook—a little understated in the beginning, then building to a full-blown religious epiphany before then, impossibly, jarring our senses with a complete left-turn, as we’re taken on a psychedelic voyage into uncharted soundscapes and lush alien habitats. Just when we think we’re lost in the void, a lone acoustic guitar calls us from afar and we suddenly look down to find we are back on terra firma, rockin and a rollin like it was Sunbury ‘72 all over again, man."
On the flip slide of the two-track vinyl is a delectable cover of Juice Newton's 'Queen Of Hearts' which compliments the Billy Thorpe cover quite well - despite the outfit addressing they're not on speaking terms with the original artist at the commencement of the song... This piqued my interest, so we grilled the Gimmes for more.
You're not exactly on speaking terms with Juice Newton, but that didn't stop you from covering her hit, 'Queen Of Hearts'. If she happens to come across this cover and interview, what would you like her to know about the recording process?
"Juice… I can call you Juice, right? Juice, whatever our differences are I’m sure we can work them out in a civil manner. Regardless, I would like to thank you for this contribution to the pop music songbook (and our repertory)."
Lastly, the band was only just here in Feb 2023, what is it about Aussie audiences that brings you back here so frequently and how does this venture differ from the last?
"We will speak directly to the soul of Australia with our brand new rendition of a homegrown classic, as well as carefully curated songs from our brand new record, ¡Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Blow It at Madison’s Quinceañera! Your mullets and meat pies keep calling us back. I wish I could quit you, OZ!"
Interview by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes - Band Of The Long Weekend Tour
with special guests Dwarves
Wed Oct 30 at The Tivoli, Brisbane
Fri Nov 1 at Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Sat Nov 2 at Bar on the Hill, Newcastle
Sun Nov 3 at The Baso, Canberra
Wed Nov 6 at Enmore. Sydney
Fri Nov 8 at Torquay Hotel, Torquay
Sat Nov 9 at Forum, Melbourne
Sun Nov 10 at The Gov, Adelaide
Wed Nov 13 at The Astor Theatre Perth
