![[Mixtape, Vol. 1] Me First and the Gimme Gimmes](https://img5.xaiju.com/storage/4/zm/du/d38796-019e834c-b829-7f56-b60f-f18f8e1da5e8.png)
[Mixtape, Vol. 1] Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Added 2024-11-15 16:30:02 +0000 UTCThank you guys for burning me my first MIXTAPE! Volume 1 features Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, because after my recent YouTube episode on the band, I just wanted more!!
Simply put, these guys have mastered the science of making cover songs shine brightly in all the right ways. They brilliantly straddle how to respect the original, but also how to elevate the original when filtering it through their rough-and-tumble stylings. This is easier said than done - trust me. You also need a freakishly-talented chameleon vocalist—enter Spike Slawson.
I truly, truly enjoyed hearing new life breathed into some of my childhood favorites, and embarrassingly had to refresh on a few others...but that's why we're here, right?
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:21 - "Country Roads"
5:04 - "I Believe I Can Fly"
11:57 - "Rocket Man"
17:52 - "Jolene"
22:32 - "Uptown Girl"
27:12 - "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard"
31:01 - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
34:48 - "Wild World"
40:03 - "Leaving on a Jet Plane"
47:19 - "End of the Road"
52:54 - "Over the Rainbow"
55:54 - "Blowin' in the Wind"
58:03 - "Goodbye Earl"
1:02:14 - "I Will Survive"
1:08:26 - "Science Fiction Double Feature"
1:11:08 - Final Thoughts
Comments
I love how every now and then they mix a classic punk song intro or bridge into the songs. Really fun when you notice them
Chris M
2025-08-06 12:56:52 +0000 UTCI hear Elton John can wail on the piano but he sucks on the organ
Johnny Carcinogen
2025-04-07 12:57:33 +0000 UTCYour bass fill at 37:47 was tasty
Simon I
2025-02-17 10:27:48 +0000 UTCBoth of my parents loved the gimme gimmes. They would literally ask to borrow my CDs lol.
McChud
2025-02-13 01:07:02 +0000 UTCI can’t believe Summertime isn’t on this.
Michael Baglione
2024-12-12 15:02:24 +0000 UTCthey dont think these songs are shitty..
Papa Shango
2024-11-22 11:09:02 +0000 UTCThanks, I knew it was somewhere else on the cd but 8 couldn't find it.
David
2024-11-19 01:43:34 +0000 UTCYeah, but the whole HOW ! HOW ! HOW ! thing is on PiD’s hidden track.
Simon Lapoisse
2024-11-19 01:41:01 +0000 UTCThe start of Blowin in the Wind sounds like Fat Mike and Spike riffing on the out of tune "how?" in "how did the cat get so fat?" part from Perfect Government which is on NOFX's Punk in Drublic. (1:30 min mark).
David
2024-11-18 04:59:13 +0000 UTCThere used to be a rumour that if you fronted costs and booze, they'd play at your wedding 😂. Spike also does all the back ups and harmonies on the Decline.
Tom Swaine
2024-11-18 02:46:28 +0000 UTCOk, I just watched it and I have a lot of thoughts ! - Great video, really fun ! The format definitely works, not only for bands like the Gimmes, but for older bands with a million albums like Bad Religion and NOFX. It will allow you to see a bigger range of their catalog and maybe skip some stinkers here and there. - Me First are hilarious live; always dressed up in matching glittery outfits like a cheap wedding band, the « this next one’s a cover » joke NEVER gets old ( at least for me ), Spike is an absolute beast of a vocalist and a frontman, and the man has the gift of gab. Some of the banter in-between songs is absolute gold. - You were wondering about Me First bassists … Not sure about recordings, I think Mike did everything up to the Japan album, but Jay Bentley actually toured live with them most of the time, I’d say between 2000 and 2020. - The list was very « Are a Drag » heavy, and since it was their first album, the arrangements were a lot more straight-forward and Spike’s voice was a LOT rougher, even if some of those covers are absolute classics now. They’re mostly just sped-up versions of the originals. I would’ve loved to see a wider variety; some absolute bangers were omitted ( Straight Up, Rainbow Connection, Who Put the Bomp, Hello, Good 4 U, etc ) and I really hope to see them in volume 2 ! - I wish you would’ve listened to the originals at least once before doing this video ! I think it’s pretty important to fully appreciate the covers. Just a minor gripe ;) All in all, great video, I really appreciate you taking my suggestion verbatim for this one, and I can’t wait for more !
Simon Lapoisse
2024-11-17 19:03:04 +0000 UTCThat is a very solid list. A couple of omissions that sadden me a bit, but I’ll take it ! Can’t wait to watch this one.
Simon Lapoisse
2024-11-17 17:11:34 +0000 UTCCan't wait for more mixtapes.
Mihael Dreo
2024-11-17 12:56:48 +0000 UTCI think we managed to not elect a single song with a stolen punk intro. Blowing In The Wind is a nod to Fat Mike trying to sing Perfect Government by NOFX but not exactly what you were looking for.
Mitchell Hedden
2024-11-17 12:16:10 +0000 UTCFat Mike and Joey Cape on harmonies. So good. And as for his vocals changing, it’s as the albums progress that he improves.
Mitchell Hedden
2024-11-17 11:57:58 +0000 UTCBe sure to check out their live video Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzva!
Gingerthedragon
2024-11-16 22:21:35 +0000 UTCI thought Leaving on a Jet Plane was by Peter, Paul and Mary?
CJ LoBaido
2024-11-16 18:02:09 +0000 UTCSinead O'Connor's version of Nothing Compares is beautiful
Gav Chap
2024-11-16 16:49:15 +0000 UTCJoey Cape from Lagwagon doing the talk on End of the Road. Never heard that. 😁
Daniel Eriksson
2024-11-16 09:44:27 +0000 UTCTheir whole concept was a drunken group of guys bashing out arguably better versions of the shitty songs they grew up with. It works SO WELL! Usually. Some are kinda awkward. You hit on the core of punk … taking the essence of the original material, making it into your own faster and more aggressive version
Erik Isaksen
2024-11-16 08:44:57 +0000 UTCThere’s another cover band called punk rock factory. They are super tight and talented but don’t stray too far from the stereotypical punk sound. Worth checking out though. “How far I’ll go” is a great track.
Jeff Harstead
2024-11-16 07:32:50 +0000 UTCAppreciate seeing someone enjoy these like I always have.
Tacoman02
2024-11-16 04:36:21 +0000 UTCSpike plays ukulele in another cover band Uke Hunt, and it is great. His vocals shine on that album
Eric
2024-11-16 03:12:58 +0000 UTCI resubbed for this artist with this format tbh. Can't wait for the Bad Religion mix tape
Neale Walling
2024-11-16 02:48:07 +0000 UTCThis was a lot of fun. I really like the format. Let's do it again!
Daniel Karlsson
2024-11-15 23:47:17 +0000 UTCYeah!!!
Eric Goodwin Art
2024-11-15 22:34:03 +0000 UTCI think Me First just might be one of the most fun bands of all time! They also have a huge appeal, as punk lovers love them, and most people who love the other genres that Me First punkifies really enjoy Me First too, so they’re almost like a musical bridge into liking punk rock. For example, I’ve gotten my parents really into Me First through covers of soft songs by James Taylor and Paul Simon and Eagles and Elton John, and before that, they weren’t into punk rock at all 🎶👍🏻
Eric Goodwin Art
2024-11-15 22:33:07 +0000 UTCI was stoked to see this video was up today, and I had a real blast listening to the Gimme Gimmes with you!!! Regarding Spike’s vocals, the earlier stuff is more raw and punk with tons of vocal fry, and then with each following album his vocals get more and more croon-y, as he really got amazing at singing while still being able to scream and use vocal fry. So while it might seems like he’s a chameleon when listening to his singing out of order, you can hear a natural progression of his singing from a great punk singer to a really great singer overall. I hope you do a 2nd Me First mix-tape! You could do 5 more Me First mix-tapes and they’d all be great haha. Yeah! Yeaaaah! YEEEAAAHHHH! Yeah.
Eric Goodwin Art
2024-11-15 22:24:52 +0000 UTCWait a second, isn’t 9:15 the same two notes as “Take A Walk On The Wild Side” by Lou Reed??? Or am I wrong? Do I have perfect pitch? 😂
PRDinPDX
2024-11-15 21:36:08 +0000 UTCMy brother keeps telling me to do that one on the channel. I think I've heard it, just don't recall how it sounds. Been awhile if so! I've always loved 50 Ways, Graceland, Diamonds on the Soles, but never sought out much past that.
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 21:30:47 +0000 UTCHuge fan of the Gimmes and HUGE fan of the mixtape idea going forward. Excellent bonus show in addition to the albums. Can't wait for more!
Sean Hanrahan
2024-11-15 21:23:11 +0000 UTCLoved it. Thank you!
Juan Manuel Morales
2024-11-15 21:11:06 +0000 UTCThe Prince song most known version was by Sinead O'Connor, she got 86'ed from SNL after that performance. Are you about a week and a half from forming a gimmes like thing?
6eneric User
2024-11-15 20:58:33 +0000 UTCI’m amazing by your “not too familiar with Paul Simon” comment. If you haven’t heard it in a long time you need to do a video listening to “you can call me al” crazy bass stuff in that song.
Jeff Harstead
2024-11-15 20:47:46 +0000 UTCi voted for both of those lol. I love them!
Javier
2024-11-15 20:46:34 +0000 UTCBut written by Prince.
Chris McGrath
2024-11-15 20:46:20 +0000 UTCDude. When you were talking about Nothing Compares 2 U, I kept screaming SINEAD O'CONNOR!!! at my phone.
Justin Paden
2024-11-15 20:39:49 +0000 UTCOne more time, yeah! Yeah!
Bill Jago
2024-11-15 20:20:02 +0000 UTCHope you enjoy it, Gary!! Have a great weekend!
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 20:13:26 +0000 UTCRad!!
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 19:30:31 +0000 UTCThat sounded right, but wasn't sure in the moment. Thanks! I guess Jay didn't record anything, though?
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 19:29:36 +0000 UTCI'm surprised Crazy by Seal didn't make the cut. It's one of their more bassy songs Or Straight Up
Gary Webb
2024-11-15 19:28:00 +0000 UTCAhh! Gotcha.
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 19:25:30 +0000 UTCPrecisely. I have zero reason to listen to the original R. Kelly version ever again after hearing the Gimmes version. For whatever reason, I forgot to shout out my favorite track, but this was definitely one of them.
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 19:25:14 +0000 UTCThat's so hilarious to me, and have seen this comment a few times. I'm the biggest Eagles fan ever but the members themselves are such temperamental people, haha.
Mark Michell
2024-11-15 19:23:46 +0000 UTCJoe Walsh said their cover of desperado was shit
Joe
2024-11-15 19:20:59 +0000 UTCThis band and their concept is so fun. You said it exactly, they keep the heart of the original song but give it just enough creative spin to make it surprising and catchy. Even to the point of preferring some their versions above of the originals.
Rodolfo Cabrera Rojas
2024-11-15 19:00:52 +0000 UTCseen the Gimmes at Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas last year
Gary Webb
2024-11-15 19:00:51 +0000 UTCSwingin utters hasn’t had him in it in awhile and he was only on bass if I recall. He has another project though called “uke-hunt” which is him doing ukulele covers. Super good
Aacc
2024-11-15 18:43:43 +0000 UTCHi Chris. You don’t know me (well, we played a show together like 15+ years ago in Phoenix and we both are friends with dudes from The Swellers, but otherwise… 😂). Saw your name in the comments and just had to pop in quick to say how much I love Much The Same. Thanks for the great tunes!
lostmotel
2024-11-15 18:37:10 +0000 UTCI kept shouting Sinead O’Connor the whole time lol
Mariana
2024-11-15 18:28:18 +0000 UTCAwesome video so far, but I’m a little bit floored you don’t know this masterpiece (yes written by Prince but this Cover was the hit): https://youtu.be/0-EF60neguk?si=mK4saJ7Sdv3W5uRc
Til Breidenbach
2024-11-15 18:17:25 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing that. I only like a little bit of each genre so that makes sense.
Joe
2024-11-15 17:57:52 +0000 UTCThis video reminded me that this version of End of the Road is one of my favorite songs of all time in any genre. Something about how he sings it is just incredible. Also, go back and listen to that bridge again, you were so focused on the bass that you missed Joey's ridiculous California slang monologue that parodies how the deep-voiced guy talks all smooth and sexy in songs like that. Classic.
Chris McGrath
2024-11-15 17:48:28 +0000 UTCFat Mike recorded all the albums except for the Quinceanera, that was recorded with CJ. Jay Bentley filled in for Fat Mike several times from 2014 until CJ joined on.
Mariana
2024-11-15 17:40:55 +0000 UTC*makes more sense*
bob conrad
2024-11-15 17:26:25 +0000 UTCThe "yeah, yeahs" at the end of the song kind of names more sense if you see them live. They kind of play this character of an aging wedding band, and those yeah yeahs are kind of a comic riff of a lead singer trying to jack up a crowd when the crowd just isn't that into it. And yes, if they play close to you, go see them. Guaranteed good time, and their album manurisms will make a lot of sense
bob conrad
2024-11-15 17:26:03 +0000 UTCMore nerdy moments! Love this so much. I made a Spotify playlist for those who want to play this list outside of Patreon: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/192epPRmTtWpsXn0EqNYX3?si=85e43e453bec4682
Loren Cox
2024-11-15 17:07:15 +0000 UTCwith regards to the comment about country music translating well into covers, one of the funniest things I've heard in a while is that country music is just "farm emo"
Rob Torres
2024-11-15 17:02:05 +0000 UTCCan't wait to watch, some of my favourites made the list
Gary Webb
2024-11-15 16:46:27 +0000 UTC
