Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are not the most well known band in the world, but chances are if you’ve got a favorite song they have covered it. Okay, that may be overstating the case a bit, but there can be no overstating the case that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are the premier world class cover band in the world.
How else to describe a band that has covered “99 Luftballons,” “Over the Rainbow” and “Jolene” unless you describe them as the best cover band in the world. Of course, if you don’t like hearing your favorite Dolly Parton sung in a fast ska-punk manner, you may disagree. You would be wrong…but you can still disagree. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have released an album of country songs, an album of R&B songs, songs from the ’70s and ’80s and an album of show tunes.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes may have reached their peak of weirdness to date with the 2011 release of their album titled “Sing in Japanese.” That title is so very apt. Unless you are very familiar with Japanese rock, you probably won’t be too upset by the manner in which this cover band covers these songs. And who knows: maybe Me First and the Gimme Gimmes will lead you to a discovery of a genre of music you never knew you would enjoy.
The sheer variety of songs covered by this band is enough to make your eyes do the Batusi. And why doesn’t anyone do the Batusi anymore? If you think going from “Over the Rainbow” to “Jolene” is a stretch, how about going from “Stand by Your Man” to “Sloop John B”? Still not wild enough for you? Then pick up a few Me First and the Gimme Gimmes albums and go from hearing their version of “I Believe I Can Fly” to “Science Fiction Double Feature” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Indeed, there seems to be no genre of music that this band cannot make its own.
In fact, it is not really going out on a limb to suggest that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes provided the world with the definitive version of “Phantom of the Opera.” Even if you absolutely hate show tunes in general and Andrew Lloyd Webber in particular, you will enjoy their version of the title tune. It may be less likely that you will enjoy “The Rainbow Connection.” After all, stepping on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s toes is one thing, but stepping on Kermit the Frog’s flippers, well, that’s something else entirely.
For more articles by Timothy Sexton, check out:
Punk Ska Cover Versions That Will Blow Your Mind
What is Ska and Why Does Every Song Sound Better When Done in Ska?
Kay Hanley: Queen of the Cover Version