Me First And The Gimme Gimmes

ByLets Go Punk
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a San Francisco punk cover band formed in 1995

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a punk rock cover band formed in San Francisco in 1995. They built their whole identity around one simple idea: take familiar songs and run them through a loud, fast punk filter until they come out grinning on the other side.

The lineup has always been a rotating cast of well-known punk lifers, with Spike Slawson and Joey Cape as core constants. In April 2025, Fat Mike and Spike announced that the touring band name moving forward would be “Spike and the Gimme Gimmes.”

How It Came Together

The band started as a side project with a clear purpose, play covers, have fun, do it well, and do it fast. Their first release landed in 1995 with Denver, a 7-inch single of John Denver covers released through Fat Wreck Chords. From there, more singles followed in 1996 and 1997, often named after the artist being covered.

Their first full-length, Have a Ball, arrived in 1997 and became their best-selling record. It set the tone for what the Gimmes do best: songs you already know, played like a band is late for work but still stopping to crack jokes.

The Gimme Gimmes Rulebook

They work exclusively as a cover band. The appeal is the contrast, sweet or sentimental originals turned into rapid-fire punk songs that still keep the hook intact. Live, they also weave in recognizable nods to classic punk riffs and melodies, like quick little inside jokes for anyone paying attention.

The band name is taken from a children’s book by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione. It is one of the few punk band origins that sounds like it came from a wholesome bookshelf, which probably means it belongs in punk even more.

Theme Albums, Not Random Grab Bags

Instead of tossing covers into a pile, each album leans into a theme. Have a Ball focuses on singer-songwriter and radio staples from the 1960s through the early 1980s. Are a Drag is all show tunes. Blow in the Wind digs into 1960s classics. Take a Break swings into contemporary R&B selections.

Ruin Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah was recorded live at a bar mitzvah and jumps across decades, mixing pop standards with traditional songs like “Hava Nagila.” Later releases kept the concept strong, including Love Their Country, built around country and western covers.

Notable Moments From The Road And Studio

In 2006, the band entered the studio to work on Love Their Country, released later that year. They also showed up on digital label sampler releases through Fat Wreck Chords, including one that featured “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky.”

Also in 2006, they were scheduled to play post-game shows at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. After getting booed on the first night, the remaining dates were canceled. That story lives on as a reminder that punk covers after a baseball game can be a bold choice, and bold choices do not always get a standing ovation.

In 2008, Have Another Ball collected B-sides from the Have a Ball era and added a few extra tracks. In 2011, they released Go Down Under with covers of Australian artists and followed it with Sing in Japanese, a five-song EP tied to touring plans.

In 2014, the “Divas” concept became Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!, and in 2018 they dropped a standalone cover of “Santa Baby.”

The Quinceañera Live Album

In 2023, the Gimmes performed at a quinceañera in Las Vegas, which was later confirmed as being recorded for release. The result was Me First and The Gimme Gimmes Blow it… at Madison’s Quinceañera!, released in 2024, with ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” as an early single.

Members And The Ever-Changing Lineup

Current lineup (as listed)

  • Spike Slawson, lead vocals (1995–present)
  • CJ Ramone, bass and backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Joey Cape, guitar and backing vocals (1995–present)
  • Pinch, drums
  • John Reis, guitar

Former members (as listed)

  • Fat Mike, bass and backing vocals (1995–2019)
  • Dave Raun, drums (1995–2019)
  • Chris Shiflett, guitar and backing vocals (1995–2019)

Touring and fill-in players

  • Brian Baker filled in on guitar in 2006.
  • Scott Shiflett has filled in on guitar on more recent tours.
  • Eric Melvin filled in on bass on select tours.
  • Jay Bentley was a frequent fill-in bassist until CJ Ramone took over bass duties in the late 2010s.
  • Stacey Dee filled in on guitar on parts of the 2019 European run and joined on rhythm guitar for the winter 2024 UK and Ireland dates.
  • Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham, Jake Kiley, Andrew McKeag, David Hidalgo Jr., and Dan Goatham are among the other noted touring contributors in specific years and runs.

Costumes And Live Bits

The band leans into matching costumes onstage, sometimes tied to the album theme and sometimes just because it makes the night more fun. They have worn cowboy outfits, show-tune drag, pajamas, red suits, cheerleader outfits, shiny suits, and fezzes. Their most common look has been matching Hawaiian shirts in different styles and colors.

Discography

  • Have a Ball (1997)
  • Are a Drag (1999)
  • Blow in the Wind (2001)
  • Take a Break (2003)
  • Ruin Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah (2004)
  • Love Their Country (2006)
  • Have Another Ball (2008)
  • Sing in Japanese (2011)
  • Go Down Under (2011)
  • Are We Not Men? We Are Diva! (2014)
  • Rake it In: The Greatestest Hits (2017)
  • Blow it… at Madison’s Quinceañera! (2024)

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