HEADLINER: ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMME’S
SUPPORTS: TOKYO BEEF AND CHIMERS
VENUE: THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE
DATE:
REVIEWER: HEAR2ZEN MAGAZINE
PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREW TREADWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Gimmes are always labelled as a supergroup. Its likely a term they arent fond of even if the onstage personas say otherwise.
They have a loyal fanbase, a crazy fanbase, but loyal. It was evident by the turnout at The Tivoli. A triple bill is always an exciting prospect
and that always guarentees something for everyone, but I feel this one got a little lost.

Tokyo Beef kicked off the night, and had an exhaustingly long journey from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, but did not look fatigued one bit as they just smashed
out song after song. No bells and whistles just straight up ass whooping music. Part punk, part surf, part rock, all energy. They certainly were a perfect fit.
Next up were The Chimers, who just didnt have that same connection for me. They didnt translate well on this stage and for the crowd, but you cannot win them all

Now anyone who starts their set with a Ukulele driven cover of a Steely Dan song, while wearing a sequened jacket, did not come to sit on a stool and chat. Spike Slawson
mixed guitar hero faces with Michael Jackson dance moves, while dressed for Eurovision, and the bow was tied up in a punk envelope

Joined on stage by bandmates CJ Ramone, Joey Cape, John Reis and Pinch, Spike led the band and the crowd in a raucous full tilt set where the audience and the band become one
For the uninitiated, The Gimmes have the revolving member mentality of the Pussycat Dolls, just slightly less appealing on the eyes, but they make up for that in raw talent.

17 songs from any and every genre imaginable, all executed with tongue in cheek humor and a Vegas / Vaudeville backdrop. Its a crazy ass night.

Set List

Ricky Don’t Lose That Number (Steely Dan)
Leaving On A Jet Plane (John Denver)
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon)
Sloop John B
Straight Up (Paula Abdul)
Science Fiction / Double Feature (Richard O’Brien)
Jolene (Dolly Parton)
On The Road Again (Willie Nelson)
Ghost Riders In The Sky (Johnny Cash)
Take Me Home, Country Road (John Denver)
Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
Summertime (George Gershwin)
Who Put The Bomp (Barry Mann)
Rocket Man (Elton John)
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (The Angels)
End Of The Road (Boys II Men)