Baxie's Musical Podcast: Spike Slawson from Spike & The Gimme Gimmies

·56 min·5 clips

Spike Slawson reveals why fans go ballistic for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the greatest cover band of all time.

The episode is an interview between host Bax and guest Spike Slawson, focusing on the punk cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Bax opens by sharing how fans react with excitement to Spike's name, highlighting the band's cult status. Spike talks about his background, being born in New Haven but raised in Pittsburgh, and how he brings irony to the band's performances. He details the band's origins in 1995, when Fat Mike and Joey approached him at the Fat Warehouse with the idea of a cover band, inspired by punk covers from the 90s. Spike explains their song selection process, where they speed up sentimental songs like those by Neil Diamond or James Taylor into punk versions, aiming for fun and trolling. The discussion covers the 2023 name change to Spike and the Gimme Gimmes, citing reasons like truth in advertising and ego, with Fat Mike's blessing as he steps back from touring. Spike reflects on the band's longevity, attributing it to avoiding work-like feelings and maintaining high energy. He compares their live shows to stand-up comedy, where they troll audiences to elicit reactions, citing influences like Anthony Jeselnik and Patrice O'Neal. Spike lists current band members, including CJ Ramone, Swami John Reis, Pinch, and Jake Kiley, and shares stories about playing with icons like Iggy Pop. The conversation touches on the 2023 live album 'Madison's Quinceañera', recorded at a real quinceañera in San Diego, where the band faced an uninterested crowd until winning them over with mashups. Upcoming plans include Christmas-themed tours in England and the West Coast, a new Christmas song, and a full-length studio album planned for 2025. Throughout, Spike emphasizes themes of irony, trolling, and the band's niche as heels in the punk scene.

As heard by us

A quinceanera mashup catches the band's gift for making familiar songs feel gloriously strange.

Spike Slauson's visit turns on a smart, specific observation: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes draw a different kind of reaction from casual workplace music talk. The moment co-workers start naming shows and losing their cool, the episode has its frame.

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Why you'd press play

You want a punk-cover conversation where a quinceanera mashup turns into Spike Slawson's weird little musical lightbulb.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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