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INFEST THE WEST TOUR

Coming to the House of Blues Anaheim

August 25, 2024 by Shane Pase

On August 30th, the House of Blues in Anaheim will host a night of pure, unadulterated punk fun as Me First and the Gimme Gimmes take the stage. For the uninitiated, this isn’t just any punk rock show. The Gimmes have carved out a unique niche in the music world as the ultimate cover band, bringing their irreverent, high-energy punk stylings to songs you never thought you’d hear in a mosh pit.

Formed in the mid-‘90s as a side project by members of some of punk’s most notable bands – think NOFX, Lagwagon, and Foo Fighters – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes started as a joke.

Luckily for us, it is a “joke” that has endured for nearly three decades, thanks to their undeniable talent and the sheer joy they bring to every performance.

Their setlists are a wild ride through the last half-century of popular music, with a focus on songs you can’t help but sing along to, even if you’ve never moshed a day in your life.

The Gimme Gimmes have always been about bringing people together, and their shows are a perfect example of how music can bridge generations. Whether it’s a punked-up version of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” a thrashing take on Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” or the unforgettable sight of a crowd moshing to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” these shows are as much about the audience as they are about the band.

It’s not uncommon to see a multi-generational crowd at a Gimme Gimmes show, with parents and their kids both belting out the words to songs that have somehow, improbably, become punk anthems.

This tour is in support of their latest album, “Blow it​…​ at Madison’s Quinceañera!,” a title as cheeky as the band itself.

As always, they’ve taken an eclectic mix of tracks, put their punk spin on them, and created something that’s both familiar and completely new. But don’t worry; they won’t just be playing the new stuff. With a catalog as deep and diverse as theirs, you can expect to hear a little bit of everything.

But beyond the music, it’s the energy of a Gimme Gimmes show that really sets it apart. There’s a sense of camaraderie; an understanding that everyone is there to have a good time. The band’s playful banter and ridiculous stage antics – often involving flamboyant matching outfits – add to the party atmosphere, making it feel more like a rowdy family reunion than a concert.

When the band launches into a punked-up version of a song everyone knows by heart, the whole room lights up, with the crowd often taking over the vocals as the band thrashes away.

And then there’s the pit. If you’ve never seen a mosh pit to a disco classic, you’re in for a treat.

There’s something both surreal and exhilarating about watching a group of die-hard punk fans moshing to “I Will Survive” or “I Believe I Can Fly.” It’s chaotic, it’s cathartic, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have been doing this for a long time, but they’ve never lost their sense of humor or their love for what they do.

Their shows are a reminder that music doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s just about having a good time, singing your heart out, and maybe throwing a few elbows in the pit.

So, whether you’re a lifelong punk fan or just someone who loves a good sing-along, come out and see the best damn cover bwand inthe land! You have a fee chances, on August 27th you can catch them at The Glass House in Pomona. Then on the 28th take the I-5 South to the Observatory – North Park. Then, the Grand Poobah of shows at the House of Blues Anaheim on Friday, August 30th.

Get ready for a night of nostalgia, laughter, and one of the most unique punk shows you’ll ever see. “And this next song is a cover!”

TO FOLLOW

SID 240825 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR