Me First And The Gimme Gimmes - NX, Newcastle 07.12.2024

Whilst Storm Darragh was trying its best to blow the roofs off most of the north easts buildings NX in the city centre was having its ceiling raised from the inside! Despite a number of similar gigs across the Toon tonight there was still a fairly healthy crowd by the time the lights dimmed and the incredible Me First & The Gimme Gimmes took to the stage resplendent in matching suits and in keeping with both the season and the stage decor of Christmas Trees and baubles blast into Feliz Navidad/

Now for those not in know Me First are a punk rock supergroup and have had an amazing array of members over the years specialising in covers of pop, country, musicals anything they fancy done in a punk rock fashion and with a brilliant sense of humour.

This tour we have Stacey Dee (BadCop/BadCop) and Jake Kiley (Strung Out) on guitars Pinch (The Damned) on drums CJ Ramone (The Ramones of course) and as always out front leading the way since 1995 Spike Slawson (Swinging Utters) on vocals ukulele and fabulous mic twirling.

Every song raises smiles, fists, cheers and voices as they fly through a 23 song set many taken from their latest album 'Blow It At Madisons Quinceañera!' The story they tell is that they were booked to play a 15 year olds birthday party and went in totally unprepared and unknown to the youngsters! This obviously harks back to the Ruins Johnnys BarMitzvah album 20 years ago (TWENTY YEARS!!!) and here they are still spoiling coming of age parties two decades later ;)

But hey they at least Madison got an Olivia Rodrigo song that she’d be familiar with haha (good 4 u). Where else will you see hundreds of punks in leather jackets, spiked hair et al punching the air singing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina“ at breakneck speed! Nowhere that’s where!!

Spike is a true entertainer spinning stories (many unprintable) between songs and connecting with the crowd but the musicianship is never in question despite the humour.

Kicking into the intro of Joy Divisions 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' but melting it into Neil Sedaka classic 'Love Will Keep Us Together' is just one of many clever clever segues through the night'

It’s hard to keep up with the pace they fire the tunes out, 'Karma Chameleon' being one highlight which was also being aired down the road at the arena where original performers Culture Club were playing at the same time! But also being December the party was being brought big style with 'Merry Xmas Everybody', 'I Wish It Could be Xmas Every Day' and 'Santa Baby' alongside classics from Elton John, Dolly Parton, Boyz II Men, Paul Simon and more

I particularly loved when Spike told the crowd they were going to play a Herman’s Herman’s big hit before 'All My Loving' (The Beatles).

Even road crew members are in on it one being (fake) berated by Spike and defended by CJ (cos he’s bringing him his beers) another running around the stage with a tiny mirror ball attached to his head and a torch during disco classic 'I Will Survive'.

You have to see these guys to make sense of what I’ve tried to put in print but believe me it’s worth it.

It’s likely to have been my last gig of the year but not gonna lie it shot into my top ten even this late! Just a blast start to finish so much fun even those howling winds of Darragh couldn’t blow the smile from my face when I left the building

Have a great Xmas everyone and a wonderful 2025.

Photos & Review - G's Gig Shots