The studio core comprises Spike Slawson on vocals, bassist Fat Mike, Joey Cape on guitar and backing vocals, Dave Raun on drums, and Chris Shiflett on guitar (his brother Scott of Face To Face/Viva Death fills in for Chris on tour). Touring members have included Brian Baker (Bad Religion/Minor Threat), Barry DaLive (Crosstops/RKL), Eric Melvin (NOFX), Matthew MacNasty (bagpipes player from the Real McKenzies), and Warren Fitzgerald (The Vandals).
Originally a themed 7" singles project, now each of their full length albums covers a different genre of music spanning the 50's to the 90's. Their first release in 1997 was entitled Have a Ball, followed by Are a Drag in 1999. In 2001 they released Blow in the Wind and two years later released Take a Break. Almost immediately after the release of Take a Break the released a live album Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah The genres they've butchered now include country, on Love Their Country featuring covers of songs made popular by The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash and others. Their most recent release is a collection of B-sides from their album Have a Ball, simply titled Have Another Ball.
The Gimme Gimmes perform to entertain themselves as much as for the entertainment of their fans. Their albums and concerts are some of the most lighthearted and off the wall musical experiences in the punk world. Concerts are often interrupted between songs to freshen cocktails at the on stage tiki bar. CD liner notes relate the hardships of recording such as Fat Mike getting so caught up in "Wild World" that he believed he was Fat Stevens, a guitar-toting Islamic Extremist, so that when Spike sang "All My Lovin" he mistook it for "Allah my Lovin" and condemned Spike to death for heresy.
The Gimmes are also known for their costumes. Each album has a 'theme' for which they all dress up for the cover art and live shows. Some themes include red suits, metallic suits with fezzes, cheerleader outfits, drag (each Gimme dressed as a character from a musical they took songs from on the cover of Are a Drag: Chris Shiflett was Columbia and Spike was Dr Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror, Joey Cape was Annie, Fat Mike was Sandy from Grease and Dave Raun was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz). During a Warped Tour they dressed as AFI, to the confusion of many fans. Most recently they have been dressing as cowboys, but are possibly best known for their lurid Hawaiian shirts.
Or their live album, "Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah", the band performed for a crowd of 30 at a Bar Mitzvah. The CD contained video of the actual event and the liner notes were written by attendee Benjamin Rosenblatt who describes the events: "They made a lot of mistakes. They even started a song then stopped, then started again." -track 7 "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the CD.
Science Fiction Double Feature
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Day The Earth Stood Still
But he told us where we stand
Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
Claude Reins was The Invisible Man
Then something went wrong
For Fay Wray and King Kong
Then at a deadly pace It Come From Outer Space
And this is how the message ran
Science fiction, double feature
Doctor X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh oh oh oh oh
At the late night
Double feature, picture show (Ow)
I knew Leo G. Carrol was over a barrel
When Tarantula took to the hills
And I really got hot when I saw Jeanette Scott
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
Dana Andrews said Prunes gave him the Runes
And passing them used lots of skills
But When Worlds Collide
Said George Pal to his bride
I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a
Science fiction, double feature
Doctor X will build a creature
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
Oh oh oh oh oh, at the late night
Double feature, picture show
I want to go, oh oh oh oh, to the late night
Double feature, picture show
By R.K.O., oh oh oh oh, to the late night
Double feature, picture show
In the back row, oh oh oh oh, to the late night
Double feature, picture show
The song "Science Fiction Double Feature" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a tribute to classic science fiction movies from the 1950s and 60s. The lyrics mention various famous films and actors, such as Michael Rennie, Fay Wray, King Kong, Flash Gordon, Claude Reins, Anne Francis, and Dana Andrews. The lyrics celebrate the iconic images and themes of these movies, including aliens from outer space, androids, mad scientists, and giant monsters. The chorus describes a "science fiction, double feature" at a late-night picture show, blending imagination and nostalgia with a touch of humor and irony.
The song's lyrics draw inspiration from the opening credits of the 1975 film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which features a similar tribute to classic horror and science fiction movies. The song has become a cult classic in its own right, and has been covered and parodied by many other artists. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics capture the sense of wonder and excitement that many people associate with classic science fiction movies.
Line by Line Meaning
Michael Rennie was I'll
Michael Rennie, the actor who portrayed Klaatu in the film 'The Day The Earth Stood Still', is described as being ill.
The Day The Earth Stood Still
This 1951 science fiction film, directed by Robert Wise, is referenced as a classic of the genre.
But he told us where we stand
Despite the actor's illness, the film's message about the dangers of atomic weapons was conveyed.
Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear
The character of Flash Gordon, known for wearing tight silver clothing, is mentioned.
Claude Reins was The Invisible Man
A reference to the 1933 film 'The Invisible Man', starring Claude Rains.
Then something went wrong
The narrative of science fiction films often involves unexpected plot twists.
For Fay Wray and King Kong
A reference to the 1933 film 'King Kong', starring Fay Wray as the love interest of the giant ape.
They got caught in a celluloid jam
This line refers to a common technical difficulty in early film making involving film becoming stuck in the camera or projector.
Then at a deadly pace It Come From Outer Space
The title of a 1953 science fiction film directed by Jack Arnold.
And this is how the message ran
The film conveyed a message about the dangers of prejudice and misunderstanding when dealing with aliens.
Science fiction, double feature
A reference to the double feature-style of showing two films in a movie theater for the price of one.
Doctor X will build a creature
A reference to the 1932 science fiction/horror film 'Doctor X', in which a scientist attempts to create a life-like synthetic human.
See androids fighting Brad and Janet
A reference to 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', where the characters of Brad and Janet are caught up in a science fiction-inspired plot.
Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet
A reference to the 1956 science fiction film 'Forbidden Planet', in which Anne Francis portrays the daughter of a scientist living on a distant planet.
I knew Leo G. Carrol was over a barrel
A reference to the actor Leo G. Carroll appearing in the 1955 science fiction film 'Tarantula'.
When Tarantula took to the hills
The plot of the film involves giant tarantulas escaping from a laboratory and causing chaos.
And I really got hot when I saw Jeanette Scott
A reference to the actress Janet Scott appearing in the 1962 science fiction film 'The Day of the Triffids'.
Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills
The plot involves an attack on Earth by sentient plants called 'triffids', which can walk and attack with their poisonous stingers.
Dana Andrews said Prunes gave him the Runes
A reference to a line in the 1957 science fiction film 'Night of the Demon', in which the character played by Dana Andrews claims to have acquired supernatural powers from eating prunes.
And passing them used lots of skills
The character claims that passing gas is necessary to activate the power.
But When Worlds Collide
A reference to the 1951 science fiction film, in which a planet is on a collision course with Earth.
Said George Pal to his bride
George Pal was a film producer who worked on many science fiction films, including 'When Worlds Collide'.
I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills, like a
The song's narrator claims that science fiction films are thrilling and entertaining.
Oh oh oh oh oh, at the late night
Suggests that science fiction is often enjoyed at night, perhaps in a movie theater setting.
Double feature, picture show
A reference to the format of showing two films in a row for one price.
I want to go, oh oh oh oh, to the late night
The singer expresses a desire to attend a late-night double feature picture show.
By R.K.O., oh oh oh oh, to the late night
RKO Pictures was a renowned film production company that produced many classic films, including several science fiction films.
In the back row, oh oh oh oh, to the late night
May suggest a desire for privacy or a desire to experience the films in a non-traditional way.
Double feature, picture show
A repetition of the earlier line, emphasizing the artist's desire to attend a late-night double feature of science fiction films.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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