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.
Stepping Out
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come hear the music play
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Come to the cabaret
Put down the knitting, the book and the broom
It's time for a holiday
Life is a cabaret, old cum
Come taste the wine, come hear the band
Come blow that horn, start celebrating
Right this way, your table's waiting
No use permitting some prophet of doom
To wipe every smile away
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Come to the cabaret
I used to have girlfriend known as Elsie
With whom I shared four sordid rooms in Chelsea
She wasn't what you call a blushing flower
As a matter of fact she rented by the hour
The day she died the neighbors came to snicker
Well that's what comes from too much pills and liquor
But when I saw her laid up like a queen
She was the happiest corps I've seen
And as for me, as for me
I made my mind up back in Chelsea
When I go I am going like Elsie
Stop by admitting from cradle to tomb
It's such a long, long smile
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Come to the cabaret
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Come to the cabaret
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Come to the caba, come to the caba, I love a cabaret
The song "Stepping Out" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a cover version of the musical number "Cabaret" from the 1966 musical of the same name. The song starts with an invitation to come out and hear the music play, emphasizing the idea that life is like a cabaret, and we should enjoy it to the fullest. The lyrics inspire the listener to let go of mundane activities and indulge in the pleasures of music, wine, and celebration.
The verses of the song contrast the happiness of the cabaret life with the struggles and inevitable death that await us all. The second verse tells the story of Elsie, a prostitute who died from pills and liquor. While her life may have been tragic, the singer remembers her fondly and even idolizes her for the way she lived. The chorus repeats the idea that life is a cabaret, and we should not waste it by sitting alone in our rooms.
The song concludes with a final invitation to the cabaret, emphasizing the love of life and entertainment that the singer feels. The overall message is one of carpe diem, urging the listener to enjoy life before it passes.
Line by Line Meaning
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Why spend your time alone in your room when there is so much fun to be had?
Come hear the music play
Join in on the festivities and listen to the music being performed.
Life is a cabaret, old chum
The world is a stage and life is a never-ending show.
Come to the cabaret
Join us at the cabaret and experience all that life has to offer.
Put down the knitting, the book and the broom
Stop what you're doing and take a break from your usual routine.
It's time for a holiday
It's time to have some fun and take a break from the everyday grind.
Come taste the wine, come hear the band
Enjoy some fine wine and listen to the talented musicians performing.
Come blow that horn, start celebrating
Join in on the celebration and have a great time at the cabaret.
Right this way, your table's waiting
Follow me and I'll take you to your table where you can relax and enjoy the show.
No use permitting some prophet of doom
Don't let pessimists and naysayers bring you down.
To wipe every smile away
Don't let negative people ruin your good mood and happiness.
I used to have girlfriend known as Elsie
I used to have a girlfriend named Elsie in my past.
With whom I shared four sordid rooms in Chelsea
We lived together in four small and unpleasant rooms in the Chelsea neighborhood.
She wasn't what you call a blushing flower
She wasn't shy or demure, but rather bold and outspoken.
As a matter of fact she rented by the hour
In fact, she was a prostitute and charged by the hour.
The day she died the neighbors came to snicker
When she passed away, the neighbors came to mock or ridicule her.
Well that's what comes from too much pills and liquor
Her overdose was a result of taking too many pills and drinking too much alcohol.
But when I saw her laid up like a queen
When I saw her in her casket, she looked peaceful and regal.
She was the happiest corps I've seen
Despite her difficult life, she seemed happy and content in death.
And as for me, as for me
As for myself, personally speaking.
I made my mind up back in Chelsea
I decided a long time ago when I lived with Elsie in Chelsea.
When I go I am going like Elsie
When I pass away, I want to go peacefully like Elsie did.
Stop by admitting from cradle to tomb
Acknowledge that life is a journey from birth to death.
It's such a long, long smile
It's a long and winding road with many ups and downs.
Life is a cabaret, old chum
Once again, life is a never-ending show.
Come to the cabaret
Join in on the fun and enjoy the show at the cabaret.
Life is a cabaret, old chum
One final reminder that life is like a stage or show.
Come to the caba, come to the caba, I love a cabaret
The singer enthusiastically encourages everyone to come to the cabaret and enjoy the show.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRIEL SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind