Me First & The Gimme Gimmies, Bitchspawn, The Lizards @ Fowlers Live, Adelaide 13/10/2017
“This next one’s a cover”… Me First and the Gimme Gimmes were back in town playing all ‘their’ hits, for one night only at Fowlers Live. A few new members in the lineup this time around with Bad Religion’s Jay Bently filling in for Fat Mike and Frenzal Rhomb’s Lindsay McDougall filling in for the injured Chris Cheney who was supposed to be filling in for Chris Shiftlett.
A warm Friday night in the city, had the punters out in force, actually the show had been sold out for weeks so the weather had nothing to do with it. It can be a funny place Adelaide, only two weeks ago AFI played to an empty room, while tonight MFGG tickets were hot property and the place was packed to the rafters!!
Opening the show was local punk outfit The Lizards, who were, as always, brilliant!! They have a strong local following and were received very well from the growing crowd. They even joined in on the flavour of the night and played a hot cover of Minor Threat.
Next up was another Adelaide outfit Bitchspawn. “We are Bitchspawn and we are bitchen…” if by bitchen they meant pretty average, then I agree. I’m not sure if they won the door price to get their spot on the bill, but to be playing ahead of the Lizards is just poor billing, not to mention a bit insulting.
By the time the Gimmes were ready to roll Fowlers was chock-a-block, the punks were out and the pale ale was flowing. The boys filed on stage with rock star swagger, lead by the Caper, all ablaze in matching pink Saturn shirts, black ties, pants and loafers. Launching straight into Summertime really set the scene for the night, it was fast, it was tight, Spike was awesome and it was a cover. Spike is the perfect front man for this cover band, he is Mr Charisma, has a super and versatile voice and unlike his bandmates MFGG is probably bigger than his regular gig. Dave was a beast behind the skins, Jay looked like he was really enjoying playing in a less serious band (really enjoying!!) and Lindsay was just doing his thing; once again answering the call to fill in for a touring punk band and nailing it!! And Joey (or Jerry, Jerry, Jerry) Cape, he is the man, the poster boy for Lifer’s and everything I hope I am when I reach 50.
The show was brilliant, the crowd gave heaps and the band responded accordingly. Highlights included (Ghost) Riders in the Sky, Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp), Over the Rainbow and the main set was finished with, yes another cover Elton John’s Rocket Man.
The boys returned after a short break to a fire a cracker encore set of All My Loving, everyone’s favourite show tune I Will Survive, Sweet Caroline and of course finished with Boyz II Men’s End of the Road, featuring a classic Joey Cape Adelaide Central Market reference in the breakdown.
Then just as quickly as it began, it was over, but as always it was a pleasure.
Review by Tim Nicholas