The holidays are here and there is no stopping the x mas train that rolled into the Marquee Theater in Tempe AZ. It’s officially ugly sweater season at The Marquee and the amount of top notch bands they’re bringing in this year is incredible. Me first and the Gimme Gimmes, The Interrupters, and Story of the years are just a couple of names coming out this year.
The main attraction of the night was Me First and The Gimme Gimmes. A band that you listen to you when you’re having a terrible no good bad day! They’re the kings of punk rock covers and their career stretches from one side of the rainbow to the other.
It wouldn’t be a Me first and The Gimme Gimmes show if Spike didn’t come out with with his Ukulele and serenade us all with the start of ‘Ricky don’t lose that number’ With giant bedazzled sunglasses on, his white Mic stand in hand, and those bright gold tassels gleaming in the spot light. It was time! Time to forget about all your worries and sing your little hearts out! With each member coming out one by one they got into the full swing of things rocking our socks off to songs like ‘Leaving on a jet plane’ ‘On the road again’, and my personal favorite ‘Take me home’. One thing that sticks out to me is seeing the punk rock parents bringing their kids to these shows. It always reminds me of when I took my two boys to witness the Aquabats for the first time and how much fun this shows are! If you look in any direction in the venue you saw multiple families dancing and singing along to silliness that only Me First and The Gimme Gimmies bring.
Every time they go on tour you know it’s going to be one giant sing along party so break out your dancing shoes and get rocking.
Set list
Up second was El Vez and it was my first time experiencing him and hearing about him. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t do any research before attending this event. I was in complete shock (in a good way) when they all came out dressed up in a full Santa Claus get up. The energy and fun this band brings to the stage is second to none. I honestly don’t think I stopped smiling the whole set. El Vez is is out there and I could tell everyone, including me was there for it. He took on the Elvis persona and kicked up 10 notches and made it his own. El Vez is a damn good time and I’m hoping to catch them on a headlining tour in the future.
Opening up the night is one of my personal favorite punk bands ‘The Last Gang‘. I first saw them at Punk in Drublic festival in Mesa AZ. They completely blew me away with their endless energy and catchy songs. Literally every song they played pulled me and I couldn’t get enough. While they stay true to that in your face punk rock sound, I love that they throw in that reggae element and break it down every once in a while. My hat goes off to them for their endless work ethic and the non stop touring they’ve been doing. I expect big things from The Last Gang camp next year!
