Lagman frontman in one-off solo gig in Auckland
Plus Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Welcome to 2023! And what a welcome we have in store for you — a real double whammy some might say! Especially for punk rock fans and even for those supporters who like some of the more toned-down aspects of the genre.
MFATGG member and revered frontman of Lagwagon, Joey Cape, has just announced he’ll be doing an up close and personal one-off solo gig at Auckland’s iconic Whammy Bar on Sunday, February 19.
Showcasing his new album — the aptly named A Good Year To Forget — released in 2021, a year that saw Cape separate from his partner of 20 years, catch Covid, lose his father and move back in with his mother and step-father, you’ll also be treated to a host of other top songs from his solo and Lagwagon careers so in contrast to the album’s title — this will indeed be a night to remember!
His new album is not a punk album, it’s full of deep, powerful and poignant numbers that showcase his journey through 2021 — which was, like for so many of us, one of the most turbulent of his life.
Jimmy Glinster of heavymag.com. au in part had this to say about a couple of the album tracks:
“Album opener and title track A Good Year To Forget pretty much sums up the above-mentioned trials and tribulations with a sombre acoustic ballad. You can really hear the emotion in his voice during this track, and it’s delivered simply and effectively. Definitely not something you’d expect from a punk rocker, but tough times call for creative flexibility, and this is a pretty good warmup flex!
“Saturday Night Fever is a song about isolation, and the inability to go out and catch your usual Saturday Night Fever, but instead, just have to sit at home and drink by yourself while binging Netflix. Yeah, we’ve all been there.
“It Could Be Real has a good singalong vibe to it and the closer Come Home is a real gut-wrencher.
As Glinster concludes: “If you are looking for a punk rock album, this is not it, but if you want to hear some honest, down-to-earth, passionate storytelling then this is the one for you. The album captures a year of tragedy in an artist’s life and displays an impressive show of songwriting and musical talent. Buy a copy, listen to the stories, and help support a struggling artist!” Just when you thought you’d never see their faces again, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are hitting the road and good ole Aotearoa has made the hit list as they are heading back Down Under as part of their Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?! 2023 Tour, which is the main reason Joey is here in the first place!
They’re playing at The Studio (R.18) Auckland on Saturday, February 18, the day before Joey’s show. You’ll get to hear many of the world’s bestknown songs all superbly reimagined and performed by punk rock’s seminal supergroup.
Listen in awe as this who’s who composite band from the punk music world further prove to all and sundry that they sure know how to cross boundaries — both genre and generations.
Among their releases they have variously added a new dimension to country music with Love Their Country, taken a sledgehammer to pop and rock on their debut Have A Ball, gave a comeuppance to show tunes on Are A Drag, sent the 60s reeling with Blow In The Wind and smashed and grabbed R&B on Take A Break, so you can see they have a repertoire to cater for all tastes and occasions. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s been well worth the wait.
Rock it up with Me First And The Gimme Gimmes.
Now as we all know the touring line-up is always a bit of a mystery and we never quite know who will grace the stage to unleash their blistering repertoire — however . . . when duty calls for one of the Gimmes to perform with their other band, rest assured a travelling Gimme will step in . . . we just happened to notice that both Social Distortion AND Bad Religion are playing at Trusts Arena on Wednesday, February 15 (tickets from Ticketmaster). Given that Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham from Social Distortion and Jay Bentley from Bad Religion have both been regular touring players with MFATGG, can we assume they’ll both be extending their hotel check-out times?
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes and Joey Cape solo — two nights to remember.