8 Albums That Prove 2014 Is The Comeback Year For Punk Rock

1. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - "Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtJ_rvgVApM Cover bands usually remain unnoticed and perform solely at local bars and fairs; they don't usually tour worldwide, let alone have an album included on the most-anticipated album lists. One of the most well-respected and unique cover bands currently around, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, have not released a proper full-length since 2008's "Have Another Ball," but are on the verge of releasing a follow-up on May 13th, titled "Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!" The album's title may be a reference to a classic Devo album, but the encompassing songs are all covers of songs performed by female artists (with the exception of a Culture Club cover, though one could argue otherwise) such as Paula Abdul, Madonna, Celine Dion, and Cher, to just name a few. This punk rock supergroup have been performing since the mid-1990s, and are known for their themed (60s, R&B, showtunes, etc.) cover albums. They consist of singer Spike Slawson (ex-Swingin' Utters), Fat Mike (NoFX), Dave Raun & Joey Cape (Lagwagon), and Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters, ex-No Use For A Name). Their upcoming eighth studio album make it the longest gap between albums to date (though they did release two EPs during this time), likely because all the members have been fully involved in their respective main groups. They put an obvious punk rock spin on some of the world's most famous songs - with distorted power chords, aggression, and raw vocals - from "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to "Uptown Girl" to "My Boyfriend's Back." If there is a cover band that should be listened to, it's Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.