Dancing Queen

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the infectious cover of "Dancing Queen" by Me First And The Gimme Gimmes from their album Blow it... at Madison's Quinceanera for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This punk rock rendition of ABBA’s classic has some wild trivia tied to it. In a 2018 interview with PunkNews, vocalist Spike Slawson shared that the band chose "Dancing Queen" for the album because it was a bold challenge to transform such a polished pop anthem into their raw, high-energy style. He quipped, “We figured if we could punk up ABBA without screwing it up, we’d earn some serious street cred.” The song was recorded live at a mock quinceañera party, complete with a rented venue and extras dressed in festive attire, to capture the chaotic vibe of the album’s theme.

On social media, the band’s Instagram posted behind-the-scenes footage of the "Dancing Queen" recording session, showing guitarist Joey Cape accidentally knocking over a piñata mid-take, which made it into the final track as a faint crash in the background. Fans on the Gimme Gimme Fans Facebook group have shared stories of hearing the song live, with one user recalling a 2019 show in San Francisco where the crowd formed an impromptu conga line during the chorus. The track’s playful energy also inspired a viral moment on X, where a fan tweeted a video of their dog “dancing” to the song, which the band retweeted with the caption, “Even pups are Zoo Freaks for this one!”

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes started as a side project in 1995, born from a group of punk rock veterans looking for a fun outlet. The band includes members from punk heavyweights like NOFX, Lagwagon, and Swingin’ Utters. According to their bio on their official website, it all kicked off when Fat Mike (NOFX) suggested they form a cover band to play their favorite songs with a punk twist, starting with country classics before expanding to pop and rock hits. Their first gig was a spontaneous set at a San Francisco dive bar, where they played a sloppy but spirited version of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” to a confused but delighted crowd. The loose, irreverent vibe stuck, and they’ve since released multiple albums of covers, each with their signature tongue-in-cheek attitude.

You can keep up with Me First And The Gimme Gimmes on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and goofy content like band members in tacky costumes mimicking ABBA for the "Dancing Queen" promo. Fans also gather at the Punk Covers Fan Club website, which features fan art and setlist archives for the band. The Gimme Gimme Fans Facebook group is another spot where Zoo Freaks swap stories and rare merch, keeping the band’s DIY spirit alive.