Wild World

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the punk-infused cover of "Wild World" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, featured on their 2001 album Blow in the Wind, transforms Cat Stevens’ folk classic into a high-energy punk anthem with a tempo of 188 BPM, driven by chords E, B, A, and B. In a 2014 interview with Scene Point Blank, Joey Cape, guitarist and backing vocalist, shared that the band’s covers are rarely sarcastic, revealing a genuine love for the original songs. He noted, “For the most part we are united in the love for those songs. I think most of them are great songs and all we do is format them so someone else can get past the cheese and hear the core melody and arrangement.” However, Cape admitted that some covers, including potentially "Wild World," might be “butchered or in jest” for fun, aligning with the band’s playful ethos. The song’s punk arrangement and Spike Slawson’s distinctive vocals make it feel like their own, a hallmark of their cover style.

Delving into social media, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes’ Facebook page, boasting over 153,000 likes, often shares nostalgic posts about their tours and albums, including Blow in the Wind. A fan comment on a recent post reminisced about seeing them perform "Wild World" live in San Francisco, describing the crowd’s wild energy as “pure punk chaos.” On Instagram, the band’s bio proudly declares them the “World’s Greatest Cover Band,” and while they don’t post frequently, their grid features throwbacks to performances where "Wild World" often gets shoutouts in captions for its crowd-pleasing vibe. Their X account is less active but occasionally retweets fan covers of their songs, including a lo-fi bedroom recording of "Wild World" by a Zoo Freak praising its “raw, heartbroken edge.” Fans have also created spaces like the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks swap stories about discovering the band’s version of "Wild World" and debate its emotional depth versus the original.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes started as a side project in 1995, born from a group of punk rock veterans looking to have fun outside their main gigs. The core lineup includes Spike Slawson (vocals) from Swingin’ Utters, Fat Mike (bass) from NOFX, Joey Cape (guitar, backing vocals) from Lagwagon, Dave Raun (drums) from Lagwagon, and Chris Shiflett (guitar) from Foo Fighters, with his brother Scott Shiflett stepping in for tours. According to their bio on Last.fm, the band formed to play covers for the sheer joy of it, debuting live on April 20, 1996, at the Chameleon Club in San Francisco. What began as a casual jam session evolved into a punk rock supergroup, reimagining classics across genres with their signature fast-paced, irreverent style. Cape mentioned in the Scene Point Blank interview that their process is low-pressure: “Playing others people’s songs takes some of the pressure off artistically because they’re not your tracks,” yet they strive to do justice to the originals. Their chemistry and shared love for music have kept them going for nearly three decades.

The band’s official channels—website, Facebook, Instagram, and X—offer glimpses into their ongoing legacy, with the website featuring tour dates and merch. Beyond official platforms, fans have built communities like the Punk Rock Theory fan site, which chronicles their discography and shares reviews of tracks like "Wild World" for its “infectious energy.” The Facebook fan group remains a hub for Zoo Freaks to connect, often posting grainy concert videos of "Wild World" performances, celebrating the band’s ability to make a 1970s ballad feel timelessly rebellious. Whether through interviews or fan-driven spaces, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes’ take on "Wild World" continues to resonate with their audience, blending nostalgia with punk rock flair.