Uke-Hunt is a

ukulele The ukulele ( ; from haw, ukulele , approximately ), also called Uke, is a member of the lute family of instruments of Portuguese origin and popularized in Hawaii. It generally employs four nylon strings. The tone and volume of the instrumen ...

-based

cover band A cover band (or covers band) is a band that plays songs recorded by someone else, sometimes mimicking the original as accurately as possible, and sometimes re-interpreting or changing the original. These remade songs are known as cover songs. ...

fronted by Spike Slawson from

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (often shortened to just Me First or the Gimmes) are a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in San Francisco in 1995. The band's lineup consists of Spike Slawson, Fat Mike, Joey Cape, and Dave Raun. C ...

. Although both this and the Gimmes are cover bands, they have very different approaches. While the Gimmes generally pick non-rock songs, rock them out and speed them up to turn them into punk music, the songs picked for this band are generally upbeat songs that are then slowed down and mellowed out.

History

The band's origins start with Slawson learning to play ukulele when Me First and the Gimme Gimmes would perform their cover of

R. Kelly Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and sex offender convicted of racketeering and multiple sex offenses. During his recording career, Kelly sold over 75 million records worldwi ...

's "

I Believe I Can Fly "I Believe I Can Fly" is a song written, produced, and performed by disgraced American singer R. Kelly from the soundtrack to the 1996 film ''Space Jam''. It was originally released on November 26, 1996, and was later included on Kelly's 1998 a ...

" live. Slawson would then learn different songs on ukulele which led to this band. The band initially played on the San Francisco Wharf under the name Uke Hammer. The band was initially made up of Slawson on ukulele and vocals, Randy Burk on percussion and vocals and Jamin Barton on various instruments, including saxophone, melodica and harmonica. The band first appeared on the 2013 ''Fat Music for Fest People III'' compilation before releasing their debut single, " The Prettiest Star", in April 2014, followed by their debut, self-titled album in June 2014. The following year, the band went on their first national tour.

Members

* Spike Slawson – lead vocals * Jamin Barton - saw, saxophone * Randy Burk - percussion *

Joe Raposo Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH (February 8, 1937 – February 5, 1989) was an American composer, songwriter, pianist, singer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series ''Sesame Street'', for which he wrote the theme ...

- bass

Discography

"The Prettiest Star" 7" (2014)

"The Prettiest Star" was the first release by the band. It was released on April 29, 2014 by

Fat Wreck Chords Fat Wreck Chords (pronounced "Fat Records") is a San Francisco, California-based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett (better known as Fat Mike) in 1990. The label has released mater ...

Track listing

''Uke-Hunt'' (2014)

''Uke-Hunt'' is the debut album by the band. It was released on June 10, 2014 by

Track listing

Compilation appearances

The following releases feature songs by the band. * ''Fat Music for Fest People III'' (2013, Fat Wreck Chords) ** Features "Animal Farm", later released on ''Uke-Hunt'' * ''Fat Music for Fest People IV'' (2014, Fat Wreck Chords) ** Features "Needles and Pins" from ''Uke-Hunt'' * '' Mild in the Streets: Fat Music Unplugged'' (2016, Fat Wreck Chords) ** Features the exclusive " Xanadu"

References

External links

* {{Authority control Fat Wreck Chords artists Musical groups established in 2013 2013 establishments in California