Uke-Hunt Explained

Uke-Hunt
Origin:San Francisco, California
Genre:Folk music
Years Active:2013–present
Label:Fat Wreck Chords
Associated Acts:Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Filthy Thieving Bastards, Lagwagon
Current Members:Spike Slawson
Randy Burk
Jamin Barton
Joe Raposo

Uke-Hunt is a ukulele-based cover band fronted by Spike Slawson from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. 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.[1]

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's "I Believe I Can Fly" 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.[2]

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.[3]

Members

Discography

"The Prettiest Star" 7" (2014)

The Prettiest Star
Type:single
Artist:Uke-Hunt
Album:Uke-Hunt
B-Side:Ben
Label:Fat Wreck Chords

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

Track listing

Uke-Hunt (2014)

Italic Title:no
Uke-Hunt
Type:album
Artist:Uke-Hunt
Label:Fat Wreck Chords

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

Track listing

Compilation appearances

The following releases feature songs by the band.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview: Inside Uke-Hunt with Spike Slawson . riffyou.com . May 28, 2015 . 2015-06-02 . 2016-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161225234636/http://www.riffyou.com/interview-inside-uke-hunt-with-spike-slawson/ . live .
  2. Web site: Drag The River, Uke-Hunt, Frankie Boots and the County Line (Record Release) . Thee Parkside . 2015-06-02 . 2016-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161225234754/http://www.theeparkside.com/event/149471 . dead .
  3. Web site: UKE-HUNT TOUR! . April 1, 2015 . 2015-06-02 . 2015-06-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150607083806/http://www.fatwreck.com/news/detail/817 . live .