Featured Artist

Bouncing Souls seems to have been all over the east coast as long as I can remember. When did and how did Bouncing Souls start?Bryan- The band was born as an extension of hanging out together after school. We would skate, drink beers sometimes, go to all the shows, and eventually learned how to play songs together. The four original members wrote our first original in ’87 but we still had a couple years of high school to go, then we really starting taking the band more seriously around 1989. We’ve basically been playing all over as much as possible since then.

How would you describe the Bouncing Souls to someone who has never heard them?Bryan- Rock and roll. “Punk rock”, “hardcore”, and terms like this are all really just different moods/attitudes/versions, descriptions of rock and roll. The Bouncing Souls write and perform our personal version of rock and roll. I wouldn’t want to peg our music into any narrower description. It’s a path of discovery, and a constant evolution. Punk rock was the scene that nurtured the Bouncing Souls and gave us a sort of home throughout all these years. To me, punk rock was more than a fashion or even a sound. It was an ideal, something to believe in. Its history is filled with people and bands I was really moved and inspired by. I spent my life living up to ideals I learned from punk rock.

Could you tell the readers about the making of your first record with BYO Records in 1995? Greg- Well, We only had about 5 or 6 songs when we arrived in L.A. to record. We had about a week to write a few more and we were lazy. Shawn Stern had a rehearsal space in his house where we were staying so we had no excuse but to get down there and do it. We went to visit Jack from Tsol and he was doing the first Joykiller record around then too. That was good moment for all of us I think. We wrote Lamar Vannoy in that week too. I’m kind of dropping random memories here.....o yeah..Every member of Kiss came to visit our Manaical Laughter recording session with Thom Wilson . That was RAD! They were recording in the studio next door.

You’ve done hundreds of shows all over the world, what are some of the most memorable moments?Greg-  Most recently it would have to be our show at Budokan, Tokyo. Budokan is a historic Japanese stadium built primarily for judo events. They don’t have a lot of music/rock concerts, so it’s rare to play there at all. Thanks to My Chemical Romance for inviting us and making it a great night. Then there’s places like Tasmania and Rapid City South Dakota we met some really stoked people. The far away places are sometimes the most fun. Another memorable moment was at the end of the Gold Tour in small place called the Otto Bar in Baltimore. We invited almost all the guitar players in the other touring bands to play “True Believers” with us. The stage was so small I climbed up into the balcony and sat with the people up there and sang with them. There was no place else to go. It must have been pretty cool from the audience. Or bad...it was probably a massive mess of guitars. It’s what we like to call Guitarmageddon.

Where is your favorite place to play shows? Greg-  I like N.J. It really feels like home.

Did you guys ever get to play at City Gardens before it closed? Bryan-  Sure did. We were regulars at that club as kids, and eventually started getting lots of shows there as the local opener. We played with Bad Brains there, Rollins band, The Ramones, Sick of it All and Agnostic Front, (back in 91) and lots of other shows.

I believe I saw the Bouncing Souls play at some punk bar (with a little stage on the 2nd floor) in New Brunswick in 1995/1996 (I think). What would you say is that one place that you would consider your “Home” stage or venue? Bryan-  CBGB’s is the first place that comes to my mind, I was devastated when it closed down. I particularly love clubs that date back to the days before the Souls, the places I used to go see shows when I was still in high school. I like clubs where the graffiti dates back years; one can get a sense of history just by walking into a place like that. CB’s was the ultimate venue in m opinion, and was indeed one of many homes for the Souls. Having made a life on the road, we’ve made a few places our home, so there is no simple answer to your question unfortunately. More like a string of homes along some strange journey.

Tell us about the Tour in Japan you had in the end of May/ beginning of June. Bryan-  We flew in from NYC with all the bands that were to be part of this festival. The line-up was (in no particular order) The Bouncing Souls, Sick of it All, Murphy’s Law, Madball, H20, Harley’s War, Underdog and I may be forgetting someone. So needless to say, I had a blast running around with so many of my friends in one place, and in Japan no less! We spent a couple days in Osaka which was a first for everyone. It was funny to see all us tattooed jamokes in the swimming pool, forced to wear these black long sleeve shirts (supplied by the hotel staff, and worn at their request). The upside was all the fun we had together, the downside was that it was this promoter’s first show there were a lot of logistical problems and uncertainty along the way.

The Bouncing Souls played the Paul Green School of Rock Festival with Bad Brains. Tell us about playing a show with Legends like the Bad Brains.Bryan-  It’s always an honor to play with legends, and we’ve been lucky enough to have had a few shows with them over the years. It’s cool enough just to be able to watch them do their thing from side-stage, the best seat in the house. At the Asbury show, Jimmy Gestapo and I sat next to each other and compared goose-bumps on our arms during some of the classics. Fuckin Bad Brains. O.G.!

Could you provide some insight to the readers about the thoughts & inspiration behind the song “Letters from Iraq”? Bryan-  It was a great opportunity to be able to lend our music to a friend with something he needed to express. That friend is Garrett Reppenhagen, who served a long and all-too-real tour in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier. The words are his experience, written in his language. They paint a seldom-seen, grim but very true picture. We just felt it was an important perspective that needed to be recognized, and were happy to help. The song rips.

What are your personal thoughts on the war in Iraq right now? Bryan-  There is a serious lack of diplomacy on both sides, that’s for sure. I wish I had a practical solution to offer at this point, but I’m just watching and sweating like everyone else. This war never needed to happen in the first place.

What are you thoughts on the current political environment right now? Bryan-  Did you see “Team America: World Police”? What was that whole quote about dicks and pussies and assholes? I think the truth tends to get overlooked in this colossal struggle between the far right and the far left.

What is your favorite Bouncing Souls song to play live?  Greg-  East Coast Fuck You...cuz it feels good every time.

How did your record label “Chunksaah Records” get started and what are the goods and bads about having your own label?  Bryan-  Chunksaah Records was started out of necessity. We needed to get our music out there and no one was gonna help us, so we did it ourselves. Simple as that. Over the years, it’s been great when we can release music for bands we really like, it’s also good to have a sort of stable home address as we have been bouncing around like gypsies all these years. Chunksaah is also a mail-order source of all old-school Souls vinyl and the classic original t-shirts. The downside is that for all the energy it consumes, it’s still more of a money-pit than a money-maker.

What is your evaluation of the current punk scene?  Bryan-  Punk’s popularity seems to ebb and flow in some kind of cycle I think. To that end, it feels like punk’s been relatively quiet, while emo has been having its day in the sun. The true spirit and core of believers that comprises punk rock will never die. There are always great new bands coming along who have a fresh take on things and from whom we can all learn something. Just like the Bouncing Souls, punk is an idea, an expression from the heart. That will live on forever.

Who are your musical influences?  Bryan-  Rock and roll in most of its forms. I love a lot of different stuff including hip hop, blues and outlaw country, but when I’m in a mood, there’s no substitute for loud, fast rock and roll with an attitude.

The Bouncing Souls have recorded tons of songs, how do you guys go about writing new songs ?Bryan, Pete, Greg, and myself all write lyrics throughout the year. As for putting music together, it has happened many different ways. The old stuff was written all together in a jam room, a lot of it spontaneously. The Gold Record was written with all members present for most of its entire birth as well. “How I spent My Summer Vacation” and “Anchors Aweigh” were mostly written by Pete and myself with Greg joining in later, learning what we had written, and adding a song or two which we then put to music.

What do each of you do when you’re not playing music or touring? Bryan- I train kickboxing full time, drink beer with my friends, and ride my Harleys. I like big cross-country rides, I’ll be heading out to Sturgis in about a week. Oh yeah, Pete and I are writing songs again, but this time it’s for our new band, “Roadside Prophets” Tomorrow’s our first official practice. We recruited Bobby Drake and Tad Kubler from The Hold Steady. We’ll also be in the studio producing the new Loved Ones CD.  Greg-  My wife Shanti and I are releasing a children’s book called, “I Went For A Walk” this Sept. Shanti wrote the story and I created all the illustrations. We will be doing a book reading/music tour of the east coast and west coast this fall. Check it all out @ www.myspace.com/iwent4awalk