Bouncing Souls - Tuesday 12th March, The Fleece

25 years ago New Jersey guardians of East Coast punk, The Bouncing Souls were leaving a prolific trail of destruction across the university halls and bars of North America.  Often gigs had to be abandoned or broken up by the authorities as the band tore up most of the country with their inflammatory live shows.  Mixing gritty working-class sensibility and uncompromising frenetic 3 minute power-punk the band has toured with Green Day, NOFX and Hot Water Music amongst others, dividing critics but never their devoted fanbase.

Taking to the stage at The Fleece in front of an edgy energetic crowd they launch into “Hopeless Romantic,” a catchy lighthearted intro which has the rather inanimate and slight front-man Greg Attonito at his most romantic; “I’m kinda lazy and I kinda stink but I’ll clean myself up for you.”  It’s a theme that continues as the band triumphantly hop around their 9 album back catalogue with main topics covering hanging out with friends (“Manthem”) and living life to the maximum (“True Believers”).   

Attonito looks far from focused on stage in what proves to be a confusing sight.  The band creating pandemonium in the pit but the ageing frontman remains almost motionless and a little awkward with a persona more of a 50’s crooner than respected punk icon.  Surely not an attempt at the nonchalant Mancunian swagger?!  It all gets a bit odder as the crowd, some of which have the followed the band over from New Jersey begin to invade the stage and jump into the rampant audience.  Completely unfazed and without raising more than a wry smile, Attonito simply walks away and repositions himself next to livewire and reversed baseball capped bassist Bryan Kienlen.

 

The band’s new material from last year’s “Comet” album is somewhat different to the tried and tested pre-Green Day college pop-punk.  Well received “Coin Toss Girl” sounds more Fountains of Wayne (“Stacey’s Mom”) than Rancid.  Hinting at a more melodic mid-paced future, Attonito’s vocals are on the money and the crowd unite in hailing “Call it in the air, everything’s fair.  I love you like a fool, what can I do, my coin toss girl.”  The final bars reminiscent of fellow Jersey legend Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born To Run’ but bereft of the latter’s trademark passion. 

Returning for a brief encore and we’re back to the hurtling garage punk that was commercially bottled and bastardised by Blink 182 and co.  Powerhouse drummer Michael McDermott gets the man of the match award tonight for some superb thrashing whilst some of the band appears like they’re going through the motions.  Overall it’s an enjoyable night; the band enjoying a cult-like following with a new generation of fans and for the most part it’s a great ride.  The band appear to be more about positive thinking, hedonism and rising over adversity rather than political rebellion; very much living up to their name as the Bouncing Souls.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-b/20300-bouncing-souls

Best track: Click on link below
Bouncing Souls: "Hopeless Romantic"

Setlist:

1.  Hopeless Romantic
2.  Private Radio
3.  Anchors Aweigh
4.  Kid
5.  Comet
6.  The Something Special
7.  Sing Along Forever
8.  Hybrid Moments (Misfits cover)
9.  Coin Toss Girl
10. I Like Your Mom
11. Argyle
12. Gone
13. Ship in a Bottle

Encore:
14. Kids and Heroes
15. True Believers
16. Here We Go

Albums available: