Photo by Jim Graham

Anchorless Records is releasing All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash on October 21. The record features covers performed by 16 bands that are just below the popularity line, including: Chuck Ragan, The Bouncing Souls, The Gaslight Anthem, The Dresden Dolls, and - most imp, Derekortantly - Russ Freakin’ Rankin doing “I Walk The Line.” It’s kind of a bummer that there aren’t any rockabilly bands on here. But there’s already a psychobilly tribute to the Man In Black, so I guess it’s okay. And yes, there will be a vinyl version. Go to www.myspace.com/weareanchorlessrecords to hear a few tracks. Read the rest of this entry »

Bouncing Souls, Sick of it All, Grey Area
September 19, 2008
Terminal 5

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I’ve seen the Bouncing Souls a couple a dozen times since 1994 and it’s always been kind of hit or miss. Some times they rock, and sometimes they just kind of stand there and play their instruments. Last night at Terminal 5 in New York, they kicked my ass all over the theater.

First up was Grey Area. I assumed they would be a metal-core act since they were on Victory, but boy I was wrong. The band consists of most of the remnants of Warzone with a pinch of No Redeeming Social Values and Crown of Thornz, but fronted by Ernie from Black Train Jack. That said, the band sounds nothing like the heavier bands in their pedigree and pretty much rock just like BTJ in their heyday. Really enjoyable power punk songs with a ton of melody. Good to see these guys are still floating around. Read the rest of this entry »

Bouncing Souls/Lifetime
Webster Hall
October 16, 2007

Damn, I knew the Bouncing Souls had gotten big over the years, but I don’t think I was ever expecting to see a packed ballroom singing along to every word of every song–even their cheesier work.

Lifetime took the stage after a handful of opening acts. The Jersey boys cranked out most of their crowd favorites, but never seemed to ramp of the energy in their stage show. The singer paced back and forth singing along, and one of the guitar players did the obligatory punk rock jumping guitarist thing every few songs, but all in all, the legendary Lifetime came off stale and okay. It’s almost like all the watered down emocore bands that they spawned have overshadowed Jersey’s Best Dancers. Then again, I remember seeing them in their heyday and the were only kinda okay back then too.

The Bouncing Souls came out to  soccer chants, and merrily cranked out classics like “Quick Check Girl” and “Johnny X” as well as a few newer numbers. Greg jumped into the crowd a few times, passing his mic around during “Hopeless Romantic.” Sure, they played a few hoaky slow tunes, but the crowd did not seem to mind. Everyone in the band seemed to have a blast, and the songs I knew were note for note perfect. Sure, I could wax nostalgic and wish they played “Hardcore,” but it was fun watching a band that was always on the cusp, finally crack into the big time.

The Bouncing Souls, Weston, Black Train Jack
October 12, 1995
William Patterson

The sign read: You must be eighteen years of age to enter the show. No one is allowed to touch each other at any point during the show. Ha! Well that got my evening off with a few strikes against me. First off, I am under 18, second, my friends are under 17. So what else could we do, but get there early, and waIk in with the band.

Weston opened up with “Just Like Kurt,” and played a really calm set. Every time the crowd would start acting up, Weston would plead for them to stop touching each other. It kinda sucked, but Weston was great.

TheBouncingSouls hit the stage with twice the intensity of Weston, and couldn’t give a shit about the no mashing rule. They opened up with “I Like Your Mom,” and ripped through a through a good chunk of their songs. Johnny X jumped on stage to play his part in “The Ballad of Johnny X” I was quite disappointed that through all the Bouncing Soul’s shows that I’ve gone to, they’ve never done “Old School” or “Inspection Station” and they stopped covering “Candy.”

Black Train Jack closed the show out. The crowd that stayed was pretty wild, but there was way too many cops around for my Iiking. There also seemed to be a ton of suits floating around the outskirts of the pit, checking out Black Train Jack. Well, at least no one touched me… I could have gotten cooties, or something.