Bowling for Soup: "We are just going to keep plugging away"

Regulars on the UK campus live-music scene pop-punkers Bowling for Soup are set to return once more to Blighty – well, two of them anyway! Front-man Jaret Reddick and bassist Erik Chandler are embarking on their third annual ‘Bowling for Soup: Jaret and Erik Acoustic UK Tour.’

The tour brings more BFS related goodies to the stage in the shape of Chandler performing solo and Reddick’s side-project People on Vacation alongside Smile Smile guitarist and vocalist Ryan Hamilton.

TNS caught up with Jaret Reddick ahead of the tour:

The name Bowling for Soup comes from a Steve Martin stand-up comedy album called ‘Wild And Crazy Guy.’

“He does a bit in there where he refers to a TV show called ‘Bowling For Shit,’” explained Reddick.

“The name seemed to fit until we started trying to book shows. At that point, it needed to change. In interviews, we used to try and come up for a different answer for this question every time we got asked which, in 18 years is a lot!”

Having been together for so long, the band doesn’t have any bad habits, but Jaret thinks they, “all drive each other crazy in one way or another. We all snore now, so we can’t throw that one at Chris!”

Despite releasing eleven studio albums, Bowling for Soup aren’t finding it difficult to create new music.

“Bowling for Soup is what it is and I think we have found our niche,” he explained.

“These days, the songs just kinda come to me. The important thing about BFS is that we are what we are.”

Speaking about the band’s fans, Reddick explained that they listen to Bowling for Soup for certain reasons. “They want to smile or they need a pick me up or sometimes they just want cry in their beer. Those are the things we do.”

Bowling for Soup’s favourite city in the UK is Manchester, where they are returning to on their upcoming tour.

Jaret explained why he loves the city: “They are always there in droves and always insane. We love the Academy and the Apollo. That said, all of the UK are great cities and there are amazing venues throughout.”

The acoustic tour, which begins on 26th March in Northampton, also visits Glasgow, Manchester, York, Birmingham, Southend On Sea and London. VIP tickets will go on sale for the tour.

Jaret described what this would consist of: “We try and change it up from tour to tour. The idea is always to give the VIP fan something they would not see anywhere else.”

He continued: “This tour, we are going to bring myself, Erik and Ryan out to do an impromptu acoustic-story telling show for the VIPs. The fans will decide who plays a song and when and some will be able to ask us questions. Every night will be different. Then we will have professional photos done and everyone gets a signed poster, not to mention a front row spot, if that is their thing… I prefer to be closer to the bar.”

In the future, Bowling for Soup will be “sporadic touring and releasing some new music this year and then we’ll start thinking about a full album next year.”

Jaret added: “Did I mention we will be back as a full band in October!? Basically, we are just going to keep plugging away!”

Tickets for the tour go on sale from Friday, January 20^th (available here). Further details are available on the Bowling for Soup website. 

Tour Dates
JARET & ERIK ACOUSTIC TOUR
 
MARCH
Mon 26 Northampton Roadmender
Tue 27 Glasgow King Tuts
Wed 28 Manchester Club Academy
Thu 29 York Duchess
Fri 30 Birmingham Academy
Sat 31 Southend Chinnery's
 
APRIL
Sun 1 London Koko
  
PEOPLE ON VACATION 

HEADLINE DATE
POV will play their first ever UK headline. 
+ Erik Chandler (solo)
 
MARCH
 Sun 25 London Borderline