The Bouncing Souls, in a promo photo that I managed to run in about 5 different publications. (Contributed Image)
Today’s selections are just two songs that popped up on my iPod back to back the other day in the car.
Up first today is the Bouncing Souls, New Jersey punk superheroes who have been around for more than 20 years. I wouldn’t believe that myself except that I happened to catch one of the 20th anniversary shows in Boston on vacation a couple of years ago. They put out a new album, “Comet,” earlier this year, too.
I’ve seen them back when the Warped Tour was full of punk bands and I’ve actually seen singer Greg Attonito and his wife Shanti Wintergate perform at the Glass House Record Store in Pomona for a show that was kind of like punk rock acoustic kindergarten. They also have a kids-oriented group called Play Date.
My favorite Souls album from the band’s extensive catalog, hands down, is “Hopeless Romantic,” followed by the self-titled, then “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” I’m still kicking myself for not getting tickets in time to see them do “Hopeless Romantic” live in its entirety in Los Angeles.
One of my all-time favorite songs is the album’s “Wish Me Well (You Can Go to Hell)” and “Ole” is the song that wakes me up when my alarm rings every morning. However, I think the most iconic song on the record is the title track. I also love the sound of the needle dropping on vinyl to start it.
Another East Coast, punk-inspired band that I love is Less Than Jake. From Gainesville, Fla., they’ve had horns and more of a ska sound that developed into more of a power pop vibe. I am torn between “Hello Rockview” and “Borders and Boundaries” as to which my favorite album is, but today I’m picking “Nervous in the Alley” off the former because of its great horn intro.