It’s April, spring is desperately trying to bring sun, warmth, and green to the continent, and it is time for a new band.

When I think of spring, I automatically think of driving around town with the windows down, listening to some really great tunes. Guster, Madina Lake, and Metric (all my former picks for BoTM) are all in heavy rotation in my car this time of year, as well as this month’s band, Bowling for Soup. They always seem to be on my ipod when I get stuck in traffic, or on the various bridge/tunnels connecting Hampton Roads, and Bowling for Soup keeps me sane in these horrible traffic situations. If that’s not the definition of “great band to rock out to in a car with the windows down,” then I don’t know what is.

Bowling for Soup was founded in the early 1990s in Texas. The current lineup includes founding band members Jaret Reddick (lead vocals and guitar), Erik Chandler (vocals and bass), and Chris Burney (lead guitar and vocals). Gary Wiseman (drums) joined the band in 1998. The band released their major label debut, Let’s Do it for Johnny!!, on Jive records in 2000, and have been entertaining people around the world ever since.

I first heard Bowling for Soup on the local college radio station back in high school, when the station played “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” in heavy rotation in 2002-2003. The song’s catchy lyrics and beat had me singing, out loud or in my head, and bouncing along for the majority of my senior year. After that, the wonderful Caity kept the BFS in constant rotation, and there were many a get together that included fun and catchy Bowling for Soup songs.

As you, the intelligent reader, can already tell, the tone of the majority of Bowling for Soup’s music is catchy, fun, and playful. Their major radio plays, such as “High School Never Ends,” “1985,” and the aforementioned “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” are all examples of the expected Bowling for Soup sound. They can get serious if they want to, and “When We Die,” is a great example of that.

If you have the chance to see Bowling for Soup live, do it. I had opportunity three years ago, in 2007, when the second Get Happy Tour came to Orono, ME. Caity, Manda, and I went to the show, and it was fantastic. The Bowling for Soup boys really know how to put on an entertaining show, even in the cramped conditions of the venue.

Bowling for Soup is probably the most international-friendly rock band I have come across. They have a large following in the UK, and when I was teaching Japanese uni students last summer, we all rocked out to Bowling for Soup while I drove my class to various activities.

So, after this exceedingly long intro to Bowling for Soup, read the other girl’s thoughts on the band, and see just how awesome they are. If you think you haven’t heard of this band, don’t recognize the songs mentioned in this article, or just need a refresher course, then check out their myspace to get (re)acquainted. They also have a great new album out right now, Sorry for Partyin’, that you need to get. That’s not optional, the album needs to be in your collection. And if you’re a UK reader, Bowling for Soup is starting a UK tour on April 7th in Birmingham. So, what are you waiting for? Go immerse yourself in some Bowling for Soup. You will not be disappointed.



Ahh Bowling For Soup... we're old pals. You and I? We've been friends for ten years, and you've never let me down. Solid as a rock for a decade!

Honestly, guys? Bowling For Soup is just one of those bands that you can't help loving! I have literally never in my life met anyone who doesn't like this band. (Except Linzy... Perhaps it's a generational thing. I'll convert her one way or another!) And what's not to love?? Every time a new Bowling For Soup record comes out, it's like a tight hug from an old friend. And cookies. It is incredibly rare that I love every single song on an album from any band. It is even more rare that I love every single song from an entire discography, but I do! I have never heard a Bowling For Soup song that I don't love.

The live show is so much fun and interactive! They are truly one of my favourite bands to see live. Between silly guitar/pick tricks, witty banter between band members, official beverage breaks, and awesome rock music, a Bowling For Soup show is like no other! If you haven't seen them live, you are truly missing out on so much fun!

Now those of you who say "I've never heard this band before!"... you're wrong. Yes you have, and I promise that you have bopped along and rocked out to at least ONE BFS song. Bowling For Soup is absolutely everywhere, you just may not know that you've heard them. But if you want a refresher course, I highly suggest heading to their MySpace page and getting your dance on.

PS: If anyone has a Jaret Reddick bobblehead doll, I will legitimately give you fifty bucks for it.



The first Bowling For Soup song that I ever heard, was "My Wena"; which instead of being humorous, I found to be irritatingly painful to listen to. Although a few of their songs were somewhat enjoyable (The more serious ones), I just couldn't get over that bad first impression. I'm horribly sorry to say that I found most of their music to be a bit of a joke, I just couldn't take Bowling For Soup seriously as an artist. What I CAN tell you, is that the Bowling For Soup songs that AREN'T supposedly humorous, seemed to make very good, meaningful, points. For example, "Much More Beautiful Person"; which reminded me strangly of what Weezer meets early Offspring would sound like. It's a really great song.

I am quite pained to not be writing a sparkling review for this band, because again, it was that first impression that threw me off. I cant help bur think that if I hadn't listened to "My Wena" first, maybe I would have loved Bowling For Soup! Unfortunatly, that is just not the case for this one.

If you are into humorous music, I think that you will like this band. If you think that naming a song "My Wena" and proceeding to sing about just that is funny, then again, you should check these guys out.

I may have not loved them, but hey! Maybe you will!



BOWLING FOR SOUP!! I don't have a lot of time to write this, so I will stick to the point. I have loved BFS since high school. I can remember walking to work everyday after school and rocking out down the street to Bowling For Soup. I would say that everyone thought I was a loser for rocking out while walking down the street, but I was already a loser!!

It's honestly hard not to like Bowling For Soup. Not only are they fun and wicked easy to just rock right out to, they do the freaking theme song for Phineas And Ferb!! Okay, you all knew THAT was coming. Seriously, Phineas and Ferb is one of my favorite cartoons and to add BFS to that - WIN! There was also an episode where they go into the future and BFS appears and plays a song for Phineas, Ferb and their future nephews. It was awesome! - Sorry about my Phineas and Ferb/BFS gush session. Listen to Bowling For Soup and remember - all you need is some ice cream and a hug. And if you don't know what I mean, then you really need to listen to BFS.



Bowling For Soup. I have to be honest I never really listened to them before. However, since i've been friends with the girls on the site I have taken a more keen interest in listening to them and seeing what they are up to. That is one thing I adore about being friends with all these girls, music gets shared and passed around. Sure, not all the time we like everything, but once in a while we get introduced to a band/singer that we both enjoy. When Doc pumped out the band of the month suggestion for this month I was excited. It sort of made me realize that I haven't listened to them in a long time (due to my indie/90's boyband kick as of late). So, as I write this I am pumping out some amazing BFS tunes.

I will admit that I am a sucker for their cover of the Flock of Seagulls song I Ran(So Far Away). I have a whole section on my computer dedicated to covers and that one has the most plays. Back in 2004 was when I really got back into listening to them again, mostly because of the excessive amount of airplay that their song 1985 received. I never really followed the band after that 2004 and kind of lost track with what they were doing. Now, I have completely caught up and have to admit that I greatly enjoy the new music from them I am hearing. I would greatly adore some day to see them live in concert and beg them to sing the Flock of Seagulls song. If they ever do and you are at a show, VIDEO it for me, post it on youtube then hook me up! That would honestly make my life.



YAY! Bowling For Soup! Okay. These guys are fantastic if I ever need cheering up. Their music is bright and happy and never ceases to put a smile on my face. I've been listening to them for awhile now, but meeting Caity really amped up the amount which I did.

My best Bowling for Soup memory would be going to see them in Orono Maine, and seeing them in this tiny, itty bitty venue with a wack of awesome people (Namely Caity). ...And then waking up stupid early the next day to drive to BOSTON to see them again. It was kind of amazing.

Definitely check out songs like "Get Happy", "Val Kilmer", "I'm Gay", "Trucker Hat", and "Almost". ...Well I could put a whole bunch more here, but... those are my favourites.

Listen to them. Do it!

Dear Bowling for Soup, and BFS loving community,

As you may know, Bowling for Soup was the Sound Faction's Band of the Month a few months ago. At that time, I was unsure of how I felt about BFS, due to the listening of a certain "My Wena". During my submission, I stated that I just didn't have pleasant feelings for them after that unfortunate song.

Ladies. Gentlemen. Music loving creatures of all ages; I write this note as an apology. My mind has been changed; I stand converted. Therefore, because I have changed my mind on Bowling for Soup (Well... Caity has.) I think it is appropriate to apologize for my words against them (well, Caity does.).

Bowling for Soup: you rock, and I am very sorry for not realizing your brilliance before. I swear that I will continue to starvedly seek your music, as long as you refrain from writing any more songs about strictly male organs.

Your new, feverishly obsessive, fan,

Linzy.