THE BOUNCING SOULS + Strike Anywhere + Loved Ones @ Foufounes Électriques

By T-Bone - 04/22/2007

I rolled into the Foufounes around 9PM and after talking to a few friends, I went to check out Static Radio NJ. I think I would have liked them if I gave them a chance; I decided to instead go outside and smoke cigarettes, drink some beers and talk to some friends. I guess the spring weather makes unknown bands, on a full bill, hard to give a chance to.

The Loved Ones came on and played a solid set. They’re from Philly and from what I hear, they have been touring constantly for some years. They were tight as hell; reminded me a lot of a great band from Philly called Plow United. They actually put out a 7" with the Bouncing Souls on Creep Records, a record label from Philly. Plow United, although they never got recognized internationally, were quite an amazing band. Check out their stuff if you like The Loved Ones. Anyway, The Loved Ones played that kind of fast, energetic, East Coast punk rock that reminds me of The Clash, with a bit more balls and speed. When that was done, it was good because I have been looking forward to seeing Strike Anywhere.

While they were setting up, I met up with my friends Sean and Maggy of Sound Central. If you don’t know already, Sound Central moved to the corner of Mont-Royal and Coloniale. Check them out; they’ll provide you with some sweet music for pretty damn reasonable prices. You know what, there is nothing better than -- while we are living in the digital age -- buying it from the mom 'n pop stores when you want to purchase some tunes. So anyways, Sean and I went for a smoke while SA set up. We talked about music and how stoked he was of his new location and just music in general. It was nice to hear of a record store that, through thick and thin, are getting to do it.

This was a nice conversation to have for what came up next. Strike Anywhere turned Foufounes into a DIY club space through energy and commitment. If you don’t think so, then the attempt was there. It is quite interesting to see bands deal with the relationship between business, marketing and punk ethics. Here you have a band that is now playing bar shows, have songs on the new Tony Hawk game that came on on the Wii and still try to pass on a message. I could tell that Thomas sometimes felt defeated, but his intensity as a singer and his commitment to his personal causes are extremely moving. What can be said about their set? They exploded and the crowd received. One interesting fact that I heard is that their new guitarist is 11 years younger than their old guitarist, born on the same date, and decided, for whatever reason, to wear his clothes while on stage. Kind of strange, but who knows. So I can’t say enough good things about Strike Anywhere. What was nice about their set is that by being an opening band, they were able to play a nice mix of songs from all their records. They finished off, the crowd and band were in communion and they passed the torch to the mighty Bouncing Souls.

Now on to one confession: the first time I saw The Bouncing Souls was in 96’ when they were opening up for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Athens, Georgia at the 40 Watts Club. The last time I saw them was opening up for Face To Face at the Spectrum in the late nineties -- I don’t really remember when -- and I haven’t heard anything after Maniacal Laughter, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Let me just say I was really impressed -- they sounded amazing. I thought I knew the songs from the opening riff, and then when the vocals would kick in, I realized it was a new song. Whatever, they were great! For interviews with Thomas Barnett, please check Roots Of Rebellion.

I walked down to meet my good friend Chris and saw some kid peel off the show poster. From watching him, I decided to take the other poster -- and we ended up talking with his other two friends as to how great the show was, and how great it was to see a solid punk rock show, and how great the Foufounes is to hear live music. When you have packed house, and it just sounds GOOD.

Anyway, that is all -- see you maybe at the free Sainte Catherines show, or the Reverend Horton Heat and Murder By Death show... both will be sweet.

[Check out Roots Of Rebellion.]