Review: Bowling for Soup Live @ Rumours Rock City

It’s a new work week and I really have the long weekend blues, especially after one of my best rock shows on Friday night featuring Bowling for Soup at Rumours Rock City in Johannesburg.

Here’s my review of the Bowling For Soup show at Rumours Rock City

We arrived at Rumours Rock City at about 4:30 PM on Friday. The bands were busy with soundchecks and we sat outside having a few cold ones and a tequila or two to get the vibe going.

Finally the doors opened and everyone rushed to get the best view and it was not long before I found myself right in front of the stage. First up was Slippery When Wet. I haven’t seen them before so I did not know what to expect. Maybe I was expecting Pop Punk?

As soon as the music started playing and I heard  the loud drums and bass, I realised this is not pop Punk but old school Ska Punk (Rancid style). I absolutely loved it because it was something different. It was loud, it was fast, it was fun and it was punk rock at its best. They really knew how to get the crowd rowded up. If you haven’t seen them live, do yourself a favour and go and check them out.

Next up were the Pop Punk kings of the SA music scene, Made for Broadway

They also toured with Alien ant Farm (when they came to South Africa last year). As always their show was very energetic and fun and they really made sure that everyone there got off their asses and danced. Their new drummer plays a lot faster and aggressive than the previous one and Made for Broadway really set the vibe for an awesome punk show – one could feel the excitement.

After all the jumping up and down, Grassy Spark made their way onto stage and brought a laid back vibe. They got the crowd to sing along to many of their songs and made sure that they were saving up energy for what was coming up next…

The crowd started chanting and as I was lighting up a cigarette Bowling for Soup made their way onto the stage. They asked “How the fuck are you doing South Africa?” and started with The Bitch Song (one of their classics).

After that it was hit after hit and sing along song after another, from Punk Rock 101, High School Never Ends, Almost (my favourite), Life After Lisa right to Girl All The Bad Guys Want and 1985! This was absolutely amazing and in between songs Bowling For Soup made jokes about themselves and their weight and the South African heat.

Bowling For Soup even played “Stacy’s Mom“ (a song originally recorded by Fountains of Wayne). They said that everyone thinks that it’s their song, but they don’t see the money for it, so now they’re claiming it now – they were obviously joking.

Their entire set was full of jokes, energy and the best pop punk tunes you can wish for. I was even lucky enough to get one of the guitar picks. They also gave their drumsticks and set lists to the fans.

I would just like to take this moment and thank all the bands and Bowling for Soup and Breakout Management for making this a very special night. Hope there are a few more like this in the future.

Watch this space for regular updates in the Music category on Running Wolf’s Rant.