Bouncing Souls top the punk scene

By Nate Seltenrich

The Bouncing Souls are not a passing fad, a one-hit wonder, or yesterday's news. Currently perched atop the punk rock world, they've been around for 13 years with only one change in the line-up, and have no plans to relinquish their post.

Globetrotting tours and an impressive body of recorded work have established the Souls, based in New York, as one of today's premier punk acts. But it's their carefree attitude, sense of humor, and passion for music that truly distinguish the Bouncing Souls from most of their brethren. Their sixth full-length release, 2001's How I Spent My Summer Vacation, takes the classic Souls philosophy to a whole new lyrical and musical level, proving the band's dedication to their art.

The Bouncing Souls are back on the road again this spring, and played the final show of the West Coast leg of their tour on Sunday at the Great American Music Hall. I talked with lead singer Greg Attonito backstage before the show.

The Santa Clara: Do you notice any differences between the kids at your shows here in San Francisco and those at other places you've played?

Greg Attonito: In general, I'd say it's pretty much the same, wherever we go. They know the words and they sing 'em and it's the same thing - people getting into it and dancing. Some places they dance more than others, some cities they dance a little bit more hard. It varies a little bit. Not much though.

TSC: Do you have a favorite place to play?

GA: I don't have a favorite. There's always different things, like little things that happen everywhere that are really interesting. You can always make an adventure out of it. But there's a few places that I love to go, like Australia. Just 'cause it's so far away, and the beaches are really nice. But there's always something interesting about everywhere you go, 'cause it's different.

TSC: How has it been for you to see the band attain such a huge fan base across the country and around the world?

GA: It's great to see 'cause we've played for so many years and it's nice to book a show and know that you're gonna sell it out or almost sell it out. It's just a great feeling and rewarding that we've achieved this much.

TSC: Considering all of the touring the Souls have done over the years, what's your gradual climb to the top been like?

GA: A lot of times, a lot of bands start on the radio, and then go from there. And that's fine, but if you start from the very basement, you develop relationships with your fans. As a live band, we were just a good live band. We didn't necessarily record so well, but we put on a good show. And if you play a good show, I know for myself, I remember that show. Like your whole life, you remember one show.

You're like, that was a great show. So that sticks with you, even if years later you don't go see the band, but you might see the name. You're like, that was a great show, I would go see them again. So I think by that respect, it's the harder way. It's not easy to be a good live band. It's easy to make a good recording and have it come off. But I think, just our personalities and the way we perceive music, that is the way we wanted to do it.

TSC: Now that the band has achieved so much success, would you consider radio play?

GA: As far as that, we've gone for that, really, the last couple records. A lot of what you hear on the radio is there because a lot of money is behind it. So if we really wanted to, Epitaph probably would put tons of money behind it. But we don't want to spend the money that way, 'cause it's so excessive. They just do what they do, and they push the radio as hard as they can when the record comes out and if they play it that's great. We want them to play it on the radio.

TSC: When was the last time you had a day job?

GA: I used to make futons in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1994. And Kate, who now runs Chunksaah Records, our record company, she was my boss. We would try to make as many futons as we could before we went on tour. We would come back, and she'd be like, we gotta work, we have nothing left! Since then, I haven't had any job in one place. My job's everyday. I wake up and I work.

TSC: The Bouncing Souls are all about music and life and friends. Have you ever felt pressured to have any kind of social or political commentary in your songs?

GA: I always in the past have written from a part of me that wanted to improve myself. There's always something from relationships, experiences that I've had. As far as political commentary, I feel now, from what's going on in the world, more inclined to talk about those things, where in the past I haven't.

TSC: If the Bouncing Souls' message could be summed up in one sentence, what would it be?

GA: Be yourself. It sounds so corny, but you know what I mean? It's about fightin' to be yourself.