Acoustic Rotation (An Acoustic Evening with Jaret & Erik of Bowling For Soup) Koko Club, Camden, Friday 15th April 2011
The announcement of a 2011 acoustic tour from Jaret Reddick and Erik Chandler must have launched a huge wave of excitement amongst Bowling For Soup’s fans. This years set of dates followed a hugely successful UK tour last year, and an annual return visit could well be on the cards after this, the finale of a fifteen date tour.
I arrived at the Koko Club in Camden just after six to find a mixed crowd already queuing around the block. A buzz of anticipation was in the air and the Koko Club’s beautiful interior was a magnificent setting particularly suitable to showcase the Texan duo’s considerable musical talents.
The lighting was subtle with a simple backdrop, and the stage was carpeted and dressed with a semi circle of acoustic guitars. Right on time, the entertainment kicked off with Erik Chandler and The Mulberry Street Socialites playing a short set. The band is a two piece (Erik and long time compatriot Linus Of Hollywood). Erik and Linus were swiftly followed by Jaret Reddick and Ryan Hamilton who together have recently formed another side project, People On Vacation. Half way through their breezy set, back came Linus to accompany them with some lively keyboards.
Acoustic rotation as I would call it, is a neat concept. All the members of the respective line ups slotted in perfectly. When anyone needed to take a break, someone else would step in to keep the audience entertained until they returned. There wasn’t time to get bored either. One guitar tech kept the adjustments to a minimum and changes between acts were barely noticed.
Then suddenly we were on to the main event of the evening. Enter Jaret and Erik (again) to the delight of the now boisterous crowd who launched simultaneously into demands for Bowling For Soup’s back catalogue. Unsurprisingly Jaret and Erik were happy to oblige and for the next two hours I was in for an absolute treat. A fine mix of hits yes, but also a fair smattering of banter and even a little bit of underwear 'thrown' in too. Belgium, Ohio, High School Never Ends, Punk Rock 101, the Girl All the Bad Guys Want and 1985 were all included as well as a couple of new songs from the band’s forthcoming album release Fishing For Woos. The album’s first single, a great feel-good song, S-S-S-Saturday was very well received, but the standout track for me was the beautifully crafted Turbulence which merits massive radio exposure on its own.
Jaret and Erik’s voices compliment each other perfectly and the standard of playing throughout was faultless. Overall, everything about this evening was joyful. With Jaret and Erik and their fans, it’s all one big happy family and I’m pleased to be the latest newborn.
Rob Pope
All Images: Rob Pope
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