Dead End Drive-In: Now Showing: ‘Bowling For Soup – Acoustic In A Freakin’ English Church’
Written by Dave Prince
Sunday, 11 December 2016 06:30
Since 2010, Bowling For Soup – or, I should say, Jaret and Erik – have been bringing their big rock show to the UK, albeit acoustically; and, at last, this is the product of the farewell tour’s acoustic show that was filmed and recorded back in October 2013 at London’s amazing Union Chapel. The setting for this first official acoustic release is quite breathtaking. Available on both CD and DVD, the track listing for both editions is the same which is a nice treat for fans who want both – although some of the between song banter has removed from the CD.
If you have ever been to a Bowling For Soup show, be it acoustic or electric, you know that comedy is part and parcel of the package and this, is no different. Even walking on stage the duo can’t help but crack jokes. This is the form for most of the in song banter. Which is like a comedy show on its own. For example, the urine extracting birthday boy Scott gets is a sight to behold. However much I love both sides of the band, it’s the songs that keep me coming back for more.
The show was recorded on the back of 2013’s ‘Punch Drunk Love’. So, watching the DVD is a pleasure, as it captures them on fire and at the height of their power. The career-spanning set list reads like a BFS fan’s wet dream. Sure, there are songs left out. But for me it is perfect. Rarely heard songs get an airing, which, along with the usual suspects and some Disney greatness, combine for a great night’s hearing/viewing pleasure.
The DVD counterpart is a glorious feature that sits happily up there with the band’s previous release 2008’s ‘Live and Very Attractive’. One thing that the viewer will get from watching this DVD is how much fun Jaret & Erik have on stage and the interaction with the fans. Having witnessed these acoustic shows in person, I can confess that while the songs are what everyone goes for, it is the synergy that flows throughout the entire performance that is captured brilliantly here in this perfectly timed Christmas present for the Bowling For Soup fan – or any music fan in general.
The band are currently riding a golden wave over here in the UK at the moment, thanks due to their participation in the autumn’s Steel Panther tour ,along with the release of ,Drunk Dynasty, and the announcement that they are to make their Slam Dunk debut in May 2017!
So, do yourself a favour and get this fantastic document on CD and DVD of a band/duo at their best. You’ll thank yourself, and what’s better than an early Crimbo pressie to yourself!?