Bowling For Soup interview

First of all, how did you form the band?

Eric (Bass player): I was in two bands with Chris before we formed Bowling for Soup and Jarat was in another band with our original drummer Lance and we used to rehearse next door to each other and watch each others shows. All the bands broke up about the same time and Jarat said “hey, you’re a bass player do you want to come and practice with us?” We more or less just hung about together, having a couple of drinks and then all of a sudden 3 months later we had an album’s worth of songs and recorded our first album. We started playing around a bit and that was 14 years ago!!

How did you get your break?

You know, I can’t say that there was one moment that was the actual break cause there has been just a slow steady rise the entire time we have been together but I will say that we had signed our record deal in 1999, my birthday, November 22nd, so that was a great birthday present! But it definitely got worse before it got better so it’s just been really a slow progression of several things. In 2003 we were nominated for a Grammy and that did a lot to help us and at the same time we started doing really well on radio, so that was really cool. A big portion of the success we’ve really enjoyed was down to the UK, we did our first couple of shows over here after our first album. One of our first shows we played in this country was Reading and some really, really kind reviews helped us. We knew we were getting famous when we walked through the crowd at Reading and some girl grabbed my sleeve and said “You’re Bowling For Soup aren’t you?” The crowds were amazing.

When you were young did you idolise any bands?

Still do! I am a huge Billy Joel fan and in fact my wife was making fun of me last week because she was listening to some songs on my ipod and she said are Billy Joel and Elvis Costello the only artists you listen to?!! Elvis Costello, Police and I love Ryan Adams.

What advice would you give to a band starting out?

Rehearse… rehearse……. rehearse………….and don’t suck!!!!!! We used to for the first 4 years probably, rehearse every night 6.30 in the evening until 1-2am, playing songs over and over again and it got to the stage that you could play your show in your sleep – it helps you get a tight bond with your band and you get real close to each other.

You must have had such a laugh playing songs like I’m gay?

Oh yes, that song in particular, Jarat brought it in to the studio when we were working on songs for the new album and the ‘I am Gay’ part hadn’t been written yet. We needed something to write down and we tossed around ideas over ‘ I’m gay’ and we weren’t sure if we could do that! We thought we could probably get away with it and so we thought screw it lets try it and see what happens! The whole writing process came together but it’s like taking tests all day long. It’s hard work but fun at the same time.

Are any of your songs based on true events?

Yes, most of them are, our songs are based on real life, it may not be our real life, maybe someone around us. We have managed between us to have a few messed up relationships and that’s kind of helped a lot!!!!

By Dunkz
- 14/08/08