First and foremost, let me be the first to say that I have been looking forward to this show for quite a while. Bowling For Soup was a pivotal band for me growing up, and I can still remember very vividly hearing “1985” on the radio waves. Does that make me old now? Looking back and saying “I remember when…,” I definitely sound like my grandfather now.
Here is the deal; thirty plus years is a long time to be in the music industry. There are some huge acts, bands and artists with platinum singles, that do not even make it a few years, let alone multiple decades (or more!) Jaret Reddick and the guys have done just that, celebrating the twenty year anniversary of A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. This was a tour paying tribute to an album that holds a very dear spot in many fans’ hearts.
Speaking of the fans, you know very well they weren’t going to take on a memory like this without bringing along some amazing friends to tour with them, and amazing they were. With a tour spanning the entirety of North America, and three separate legs, I was fortunate enough to catch the second to last show of the tour, featuring the incredible talent of Makeout, as well as Adam and the Metal Hawks.
Hailing from Rhode Island, Makeout is spunky and full of vitality. While I will admit that I did not recognize them at first, I was completely feeling them throughout the entire set. With energy fitting the best main stage acts, these gents show they have every bit of the skill and talent needed to make it far in the scene. Drummer Scott Eckel, vocalist Kyle Dee, and bassist AJ Khah have demonstrated just how much passion they have.
It wasn’t until the final song of their slot that I realized that I had heard them many times before, and even have their single “Crazy” on a few of my playlists. Funny how that works, right? Putting a face to the song some time later and then thoroughly loving the feeling it gives you.
With really catchy melodies and crazy drum fills, they had no problem getting the crowd up and moving. The emotion you could feel in the lyrics was exactly what you want from a punk band. I don’t think their delivery could have been any better!
There are a vast number of things I would like to say about Adam and the Metal Hawks. However, what I am going to say here is simple: WORTH IT.
I know I have said it before, but go see these guys. Not only will you have a hell of a musical ride, your enjoyment factor will be through the roof. Front man Adam Ezegelian has showmanship down to a science, and the rest of his cohorts on stage, Johnny Barry (guitarist), Ryan Daversa (bassist), and Griffin McCarthy (drummer), are all equally skilled at keeping you smiling and rocking the entire set.
If Ezegelian’s antics seem familiar, it might have something to do with the uncanny resemblance he has to Jack Black. While there are certainly a lot similarities there, I would venture to say he has solidified himself as a completely different and unique force to be experienced. His vocal range and control was top tier.
When a band opens their set with a number from Rocky Horror, you can safely assume it is going to be a exciting show. From dancing, crazy faces, even a tag team style train dance, there wasn’t a dull moment at any time during this performance. I had seen some of the antics while perusing social media, but none of that could have prepared me for just how outstanding they were live.
I can say, without a doubt, one of my favorite performances I have seen in recent years and I cannot wait to see them again.
None of this amazing night would have been possible if not for the long tested and tried hours put in by Reddick and the boys of Bowling for Soup. Chris Burney (guitar, backing vocals), Gary Wiseman (drums), and Rob Felicetti (bass guitar, backing vocals) have put in over thirty years working together. Starting together officially in 1994, and working tirelessly thereafter, the year 2004 brought us A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, the name sake and reason for this tour.
Playing the album in its entirety (along with a few others from throughout the years), Reddick made sure to give us all sorts of anecdotes and stories about the band as they traversed this time capsule. While Burney was not available to make this leg of the tour, this did not stop them from including him in stories, laughs, even toasts, and as a puppet. Yes, you read that right. When you can’t have a good friend with you to celebrate, you make a puppet of him, don’t you?
With all the antics on stage, as well as the stories, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when Ezegelian came back out on stage to join them for a song. What was a surprise to everyone was that it wasn’t just him to come out and join them. Bowling for Soup was the driving force behind the theme song of Phineas and Ferb on Disney, so it was kind of expected that they would perform this. However, whether planned or not, Ezegelian surprised everyone by bringing to stage the vocal actor of Phineas, Vincent Martella, to sing as well!
This show (and tour) was a tribute to one of the best punk rock albums of the last two decades, and the people who grew up on them. Hits that still get played today, anthems of generations past, and an attitude that will always be about not giving up and being completely authentic to yourself.
Here’s to another twenty years, and another Hangover!!
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