Biography
The Bouncing Souls built an enduring career around anthemic punk rock delivered in classic East Coast fashion, relying on lean yet catchy melodies, passionate vocals, full-bodied guitars, and rhythms that suit either moshing or pogo dancing according to the listener's mood. The group emerged in the late 1980s and cultivated a following through nonstop touring paired with an intimate connection to fans. Early material straddled hardcore and melodic pogo-punk while incorporating a touch of ska. Tightening and accelerating their sound with greater weight in the arrangements defined the self-titled third album they recorded in 1997. Mainstream traction followed in the 2000s and 2010s as they issued Billboard-charting albums such as Anchors Aweigh (2003), Comet (2012), and Simplicity (2016), each supplying the upbeat punk their supporters expected. The punk veterans released their eleventh long-player, Ten Stories High, in 2023.
Formed in 1987 in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the Bouncing Souls consisted of high-school friends Greg Attonito on lead vocals, Pete Steinkopf on guitar, Bryan Kienlen on bass, and Shal Khichi on drums. The quartet had performed in separate local outfits before uniting. After graduation they relocated together to New Brunswick, New Jersey, a college town more receptive to punk than their previous surroundings. They adopted the name the Bouncing Souls as a nod to the “Bouncing Soles” slogan on Doctor Marten boots favored by punks, moved into a punk flophouse, rehearsed consistently, and played parties, basements, and any willing bar. A four-song demo appeared on cassette in 1989, followed in 1991 by the debut 7" Ugly Bill on Complex Records. In 1993 the band launched Chunksaah Records and issued the seven-song CD The Green Ball Crew EP, later reissued as a green vinyl 12" in 2013. Chunksaah released the first full-length, The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle, in 1994, which included several tracks previously heard on early EPs.
Heavy touring promoted the debut LP, and after the 1996 follow-up Maniacal Laughter the Bouncing Souls secured an opening slot on a Youth Brigade tour that exposed them to wider American audiences. Epitaph Records staff noticed both the sound and work ethic, signing the band in 1997. Their Epitaph debut, the self-titled third album, arrived before year’s end, though the group later described it as a rushed effort containing unfinished songs. Stronger form emerged on 1999’s Hopeless Romantic, which explored more personal lyrics while retaining energetic punk. The album marked a creative step forward for some listeners yet proved the final release from the original lineup; drummer Shal Khichi departed in 2000, replaced by Michael McDermott, previously of Murphy’s Law, Skinnerbox, and Mephiskapheles.
The Souls returned in 2001 with How I Spent My Summer Vacation, a fan favorite featuring “True Believers,” “Gone,” and “Manthem.” Following that album’s success and a major tour with Hot Water Music, they issued the 2002 compilation The Bad the Worse and the Out of Print. Also in 2002, BYO Records paired the Bouncing Souls with Anti-Flag for a split album containing new songs, covers, and mutual interpretations of each other’s material. Epitaph released Anchors Aweigh the next year; the documentary DVD Do You Remember? 15 Years with the Bouncing Souls appeared simultaneously. From April to November 2004 the band toured the U.S., the U.K., and Russia, recording shows whose highlights filled the two-disc Live set issued in 2005. On June 6, 2006, they released The Gold Record, jokingly calling it “the release of the beast.” Most of that summer was spent on the Vans Warped Tour, with further appearances in 2008 and 2009. Marking the twentieth anniversary of their first release, four four-song EPs appeared throughout 2009; highlights were collected as Ghosts on the Boardwalk.
Side One Dummy Records invited the Souls to record a live EP for the Complete Control Sessions series in 2011, which included a cover of the Misfits’ “Hybrid Moments.” After parting with Epitaph they issued 2012’s Comet through Rise Records in conjunction with Chunksaah; it was the final album featuring drummer Michael McDermott, who exited in 2013. George Rebelo, formerly of Against Me! and Hot Water Music, debuted behind the kit later that year at a private fan show. Simplicity, their second Rise/Chunksaah album, arrived in 2016. The thirtieth anniversary in 2019 brought the six-song EP Crucial Moments, produced by Will Yip, along with a special edition containing a book of photos and memorabilia documenting the band’s history. They also embarked on a 30th-anniversary tour spanning the United States, Europe, and the U.K. Volume 2 appeared in 2020, presenting ten reimagined tracks from the catalog plus the new song “World on Fire.” In 2023 the band released the Will Yip-produced Ten Stories High, a potent and melodic collection directly inspired by stories from their fans.
Formed in 1987 in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the Bouncing Souls consisted of high-school friends Greg Attonito on lead vocals, Pete Steinkopf on guitar, Bryan Kienlen on bass, and Shal Khichi on drums. The quartet had performed in separate local outfits before uniting. After graduation they relocated together to New Brunswick, New Jersey, a college town more receptive to punk than their previous surroundings. They adopted the name the Bouncing Souls as a nod to the “Bouncing Soles” slogan on Doctor Marten boots favored by punks, moved into a punk flophouse, rehearsed consistently, and played parties, basements, and any willing bar. A four-song demo appeared on cassette in 1989, followed in 1991 by the debut 7" Ugly Bill on Complex Records. In 1993 the band launched Chunksaah Records and issued the seven-song CD The Green Ball Crew EP, later reissued as a green vinyl 12" in 2013. Chunksaah released the first full-length, The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle, in 1994, which included several tracks previously heard on early EPs.
Heavy touring promoted the debut LP, and after the 1996 follow-up Maniacal Laughter the Bouncing Souls secured an opening slot on a Youth Brigade tour that exposed them to wider American audiences. Epitaph Records staff noticed both the sound and work ethic, signing the band in 1997. Their Epitaph debut, the self-titled third album, arrived before year’s end, though the group later described it as a rushed effort containing unfinished songs. Stronger form emerged on 1999’s Hopeless Romantic, which explored more personal lyrics while retaining energetic punk. The album marked a creative step forward for some listeners yet proved the final release from the original lineup; drummer Shal Khichi departed in 2000, replaced by Michael McDermott, previously of Murphy’s Law, Skinnerbox, and Mephiskapheles.
The Souls returned in 2001 with How I Spent My Summer Vacation, a fan favorite featuring “True Believers,” “Gone,” and “Manthem.” Following that album’s success and a major tour with Hot Water Music, they issued the 2002 compilation The Bad the Worse and the Out of Print. Also in 2002, BYO Records paired the Bouncing Souls with Anti-Flag for a split album containing new songs, covers, and mutual interpretations of each other’s material. Epitaph released Anchors Aweigh the next year; the documentary DVD Do You Remember? 15 Years with the Bouncing Souls appeared simultaneously. From April to November 2004 the band toured the U.S., the U.K., and Russia, recording shows whose highlights filled the two-disc Live set issued in 2005. On June 6, 2006, they released The Gold Record, jokingly calling it “the release of the beast.” Most of that summer was spent on the Vans Warped Tour, with further appearances in 2008 and 2009. Marking the twentieth anniversary of their first release, four four-song EPs appeared throughout 2009; highlights were collected as Ghosts on the Boardwalk.
Side One Dummy Records invited the Souls to record a live EP for the Complete Control Sessions series in 2011, which included a cover of the Misfits’ “Hybrid Moments.” After parting with Epitaph they issued 2012’s Comet through Rise Records in conjunction with Chunksaah; it was the final album featuring drummer Michael McDermott, who exited in 2013. George Rebelo, formerly of Against Me! and Hot Water Music, debuted behind the kit later that year at a private fan show. Simplicity, their second Rise/Chunksaah album, arrived in 2016. The thirtieth anniversary in 2019 brought the six-song EP Crucial Moments, produced by Will Yip, along with a special edition containing a book of photos and memorabilia documenting the band’s history. They also embarked on a 30th-anniversary tour spanning the United States, Europe, and the U.K. Volume 2 appeared in 2020, presenting ten reimagined tracks from the catalog plus the new song “World on Fire.” In 2023 the band released the Will Yip-produced Ten Stories High, a potent and melodic collection directly inspired by stories from their fans.
Albums
Singles
