ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre not going to make any sheep fucker jokes tonightÔÇØ; a comment by Jaret Reddick that sums up the whole of his band, Bowling For SoupÔÇÖs, puerile but light-hearted set at CardiffÔÇÖs Student Union.
Three years since they last played in Cardiff, on their alleged Farewell Tour, itÔÇÖs time for the ÔÇÿHow About Another Round TourÔÇÖ. This time, itÔÇÖs ValentineÔÇÖs Day, so there are hearts at the back of the stage alongside the cartoonish backdrop and ÔÇÿYe Olde Soup InnÔÇÖ sign. The same week that sees Sum 41 and Good Charlotte playing shows in Cardiff, itÔÇÖs like the last 15 years in music never happened. But this sell out show is the perfect alternative for anyone not in the mood for spending their ValentineÔÇÖs Day at BBC National Orchestra of WalesÔÇÖ Romeo & Juliet concert.
Where BBC NOWÔÇÖs concert begins with TchaikovskyÔÇÖs Romeo & Juliet Overture, Bowling For Soup begins with ÔÇÿThe Bitch SongÔÇÖ, and it doesnÔÇÖt get much more tasteful from there. Reddick and guitarist Chris Burney are very much from the Blink-182 school of onstage banter, joking about everything from masturbation to farting to One Direction, but highbrow social commentary was never going to sit well alongside their back catalogue.
ThereÔÇÖs no new album to promote, this is just a back-to-back run of fun nostalgia worthy of Live Lounge. There are times where song deliveries are a little rushed, but the songs themselves are definite winners, whether ÔÇÿ1985ÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿHigh School Never EndsÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿPunk Rock 101ÔÇÖ. Even acoustic numbers like ÔÇÿFriends OÔÇÖ MineÔÇÖ are delivered with a presence of overwhelming cheekiness. They donÔÇÖt even stop at their own songs; covers of ÔÇÿBasket CaseÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿMy Friends Over YouÔÇÖ and the ultimate love ballad that is ÔÇÿStacyÔÇÖs MomÔÇÖ all add to the playful atmosphere.
Rounding things off with ÔÇÿGirl All The Bad Guys WantÔÇÖ, this ValentineÔÇÖs Day, single or taken, everyone can agree on Bowling For Soup.
ALEC EVANS