Bouncing Souls celebrate 20 years

For most Americans, 20^th birthday celebrations are fairly uneventful. You’ve already gained the right to vote and buy cigarettes. Twenty-one is within reach, but not yet, meaning there will be no (legal) alcohol-fueled celebrations. It is the unfortunate limbo between finally escaping those awkward teenage years and becoming what most consider a “real” adult. For the Bouncing Souls, punk rock veterans and East Coast enthusiasts, this milestone didn’t have to wait another year.

Throughout 2009, the Bouncing Souls celebrated twenty years together, inviting fans worldwide to join the party—and they weren’t checking IDs at the door. For the past year, the Souls released a new downloadable track on the first of every month, ultimately compiling these songs on to a CD that dropped in January. The CD, titled Ghosts on the Boardwalk, is an homage to what the band has stood for over the span of two decades—good times, great music, and an even greater sense of pride in what they do.

It’s easy for a band to record music for twenty years—some of them should have called it quits years ago. Celebrating the Souls’ twenty years in the business is unique—they have been D.I.Y. from the start, recording, touring, and promoting their music without the help of major labels or MTV. Bryan, Greg, Michael and “The Pete” have spent years on the road and have met thousands of fans, but their Jersey pride always brings them home at least once a year. Since 2007, the band has been recognizing their roots with their “Home for the Holidays” concerts, held in Asbury Park after Christmas. Fans near and far make the pilgrimage to a days-long nonstop celebration featuring after parties and meet and greets. Over the years, the show openers have varied from rap to “circus punk”—but there is always something for everyone. And fans never go home disappointed.

Souls devotees defy any specific demographic. “Tweens” and senior punkers alike have spent years debating with friends about their favorite songs, concerts and memories. At the age of twelve, after (legally) downloading “Gone” from their 2001 album How I Spent My Summer Vacation, I was instantly hooked. In the decade since, four additional CDs have been released, proving it is possible to successfully do what you love without the politics of major labels. The Ghosts on the Boardwalk is the crowning achievement of this—a dozen tracks that show listeners where the band has been and where they plan to go in the future.

The album bleeds passion, with every song serving as a reminder that the Souls show no signs of slowing down. Tracks like “Gasoline,” “We All Sing Along,” and “Boogie Woogie Downtown,” provide listeners with heartfelt, thought-invoking lyrics and plenty of “whoas” and “ohhs.” “I Think That the World,” and “Mental Bits” are lighthearted and optimistic songs with infectious beats that make you want to, well, just dance. Or push your way to the moshpit .

Many early era Bouncing Souls songs were all about having fun, going to shows, and doing what you love. Their song “Badass” harkens back to these times, citing all sorts of “badass stuff,” including Kung Fu, broken bones, and Harley Davidsons. The Bouncing Souls may have been around for a while, but they definitely have not lost their sense of humor.

The album’s last track “Never Say Die/When You’re Young,” leaves listeners with sage advice—to pursue your dreams and to always have a positive outlook along the way. I had intended for this to be a CD review. What resulted was an experience review. The Bouncing Souls cannot truly be experienced through a YouTube video or illegally downloaded track. Buy the CD, see them live. They have made it a lifelong point to care for their fans—and it shows. They’ve come a long way in the past twenty years, proving not only that punk still thrives, but that life can be a party at any age.