Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 <silence> Louder than life. The biggest rock festival in America is back with the loudest lineup ever. Foo Fighters Green Day tool, A sevenfold God smack Panera Queen to the Stone Age, the Biz plus Weezer, mega daf Turnstile, rancid falling in reverse. Three 11. Here's the veil. Run the Jewels. Cory Taylor, co Heated Cambria, and so many more. 100 bands over four days in Louisville, Kentucky, September 21st through the 24th. Get show passes on sale now at louder than life festival.com. A Foo Fighters Green Day tool, A benched sevenfold, Godsmack, and more. The biggest rock festival in America. Louder than life.
Speaker 2 00:01:25 What's up everybody? This is Sam with Rowdy Alternative. I'm here with Jarret Reddick, also known as Jarret Ray Reddick, uh, lead singer for Bowling for Soup, obviously. And also he's doing a lot of other stuff, to be honest with you, which we'll hit on <laugh>. How you doing, man?
Speaker 3 00:01:42 Man, I'm doing great. Yeah. It's, uh, it's, um, I, I never really know how to introduce myself anymore because really all I'm doing is going by my full name now, <laugh>, uh, with the company <laugh>. But it's so funny 'cause I, over the years of Bowling for Soup, I used a fake name and then I didn't use a last name. And then I, now I'm then I used my real name. And so, uh, I guess if I'm ever wanted for murder, there will be tons of aliases. <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:02:06 Yeah. So you'll be good then I think.
Speaker 3 00:02:08 Yeah, man. I should be, uh, yeah. I, it's just, I, you know, the mistake I made was using Jarret every time. <laugh> <laugh> not really gonna get away too much. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:02:19 Just say, go by Jerry or something. I don't know.
Speaker 3 00:02:21 Right. Gerald? Jerry.
Speaker 2 00:02:23 Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:02:24 Yeah. That's basically what I've been called all my life anyway, like nobody ever nailed it. Um, and most substitute teachers would call me Janet. Oh, wow. You know? So, yeah. Just, uh, and, you know, and in fourth grade, that's hilarious. Sure. For all the other kids, <laugh>. Um, well, yeah, man. Thanks for having me. Yeah,
Speaker 2 00:02:42 Absolutely. Um, I, I see you guys are, uh, about to kick off a big old tour.
Speaker 3 00:02:49 Yeah. Um, you know, we, um, we were fairly busy, um, in the, in the first of the summer over doing the, um, and we're talking bowling for soup. We were over, you know, doing the European tour, uh, festivals and stuff. And then I pretty much just been doing country for the rest of the summer. I got two more country shows, uh, this weekend coming up. And then I'll be in Bowling for Soup Bill for quite a while. Um, we're doing a tour called Getting Old Sucks, which was a song off of our, of our last record. And, um, yeah, it should be good. I mean, it's been a while since we've been out on the road in, in the US it's been about a year mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and so, uh, it's, we're we're long overdue.
Speaker 2 00:03:30 Yeah, right on. I, that's the, I was wondering, when I was going through, I was going through like your recent, you know, recent bowling for soup news and whatnot for this, and I was, it came to mind, I was thinking like, what is, from when you guys first started or when you're, you know, like when, uh, you had like a hangover, we don't deserve came out, or around that time to now, what is the biggest change that's the most obvious to you when on the road? Like, what, what's the hardest thing to deal with or the best thing to deal with some, anything like that?
Speaker 3 00:04:03 I mean, the, the first of all, you know, in those days we didn't have families. And, and, uh, so really it was just, you know, the first 10 years or so, it was really just go mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And we didn't really have a whole lot of reason to come home, you know? And then, uh, I had my first kid 2003 and, and so that changed a lot of things. Um, but really technology has just made things so much easier. I mean, I was actually just doing an interview yesterday, and I, and I, I was talking about, you know, the dream was always to get on a tour bus. And the problem is, is that when you, when you got on a tour bus in two, you know, which our first one was 2003, so 20 years ago, you know, your bus driver drives you to where you're going, and then he leaves, he, he goes to his hotel, that's his job.
Speaker 3 00:04:52 He sleeps until it's time to drive you again. He's done with it. So you're stuck where you're stuck. And so before the days of Uber and Uber Eats and you know, those things, to, to be able to get something, you know, if you were in the middle of nowhere, you were in the middle of nowhere, you know? And so we sort of missed the van being able to just jump in the van and go where we wanted to. So, um, you know, that, I think that's the biggest change too. And obviously cell phones <laugh> are nice. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:05:19 Not
Speaker 3 00:05:20 Bad to have, be able to call home when we want to, and, you know, those things. So, um, yeah, man, it's, it's, you know, obviously it's a big, big change over the last 30 years, um, and, uh, pr 90% of it for the better.
Speaker 2 00:05:37 Yeah, no, I could imagine, you know, technology, everything. Of course, for better or for worse, more technology could be good, you know? But, um,
Speaker 3 00:05:45 Yeah, I mean, definitely better when you're out on the road. You know, it's, it's, uh, you know, sometimes when you're at home you sort of wish and, you know, I mean, you know, I'm still in that, that mode of, of really trying to keep my social media presence going and trying to make sure that I'm doing enough. And, you know, I hate the fact that if, if I haven't done a two or three TikTok videos in a day, that it's a stress point for me. But, you know, I mean, that's just part of the gig, you know, it, it, uh, it used to, that's the thing, that's one of the negatives of technology. That wasn't a factor in 2003 when you got home. You were just home, you know, you had to answer MySpace messages or whatever. But, you know. Yeah. Uh, it's, um, you know, that, that part, but I, yeah, I'll take the good with the bad on, on all that.
Speaker 2 00:06:30 Yeah, for sure. Um, and the thing about you guys is that you could go back and watch videos or read articles, look at pictures from back to the beginning, and you all have seemed very close. Um, oh, yeah. Uh, is that, like, so saying that when you go on tours like these, um, and like you said, you have families, you have your own stuff to deal with. Like, is it still like that same comradery as it was from at the beginning?
Speaker 3 00:06:58 Yeah, it's funny. We were, uh, we were sitting and eating, uh, at a show in Germany. Uh, sorry.
Speaker 2 00:07:06 You're good.
Speaker 3 00:07:07 Been a long day <laugh>. We were sitting eating lunch, um, all at the same table in this big room full of other tables. Um, and, uh, Chris from Less than Jake walked in. We were in Germany, and he just goes, oh my God, you guys still sit together when you eat? And it's like, we do, we're always together. We do the same things on days off. We're, you know, like, and if somebody else doesn't want to do it, then we don't do that. And, uh, yeah, it's, that's a big part of our band. Um, a really big part of it is the closeness of us, but not just us. I mean, you know, our, a lot of our crew have been with us 20 years, 10 years, you know. Okay. Um, so it's, it's a big family, but, but closer than family, you know, we're, um, we're, uh, we enjoy being around one another. We look forward to it. And yeah, we sit together when we eat lunch <laugh>. And so, uh, not all bands do that. And, and that's fine. A lot of, you know, we see a lot of bands come through and they're, everybody on days off they go do their own thing. And, and that, that's, that's cool too. It just, you know, we have found each other's company to be, uh, it's, it's still, it's still like that, you know, still fun.
Speaker 2 00:08:15 Good. Um, 'cause like, so I'm 25. I grew up listening to you just like everyone my age did. Um, yeah. So, um, and it's kind of weird to see, and obviously I'm sure you've seen it, this big resurgence of Yeah. Pop punk, like anything of that. Ill even like Pop Barss, like Olivia Rodrigo is very big right now, and Yeah. And she even has, I could even sense some of that in her music. And she's on like, all the top 40 stations, uh, right. So from your point of view, like, what do you think of that? Or like, how, when did you realize that was coming back?
Speaker 3 00:08:51 You know, it, it always sort of ebbs and flows. I mean, I think that's, that's just one of the, I'm, I'm glad that, that, that our, a lot of people don't like to put labels on things. I'm glad that our genre has a label, you know, the the pop punk thing, because to me it's like eighties hair, metal, you know? Yeah. It's like, and probably that's probably what your parents listen to, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And so, you know, that goes and, and Waves and nineties country, you know, the, that goes in ways. It's like eighties hip hop, it goes, and ways, and, you know, grunge will probably have a weird comeback at some point. And so, um, once you get to the point where we are at now, where it's like, it's been long enough to where like a whole generation has gone, come and gone.
Speaker 3 00:09:30 Now you have new artists that are coming out and they're adapting to the genre, and it's awesome. I mean, you know, I, there's a lot of people who will talk negatively about a, a machine gun Kelly, or a Mod Son, or Olivia, Rodrigo, like any of any of those things. I mean, for me, it's such a positive thing. It's like, I, I love the fact that a kid that's listening to M G K will, you know, if he go, if he lasts on a playlist for 20 songs, he's going to hear 1985, our high school never Ends. Yeah. <laugh>, I like that. You know? And I also like what the genre has done, it's reached out and pulled some people in that really weren't a part of it. You know, there's like, like the AVR Levines of the world really weren't, I mean, that she was a pop artist who like, had a skateboard in a video, you know?
Speaker 3 00:10:17 But that now, but because it's the lines get blurred with time, she's the queen of Pop punk, and I'm fine with that. You know, I, I think that's great. I li I like her music. I think, you know, she's worked with a lot of my friends. Um, but yeah, I, you know, it, it can't be, it's, it's nothing but good for me, you know? Um, I, machine Gun Kelly comes out and tears up the charts, and my streaming numbers are up. So I, I, you know, it's not all financial for me. I, I just like the attentiveness of the audience, you know? I like that, you know, that Simple Plan and Newfound Glory and All American Rejects and Some 41 and Offspring and, and Bowling for Soup and Mess and Blink 180 2, we're all out on the road right now. Yeah. And, you know, and, and all of our biggest hits we're in the two thousands. Yeah. You know, there's, uh, you know, with exception of possibly, we'll see what happens with Blink 180 2, but for the rest of us, the days of Hits are over. Yeah. And have been for quite some time. Um, so it's, it's cool. I I I, I love the fact that the genre has this longevity.
Speaker 2 00:11:18 Right. And you mentioned the e and flows of it. Uh, 'cause obviously there's always trends. Everything's trending. It goes down, it goes up, like you said, and you said also said that days of Hits are over. Is that right? How is is that hard to accept when you realize that it's like that? And how do you ride that trending wave over the years?
Speaker 3 00:11:40 It's not really hard to accept, because it really wasn't something that we set out to do anyway. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, so I mean, the fact that, you know, hit started in 2003 and went through about 2007 when we got dropped from Jive Records in 2009, it was very apparent that that, and by that, by that time, we really knew what the score was. I mean, the kind of radio that played us, what had really, really moved into like, an urban sort of, uh, what they call rhythmic, um, kind of sound. And so there just was nothing that sounded like us on the radio anymore. It just wasn't a thing. And so I, it, it didn't even, it's so really, it just, it, it's not something that I'd I'd ever dwelled on. Like, oh, we'll never have another hit. It was just like, oh, you know, like, those days are over.
Speaker 3 00:12:28 What do we go to now? Thank goodness. Like, you know, now we have the internet and we have social media, we have all these other avenues that really, to me, are way more specific. And, and, you know, with I, I realize there's speed bumps, but you can, you can sort of control it and you can get things to your audience. It takes a lot of work, and sometimes money, but you can, and, you know, sometimes being on the radio, on a radio station didn't necessarily mean that you were gonna do well in that market. You know, we were, we, we would, you know, be number two on the countdown in Wichita, Kansas, and go to Wichita, Kansas, and four people would show up at the show, you know? So, um, it, it never hits, didn't really drive the band. So it really wasn't a thing of, of, uh, you know, it, it just, you know, those days, those days of us, of it being our time are just behind us. And, uh, you know, and, and, and you never know. I mean, it does just take one song. Any of the bands that I mentioned could have another one. I doubt very seriously. Any of the bands that I miss mentioned <laugh>, besides <inaudible> to think they're gonna have another hit. Yeah. But I don't know. You know, I, I don't, uh, that's not something we speak about when we have coffee. Right? Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:13:41 No one wants to bring that up. But yeah, you mentioned some earlier, it's a shame that they're calling it, you know, I, I'm sure they have reasons, but like, still, you know, I'm actually seeing, I'm seeing them in like two weeks, I think with the Offspring now that I,
Speaker 3 00:13:56 Great show Offspring, simple Plan, some 41, it's a great shot. They, they came here and unfortunately I wasn't able to go. A bunch of my friends went. And, uh, you know, all those bands are my boys. Um, you know, and, and I, I really do like to see bands continue to go. I do understand some 41, you know, they've all got wives and kids, and maybe just other plans. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know. Yeah. Um, they've been, you know, Derek's been through a lot health-wise. And, uh, you know, you just never know. I honestly do not know the specifics of, of what's of, of why ev everybody's got guesses. But, you know, I, uh, I can, I can certainly understand wanting to go out on top. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:14:37 And, um, and like some bands like you're alluding to, like, they just have to call it quits sometimes. And like, you see it, it a lot with the hair metal bands, like, um, 100%,
Speaker 3 00:14:47 Like
Speaker 2 00:14:47 Rat is one that comes to mind. Like, they become, I believe it's called Legacy Bands. That's the, yeah. Nice term for it. A lot of people just say, oh, another tribute band. But what's your, what do you think about that? Like, if, if a band, like, do you, a lot of people say it's usually split in half, oh, it's a rip off, or, oh, it's, I don't care. I personally don't care. But what do you think about that? Right.
Speaker 3 00:15:09 About, about which part of that? About the Legacy thing? Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:15:13 Like if, uh, what do you mean? Do you, if you'd like to answer that, do you think it, it's more of like, okay, this is kind of just a money grab you going under the name. Oh,
Speaker 3 00:15:22 I see what you're saying. I see what you're saying. Yeah. Um, you know, I think that I, I just think that you should, I think that you should, you should make music as long as you want to make music, and as long as it makes sense, you know, I, I, I've seen some bands that I really, really looked up to in the eighties, uh, you know, over the course of time that play to very small crowds. And it, it's sort of, it's, it's sort of hard to listen to and hard to watch. You know, you can almost just, but, but you know, it's the Brett Farve effect, you know, it's like, gosh, how do you really know when it's time? Yeah. You know, like you, you could be Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, you could go out there and it could, it could start back up again.
Speaker 3 00:16:05 And it sort of does for bands like Skid Row. Yeah. You know, who are like, you know, they, they, they, that band has had such major dips and, and all of those things. And, and now I look at the crowds, they're playing in front of it, and it's like, god damn good for them, you know, for sticking it out. So, you know, I don't know. I think, here's the thing about Money Grab. I mean, it's their job. <laugh>. Yeah. So if there's a way to go out there and to make some revenue to feed your family, then you fucking do it. Yeah. You know, and, um, you know, and I, I, I think that there's, there's ethics and, you know, there's some, you, you want to be taken seriously, but, you know, I, I like that a lot of those bands are still out there and doing it. And, and a lot of 'em still sound great, man. I saw, um, I saw Warrant and Firehouse recently, and both those bands sound better than they did in the eighties. I mean, it was unbelievable.
Speaker 2 00:16:56 Yeah. C CJ Snares voice is amazing. And it always has been. That guy blows my mind. It's just,
Speaker 3 00:17:04 It's crazy. Yeah. How good that guy can still sing. Yeah. I mean, it is, um, you know, some people just have that, that gift, you know, and, and, uh, he certainly does.
Speaker 2 00:17:13 Yeah. Sebastian Bach too. He is another one, but
Speaker 3 00:17:16 He can still do it. Sebastian's a buddy of mine. Um, and, uh, so, you know, that guy and I, it's funny when I mention Skid Row, 'cause I always worry that people are gonna <laugh> like, get in the comments or whatever, because they know that me and Sebastian are buddies. But, you know, I, I'm a fan of that band. Um, and, you know, I, I, uh, but Sebastian can still whale. That dude can still sing. It's, uh, it's fucking great. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:17:42 Um, but yes, like, when you talk about like, relevancy, it's like, with you guys, like what I see, especially your presence on social media is you're killing TikTok. I think I, like, every time I'm scrolling, I'll stop and watch. 'cause there's always something. It's, it's like, not even just like, funny stuff. It's also like, I didn't like fun facts and stuff that no one would know. Yeah,
Speaker 3 00:18:06 Yeah,
Speaker 2 00:18:06 Yeah. Was jumping into like, the TikTok game. 'cause a lot of musicians hate it, and they'll be very honest with you about it. But was that hard to do? Or was it just easy?
Speaker 3 00:18:16 It is. So right up my alley, <laugh>, I'm a theater kid, and it, I really, I kick myself. It's just like podcasts. Like, I got into podcasts and I, I, I, I, I got this really big audience really quick, but I didn't pay any attention to it. And by the time I started to really go, oh, okay, well, I'll take a podcast. Seriously, I'd kind of missed the boat. You know, like, I, I, it is really very hard to get people to listen to a podcast these days. It's fucking hard. Yeah. And, you know, and, and the thing is, is people are listening to this right now and going, well, wait a minute, everybody listens to podcasts. That's true. But everybody also has a podcast.
Speaker 2 00:18:53 Yeah. I'm one of 'em, <laugh>, it's just so
Speaker 3 00:18:54 Watered down. Exactly. It's so watered down. And so you, you know, you, you, you know, you, you have to really, really work hard at it. The same thing has happened to me with TikTok. I started at TikTok. I got a lot of followers really fast, and then I just didn't pay attention to it. And, you know, for a couple years. And had I, you know, 'cause even when I would post on it, people would be like, isn't that for little kids? And I'm like, I don't think so. <laugh>. You know? But, um, and obviously it's not anymore if it was, but, uh, yeah. I wish, I wish I'd a really, you know, but I'm having a ball with it. I have so much fun. And, you know, my, my family's cool about, like, my wife will let me stop in the middle of pretty much anything we're doing.
Speaker 3 00:19:36 Um, you know, obviously there's exceptions Yeah. <laugh>, but, uh, <laugh>, you know, and, and like, oh, I, I should film this and then I'll come back and I'll do something with this later. Or, you know, and she, she writes, sometimes she'll just be like, Hey, this is a good TikTok video. Do this. And, you know, my kids are the same way. So, uh, I enjoy it. It's, it's, it is very, uh, it is very tapered to my personality, you know, of, of me just talking to nobody, but it could be anybody. Yeah. But I, I, I really do thrive in that environment, so thank you for the kind words. I, I definitely, um, am enjoying doing it. And, uh, and I mean, it, it, it's, uh, it's really fun for me. I do over obsess sometimes though. Like, I will, I'll have something else to do, and I spend four hours on a 35 second video, you know? And then it doesn't do well. And I'm like, dammit,
Speaker 2 00:20:26 <laugh>. Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3 00:20:27 That's part of the game.
Speaker 2 00:20:28 Yeah. Um, it's funny, I'm just thinking like a lot of the people, like, because it's around my age, maybe a little younger, the probably the biggest demographic on it. And, and, uh, I was just wondering like, like the, like, 'cause you sang the Phineas and Ferb theme song, but Yeah. I'm trying to think. I wonder if a lot of people know that on TikTok, and
Speaker 3 00:20:50 It's, I think, you know, most people it's, it's funny because I have people that follow me because I'm Chuck E. Cheese. Yeah. <laugh>. I have people that follow me for FIA and Ferb. I have people follow me bowling for soup, you know? And, and it's, and sometimes when the three, when the things cross over, people will go, whoa, I didn't even know that that was a thing, you know, or, I didn't know you were doing this. Or, and so, um, I mean, that's one of the cool parts of it is that, you know, people that discover you are, I mean, it's still every single day. Yeah. I get one comment or two or five or 10 where it's just like, holy shit, I can't believe you. You're even on here. You guys were my favorite band, or You guys helped me through a breakup, or you guys have always made me laugh.
Speaker 3 00:21:30 And, um, and so, you know, it's, uh, I I feel like also TikTok, it's, you know, coming from, from a, a world of like, making videos for YouTube, YouTube, that, that audience, they're so mean. I mean, everybody on YouTube is fucking ruthless. And the thing that I found when I switched to TikTok was it's a really positive, for me at least. And, and everything that I interact with, um, it's a very positive environment. And people will shut it down if somebody starts to be a dick. Like, everybody just goes, Nope, that's not gonna happen. <laugh>. And, uh, and I like that aspect of it. It's nice.
Speaker 2 00:22:06 Right. Awesome, man. Um, with, um, your genre and the bands, your peers who are touring now, is there still a sense of competition? Like maybe there that there was when you were first starting? Or is it more now just like, Hey buddy, what's up? There's where I'm playing, like, like a more of a comradery thing?
Speaker 3 00:22:27 Well, for us, I mean, we really didn't have the Battle of the Bands thing. Um, once, I mean, really, even by the time we got to be really popular, even here in Dallas in the late nineties, the venues did a really good job of keeping us all in it together by doing nights where you could go in v various venues for one price and things like that. So, uh, you know, there was definitely competition, but it, it wasn't anywhere near like, what it was. You know, when, when you're a kid and you're in a band and all that, but man, the, the thing that we had going for us, all of the bands that we're friends with, and, and most of the bands that we tour with was Warp Tour. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and Warp Tour put you on a level playing field. It didn't matter who the fuck you were, you still didn't know what time you were gonna play.
Speaker 3 00:23:15 You still had to load in your own shit. You still had to stand in line to eat like everybody else. It was, and every summer you did that, whether your band was King, shit, that year or not. You, you, same rules for everybody. And it was, it was nice. 'cause it was like, we all had to come and go to camp every summer. And, and, uh, so, you know, it really, in our genre, to me, I never really felt that. I know that there's a few bands out there that don't get along, but, um, quite frankly, for me, and, and any of the bands that I've mentioned today, or any of the bands that you've ever seen us on the road with, or the ones that we interact with, you know, um, the competition thing for me, I'm a don't hate congratulate guy. Like, I think anytime anybody wins, it's good for music, you know?
Speaker 3 00:24:00 Yeah. And, um, so I mean, I root for everybody. I love when people win. And, uh, you know, and to me, I don't, you know, it's like, I was actually, I made a point last night on somebody's Facebook posts, and it happens every year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thing comes out and people are pissed because such and such is up for it. And there, and the, the thing that people fall back on is always, well, they shouldn't be in because such and such isn't in. And I'm like, that's the most fucked up argument ever, <laugh>. Like, why do you take something away from somebody because somebody else doesn't have it? Yeah. Like, that's not the way life works, you know, like that. It's the, it's the, we shouldn't have to tear somebody else down so that somebody else can get what they deserve. They didn't get it. That's sad. That sucks, but it doesn't mean that these ones shouldn't.
Speaker 2 00:24:48 Right.
Speaker 3 00:24:49 You know, and I'm, that's the way that I am with, with everything, man. I just, you know, I mean, I think if somebody gets an opportunity that, that, that might've been something that, that we would've been up for or, or that, you know, that I think we would've done a good job at, it's still, it's just awesome, you know? Yeah. That they win. Yeah. I like when people win.
Speaker 2 00:25:07 Yeah. And that's a good, um, that's a good mindset to have, and especially in the Texas scene that Yeah. Your country music too. But before that, I, I have to ask you one thing, and this I wondered even before I started doing Raise Rowdy and doing the podcast and stuff. Okay. Unlike, unlike, uh, the lyrics in 1985, I am a big Limp Bizkit fan. And yeah, I was wondering, is there beef there? Like, was there beef there? No, no,
Speaker 3 00:25:37 Definitely not. I mean, we weren't big enough to be on, even on their radar. Um, I had heard that perhaps they were upset or that at least Fred was upset with us, you know, at least about the, or, I mean, you know, what I really equate it to is, is like, I would assume that like, he didn't lose any sleep over it. I I bet he was more just like, what a little shit. <laugh>, you know? Like, he was probably just like this fucking guy, you know? Because <laugh>, you know, I mean, it, it, it, it was just done obviously in jest and, um, you know, uh, but no, and you know, um, and me, there's actually a TikTok right now out, uh, about me and Aaron Lewis meeting up at Redding Festival and us bearing the hatchet Yeah. And me telling him there's no hatchet, you know?
Speaker 3 00:26:23 Yeah. Like, there's no hatchet. I, you, you're the, you're the face of this. It's your tattoos and your head mm-hmm. <affirmative> that everybody sees when they think about this kind of music. It's your head, his Red Hat. Yeah. <laugh>, you know, that's, and you can't run from that if you, you're an easy mark dude. And it should be more of a, you know, I hope, I hope that you can see it as more of a sign of respect of like, Hey, we wrote this song about bands that are mad at their dads, and you're the guy <laugh>, right? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, and, um, you know, he, he seemed to, you know, we, we definitely, uh, we definitely made up and, and, uh, but no, no beef. We've never had any, uh, that I know of. You don't have any beef with anybody. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:27:03 He seems like a pretty, pretty nice dude. At least nowadays. I like when you look at the stuff he puts up, he seems really laid back. So, you know, whatever. <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:27:11 No, I think I, I only know things that I hear and, and, you know, that's, that's only as good as the person telling you, you know? And so I, who, who the fuck knows? But I can, I can say that he was very kind to me and my ex-wife and, uh, and, and the rest of my band, and they, the, I don't smoke, but they all got very, very high and everybody was very, very happy. So, uh, it was a, it was a glorious day. Yeah. If
Speaker 2 00:27:35 There was a hatchet, then it was buried
Speaker 3 00:27:38 There. If there was a hatchet, it's buried. Yeah. It's somewhere on a racetrack
Speaker 2 00:27:43 <laugh>. But, um, so, uh, let's talk about your, uh, solo, uh, country album and story behind that. Man. Um, so I'm, I with Ray Rowdy, I do write-ups in articles and stuff in addition to this. And I focus a lot on the Texas and Red Dirt scene out there. Um, yeah. So when I discovered that you dropped an album, I was ecstatic. Um, so I guess, yeah. So what got you, obviously you, you grew up in Texas, uh, but like, what got you into making music, like Texas music? Texas country music, I should say?
Speaker 3 00:28:19 Yeah, I mean, you know, uh, making a country record is something I wanted to do for a long time. Um, but I did, I, I didn't wanna make a polished, you know, Nashville Country record and let me back up and say, that has nothing to do with what I think about Nashville Country. Mu it doesn't matter whether I lack it or not, it was really coming from more of a organic sort of production side of things. Because Bowling for Soup is a very, very polished band. Like, our stuff is very tight and very, there's a lot of spit shine, you know? And, and everything is really, really, uh, meticulous in, in that, you know? And, and it sounds funny to say that about a band that doesn't take themselves seriously, but that's reality. Yeah. And I wanted it to be looser, and I wanted it to sound like the country that I grew up listening to with my parents.
Speaker 3 00:29:12 And, uh, so Texas Country is something that I listen to. It's something that I have friends that do. And, uh, so it's just, it sort of just became like the, what do you say? The, um, the obvious, you know, the, it was the obvious place for me to reside. And the Red Dirt area, we say Texas, but obviously it includes Oklahoma and Colorado. And even when we're <laugh>, I'm up there. It's funny they say Texas Country. Yeah. But it's like, and this guy's from Oklahoma City, you know, <laugh>. Um, but, uh, but yeah, I, you know, it just, I, I, I find the music to just be, I I way more relatable, less cookie cutter. There's cookie cutter aspects to it, but there's cookie cutter aspects to all music. Um, but, you know, you find it very difficult to like, hear one song and, and be able to sing the next song to the same chords in Texas country and in Nashville, that's not always the case. So, um, I just wanted it to be unique and organic, and I wanted to make like a Willie Nelson record. Yeah. Um, and so yeah, that's what I did. And, uh, you know, it came out better than I thought it would be, if I'm being completely honest. I really didn't expect to it to be as good as it is <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:30:29 Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3 00:30:31 And I'm, uh, which is, I, it's gotta be weird to hear somebody say that, but it really, I honestly did. I don't know that I had that much confidence in myself. Um, so I'm obviously very proud of it. And, uh, we are, um, I mean, I'm having a lot of fun. The band's been together a little over a year now. Record's been out about a year and a half. We're on our third single, uh, it is so close to top 20, it's not even funny. And, um, you know, just, uh, having a ball doing it, man. I bought a, I bought a, I traded in my wife's car and got a Van <laugh>, so I'm back in the van again. That's
Speaker 2 00:31:08 What you wanted, right? That's,
Speaker 3 00:31:10 I had to do it, man. I had to do it.
Speaker 2 00:31:13 Awesome. But yeah, when, yeah, when I saw that, when I saw that that album dropped, it was like, I didn't know what to expect. I knew I was gonna like it anyway 'cause I'm such a fan. But like, I was like very surprised at how, what, like, it just seemed like you slid so easily into that genre and it, it was just so impressive.
Speaker 3 00:31:33 Thanks, dude. I mean, you know, growing up here did not hurt. Um, you know, I, uh, I, yeah, I, it it was a very easy transition, that's for sure. I mean, the writing really doesn't change. I mean, I can play you a bowling for soup song on acoustic guitar and play it the way that I wrote it. And you're like, oh my God, that sounds country. 'cause they all just do, you know, when they're all written and then it's, it's this, you know, it's, it's kind of putting all the extra things on it, putting a little, a little, eh, in my voice, and putting some fast drums and some harmony guitars on there. And then doubling all of that, then putting about seven layers of harmonies and, you know, and then you've got a Bowling for Soup song. So, um, yeah, it was a, it was a fairly easy transition.
Speaker 2 00:32:17 Yeah. It's, it's funny you say that because like, 'cause Bowling for soup songs are heavy with the storytelling and with country, that's what country is. So you saying that that kind of puts the puzzle pieces together, like that makes a lot of sense. It does.
Speaker 3 00:32:33 Thank you, man. And thanks for picking up on that. And yeah, that's the point. Like, I, you know, I, that's my, my wife says it all the time, like, I'll write a, I, she likes all of my songs, but she's like the best ones, or the ones where you tell stories. And it's, it's, uh, it's true. I mean, those are the, those are the Bowling for soup songs that resonate with people too. So, um, yeah. It's, uh, it, you know, that, that's how I learned, you know, I guess to write songs. Was sitting there listening to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings Tell Story, Kenny Rogers. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, Dolly Parton, you know, that those are, those are some amazing storytellers.
Speaker 2 00:33:08 Yeah. Um, with, when you started to work more in the Texas scene was how would were your peers that you like, uh, I know I see you, uh, I saw you post with Bree Bagwell, who I've kinda worked with on, uh, with Ray Rowdy before and her, and like whoever else. Was it easy to get into that clique? 'cause it can be a little tight knit, it might seem intimidating to like a person who's new to it. How, how well did you get in there?
Speaker 3 00:33:38 Um, luckily for me, I had had, you know, I already knew Casey Donahue. Um, me and Randy Rogers had played on a, uh, on a celebrity softball team together, you know, old, um, not old nine seven. Eli. Eli Young Band is from Denton. So I already had a few allies, Cody Canada's long time friend of mine. Um, I had a few allies already. Uh, and what I found though was that it, Bree Bagwell's a pulling for soup fan, you know? And so for me, you know, when, when it was approached to her to put me on that first show, um, that's absolutely how I got it, was because I'm in Bowling for soup. And, uh, we hit it off. And so now we've done a bunch of stuff. We have other things in the works that we're gonna be doing together, uh, in the next few months.
Speaker 3 00:34:32 And, um, that's kind of been the story here on out. You know, I get a lot of opportunities, I'm gonna be honest, um, because of my experience, um, in the music business and with Bowling for Soup, and then I have to prove myself once I'm given the opportunity. And so I'd taken it very, very seriously. And, uh, I've been really lucky. The bands, the promoters, the radio stations, the venues, uh, everybody's been so gracious and kind, and, you know, we've had shows that really worked, and we've had a couple that didn't. And, uh, but you know what, man, we, we got up there and we did what, what, what, what I used to do in Bowling for Soup when I didn't know if people were gonna be there. We just did the best damn show we could. And, and, uh, just, you know, that's what we're gonna keep doing.
Speaker 2 00:35:15 Yeah. And I'd be, I'm curious to hear your opinion on this. Uh, so the Texas scene, people think country music, um, nowadays, um, you got people like co wetzel, uh, like mm-hmm. <affirmative>, Austin, Mead Reed, south Hall mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And it's leaning more rock, not leaning all the way, but you know, it spits out, it's like a web or umbrella. Uh, do you, do you, what do you think of that? Like, do you, like it's genre bending kind of, is that, do you think it should be separated, or do you like, should just let it fly? Because I personally, I love it because I'm a rock guy. Yeah. But what do you think about all that? Yeah,
Speaker 3 00:35:56 I'm the same way. I'm, I'm a big fan of diversity. Um, you know, I think, I don't think it's anything unlike what Texas country and Americana music have been doing for the last however many years. Like, to me, the lines of Americana are so blurred. It's hard for me to tell somebody you, I swear to God, that's true. Usually someone has to tell me that it's an Americana song or band makes, like, I, I really can't often fucking tell the difference, you know? Like, I'll be like, okay, so Americana is Tom Petty, and they're like, yeah, but it's also the Wilder Blue. And I'm like, that makes no fucking
Speaker 2 00:36:32 Sense to
Speaker 3 00:36:33 Me. <laugh>. Like, I, I, you know, but, and that's just it. Like, to me, I think you have like a Cody Canada guy who came out of Cross Canadian ragweed, and that band was a rock band, you know, who did some country shit, you know? And, uh, I mean, that dude was up there with a Silver Electric director guitar sweeping on his guitar shit. Yeah. Like, you know, that they, they were rock and roll, you know? And, uh, so yeah, I, you know, I think that, I think, I think you sort of get to one place and then you're like, okay, this is teetering the line. But it's, uh, yeah. I love Austin Meade, by the way. And, uh, I, I, things I don't, I haven't heard, I'm gonna be honest, I haven't heard a lot of co wetzel, but everything that I've heard I've really liked.
Speaker 3 00:37:12 Um, and, uh, we have a lot of mutual friends, so I'm sure he's great. But, um, I, uh, yeah, I, you know, to me it all just kind of, it, you know, it's not, it's sort of like, um, how like Blackberry smoke, you know, finds it where they find their place all the time. It's like, where do you put that band? You know, uh, you put 'em on the country station, you put 'em on a rock. I mean, they sound like they could go on a classic rock station. Yeah. But that doesn't make any sense. Right. You know, it's, uh, but blurred lines are good, you know, I think blurred lines are good.
Speaker 2 00:37:43 Yeah, for sure. And, um, but yeah. Uh, with Cody Canada, 'cause I was actually gonna ask you that earlier, but you already talked about it, but how, how'd you, um, with like, ragweed, I think they're, they're pioneers in the red dirt scene. Like, there was nothing like that that I know of back Yep. Until they came out and they pushed that whole rock thing forward. How did you, um, first meet Cody? Like how did that all come about?
Speaker 3 00:38:10 So it was back in those days, actually, uh, late nineties. And, uh, those guys were doing a lot of colleges. We were doing a lot of colleges. Uh, we found ourselves doing a bunch of the same festivals and, uh, and then, and then started just running into each other on the road. It's very organic. Uh, and, and he and I stayed in touch. And so we've done a few song swaps over the years. And it, you know, for me, this is always the biggest compliment in the world, but somebody that you, that you grow up and you, you respect so much, then their kids grow up loving your band. That's, that's what happened with, uh, with them, you know? Yeah. And, uh, so, and you know, Dirks Dirks and I now text back and forth 'cause he's, he's a grown ass man now. <laugh> just such an incredibly talented kid.
Speaker 3 00:38:50 But, you know, um, yeah, just, you know, stayed in touch over and, you know, he was just always very, very gracious to me. And, um, anytime we ran into one another, you know, it was a, a nice hug. And, and, uh, so I, yeah, I think the world of him, I think he is for sure on the Mount Rushmore of Texas country. Uh, and again, he's from Oklahoma, but <laugh>, you know, I, uh, I'm a, I'm a huge fan of him and, uh, and his family. And we just had a thing where his, Shannon, his wife, who's his manager, um, you know, baked Rob's birthday cake for him when we were down in Braunfels and brought it up on stage. And, uh, just, you know, they're, they're like family to us. And, and, uh, and I thank the world of all of
Speaker 2 00:39:35 'em. Well, that's awesome to hear that. It's so tight knit that out west out there. That that's awesome to hear. Oh, yeah. Um, so I guess, man, uh, what are, do you have any, um, I guess country and bowling for soup? Uh, do you have any upcoming work that you're gonna be dropping soon? I know, uh, you just put out, um, shit, forgive me, I can't forgive the, forget I can't remember the title. It, it's, uh, songs that everyone liked or something like that. <laugh>. That's
Speaker 3 00:40:01 Okay. That's, so, that's, so our, our first greatest hits was called songs. People actually liked Volume One <laugh>, uh, that came out a few years ago. And that was the first 10 years. Uh, our next one comes out and, uh, as if Bowling for Soup in, in True Bowling for Soup style, it's very random. It's called songs. People actually like Volume two, the next six years, um, <laugh>. And so we're six years into our 30 year career that comes out Aug uh, late August. And, uh, the new version of 1985 b f s version is out there now, all intact. Sounds amazing. Sonically, y'all can go stream that. Um, Boeing for Soup on tour, all, uh, this fall with Messed and with Authority Zero coming to a town near you. We got big plans in January, and in the spring next summer, we'll be out celebrating 30 years of Bowling soup and 20 years of a hangover you don't deserve. And, um, country-Wise, I got new music coming out. I got a bunch of shows on the calendar, so you can go to jar ray reddick.com, check that out, or bowling for soup.com if you are, uh, wanting to see some pop punk.
Speaker 2 00:41:07 Oh yeah, man. Uh, and real quick, you mentioned, uh, authority Zero. Um, so I was looking at the openers for this, uh, upcoming tour. Uh, what did you handpick those?
Speaker 3 00:41:18 Yeah, always. Yeah, I'm, uh, I'm pretty lucky and that, uh, you know, for most of my career I've been able to handpick who we take on the road with us. And, uh, so Authority Zero, it's another one of those man that we met, uh, they had a, a hit called One More Minute that Crossed over. And, uh, we, we were on the road, I think at the time, uh, promoting Girl, the Bad Guys One, I think this is pre 1985. Um, 'cause I feel like we were in a van, but gosh, we've known those guys a real long time and Mess. We met in, uh, 2003 Warp Tour. So, um, you know, it's a, uh, it's gonna be a lot of fun. There's, it's a bunch of dudes that have known each other for a really long time out there on the road, so who knows what's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 00:42:01 Right on, man. Well, that, that's exciting stuff. Um, I'm gonna definitely try and I'm gonna definitely, you're coming to Cincinnati? I believe so I'm gonna definitely catch that one. So, um, I'm on. Yeah, I'm excited. And, you know, you should be too. Like, that's huge. See, you guys still going, especially you have that going on. You have your own podcast, you got your country album, everything. So that's awesome, man. And, um, it's
Speaker 3 00:42:24 Nonstop. My, my son is 10. He said, dad, how many jobs do you have <laugh>? And I said, well, I used to say 12. Uh, and I, I said, I used to say 12, and I was just kind of kidding. But now I think I have more than that. Right.
Speaker 2 00:42:35 <laugh>. But, uh, Jarret, man, thanks a bunch. It, it means a lot. I appreciate you hopping on here.
Speaker 3 00:42:42 Thank you, brother. Thanks for having me, man. Thanks everybody for, for checking it out. Yep. Uh,
Speaker 2 00:42:47 Stay, stay on here for like a minute after I sign off here, if you don't mind. Then we'll see if everything, you know, uploads and stuff. But anyway. Sounds good. Yeah. Thank, thanks everyone for listening. Uh, this is Sam with Jarret Reddit, and this is Rowdy Alternative. Y'all have a good night.
Speaker 4 00:43:07 Do some.
