Bowling for Soup/ The Dollyrots/ Patent Pending/ Almost There - The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ May 7, 2011

by Frank Norek with Phil and Steve Rainone


We made it down to Wonder Bar, a cleaned-up joint across from the Boardwalk. Place was looking good; looking for another lease on life there…a nd the bands that showed up helped to drive the energy back into it.

Got there with our crew early, even before the first band, Almost There, went on. We enjoyed those guys; they blended and switched styles throughout, doing melodic tunes reminding us of Dashboard at times, or “Revolution” from Catch 22 at other times. Did a cover of Bob Marley’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” also. Kind of trying to find where they want to be, mixing it up in their short set. Good start…

Next came up a bundle of energy, Patent Pending. Energized maniacs, full of good ol’ time punk tongue-in-cheek fun. They had us cracking up the entire set. Soup later mentioned what fun it was to tour with them and the Dollyrots, saying these guys were lunatics with all the partying/banter. We can see it. Had a song or two reminiscent of Gaslight Anthem. One of our boys, Steve, went up onstage for the jumping jack ‘competition’, but LOST to the over-the-hiller (!??/!) He had a blast up there. Definitely recommend them for a good time.

Dollyrots - what to say but a lot! The Crew had interviewed them almost two years back and caught them a few months back a second time. Another interview this time (see under separate cover). As much fun as talking with them backstage was, they surpassed that onstage: Luis a cerebral kind of philosopher, Kelly a fun-time girl with brains, and Chris an easy-going ‘enjoying the ride’ kind of guy. On Joan Jett’s label, we can see why Joan picked them up. Continuing the Punk and rock non-tradition, Kelly did much of the lead vocals and resonated so much from the sweet sounds of the girl bands of punk/alternative of days gone by. How she can rip it up every night, yet still have that sweet vocal sound, don’t know how. They sometimes have that Josie & The Pussycats sound, but that is unfair in that they have developed their own style, and come across punkier live than on their recordings. They cranked out their fast-paced hard driving sound throughout, and third number out, did the Melanie cover “Rollerskate/Key” to pure punk bliss. We heard a good rocking groove from them throughout, got a tribute for the mom’s (‘I Like Jackie Chan’) and Family Guy chords. Kelly threw out her Jersey roots and shouted out to family still here in the Garden State. They were tight, Kelly and Luis worked the crowd hard; they ended with “Rock Star,” then covered their friend Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” to end it. They also got out to the merch tables immediately, and supported Soup and the crowd for the rest of the night. Personable, fun and real, this band was worth the ride down. Next stop was at the Highline in NYC - we know they rocked that place too!

Then they served ‘Soup’ last. Huh? Soup usually comes early in the meal, but not this brand band. These knucklehead headliners did not disappoint. Again, an interview very early with Greg, these guys love to play and pull their antics onstage to the delight of the masses. Started up with “Saturday Night” from the new recording - get it, it’s tons of fun- slipped next into “Hooray for Beer,” “Almost Had You,” and did a Wiener tune (with high vocals) after that. Comedians on par with Reel Big Fish, these guys entertain all night long, like the photo op hamming up in the middle of one song, their fun lyrics and styling, silly bantering with the crowd. They talked small town TX times, Scooby Doo slipped in there somehow, then NASCAR, then loving them local girls from America. They’re as American as cut-off jeans with a bandana and a black eye. Hope You like It comical as hell. “Punk Rock Runaway,” a great rocking tune, with the posing for camera shots in the middle. Then slowed down for “Turbulence,” great on acoustics - almost sounded like he was in love! Then onto “Great To Have Friends” - they couldn’t stay sentimental too long; moved on to “Shut Up and Smile.” Then onto ice cream and bitch girls, “Girls that the Bad Guys Want.” Every tune was sounding tight and fun- we had a smile on our faces the entire time. Ended their set with “My Jenny Five (1985),” rocking it harder. Encore, they came back to do the first tune from the last album - they mixed their most recent album, all good stuff, with their known hits in a fine mix.

Whether seeing them at Warped Tour with the massive crowds, or at this small venue, these guys know how to entertain; And with the crowd, they know how to make us enjoy these good times. And we did!

Another Look at The Same Show

By Stephen Rainone

This was the first time I’ve ever been to The Wonder Bar, and it was for The Dollyrots and Bowling for Soup. Very Awesome!

The Wonder Bar is a quaint venue with a lot of Asbury Park history (it even has a display case with some Asbury memorabilia) that appeals to those who love concerts at bars. The stage floor looked like a decent size ‘til the bands started playing. But still, it was enough room for them to rock out.

Sadly, I had missed most of the first band Almost There, due to doing interviews with Bowling for Soup and The Dollyrots. But from the two songs I caught, I was impressed, especially by the drummer. The moves he used to get the beats out left me awestruck, and that recharged my love for drums. The band did a cover of a Bob Marley song (“Buffalo Soldier”), and it was very good. Overall, the band had a nice jam/punk sound. Wish I caught more of them.z

Getting ready for the jumping jacks contest

The second band Patent Pending was awesome! Nice punk sound mixed with some zest. They played their hearts out. They seemed like they were straight outta college with energy and comedy. The crowd loved them; bouncing up and down, hands in the air, and singing along. At one point they asked for two volunteers. My hand went up immediately. So I got up on stage with this other guy, and it became a jumping jacks challenge! You had to do jumping jacks until the end of the song without stopping. If you had stopped, you had to take off your shirt. Long story short, I lost - removed my shirt, and bowed out.

Patent Pending also talked about those who are too depressed to talk to someone, even to them. They put some money into helping those who have depression, which totally rocks.


Dollyrots

The Dollyrots were up next. God, they rocked! The lead singer Kelly sang her butt off. They played an awesome cover of Melanie’s “Brand New Key” which Kelly’s voice was perfect for (cutesy, sexy, and tough). A lot of the songs they played were off their first album, “Because I’m Awesome.” The Dollyrots also left their door open (like Patent Pending) to anyone who needed to talk about depression. They played very energetically, and showed off their punk side by playing their instruments with heart, and bouncing around, pulling people on stage. It was an all around good time!


Bowling For Soup

Best of all, I finally got to see and interview Bowling for Soup after all these years!