BOWLING FOR SOUP START THE “GET HAPPY” TOUR IN GLASGOW
California’s finest, Army Of Freshmen, open tonight’s show, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to take this place. Bounding out onto the stage they are full of energy, with frontman Chris Jay not staying on the one spot for more than a second. This energy takes over the ever filling venue and challenges anyone who enters not to bounce along with them.
With tonight being the “Get Happy” tour (Army Of Freshmen also appeared on the same tour here in 2007) these guys are the sheer definition of happiness when watching them. Each member plays with a huge smile on their face and you can tell they’re having the time of their lives.
Standouts of their set come in old fan favorites “10,000 years” and set closer “Juliet” which has the now near full venue bouncing along with the band.
Hopefully they’ll be back for their own headline tour soon and when they are, don’t miss them!
We caught up with Chris Jay after the show for an interview, which can be found
here.
Up next are Orange County’s The Aquabats. By far the most unique band on the bill, they take to the stage clad in skin tight superhero costumes and kick into their set.
With a generally rocky sound to them, their songs are very tongue in cheek. We get a tune about a two headed cat, “Cat With 2 Heads!”, which stands out as one of the catchiest of the evening.
Frontman The MC Bat Commander mentions how he’s heard that Scotland has the rowdiest crowd, even “fight a shark” rowdy, as the band then play “The Shark Fighter!” which comes complete with giant inflatable sharks being thrown out into the audience.
“Look At Me, (I’m A Winner)!” sees The MC Bat Commander leaping down into the photo pit to shine a torch on guitarist Eagle ‘Bones’ Falconhawk’s solo, which adds to the hilarity of their set.
What could possibly make the set even whackier? Well the day of the gig being national pizza day saw the band play the amazingly catchy “Pizza Day!”, this time with giant inflatable pizza slices being thrown out.
The bands crowd interaction is great throughout the set, with them getting everyone on the top balconies to dance, threatening a riot if they don’t. Further hilarity then ensues when they are interrupted by a character from outer space complaining they can hear their “awful music” and it is interrupting their sleep, and the worst villain of all “the party pooper” who brings the news that the set only has five minutes remaining.
They finish off with “Pool Party!” with giant inflatable beach balls making their appearance to round things off.
The Aquabats are a great watch, and an amazing fit for this package tour.